How volunteer leadership benefits your business
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This document discusses how volunteer leadership can benefit a business. It outlines that volunteer leadership provides opportunities for professional growth through staying up to date on industry trends and regulations, gaining referral opportunities, and developing skills. Volunteer leadership also gives a business a competitive edge by keeping them ahead of competitors and providing access to new ideas and business opportunities. Additionally, volunteer leadership allows one to contribute to and be part of something bigger through helping to drive change within an industry, community, or country.
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How volunteer leadership benefits your business
- 1. How Volunteer Leadership Benefits Your Business Presented By: Sherri Souza Independent Women Brokers
- 2. How Does it Help Me? Professional Growth Gives you a Competitive Edge in Business You can Contribute to Something Bigger Personal Growth
- 3. Professional Growth You are more aware of what is happening in the industry and how it effects your business. You stay on top of the “Cutting Edge” Business tools and resources You are aware of the regulations and legislative issues that effect our business and your clients You have more Referral Opportunities
- 4. Competitive Edge It keeps you ahead of your competition You are introduced to new business resources and ideas sooner than most Gives you a larger pool of ideas to draw from for improving your business Gives you increased business opportunities Builds transferable skills that help you in business
- 5. Be Part of Something Bigger… Sometimes your business needs change Sometimes our industry needs change Sometimes our community needs change Sometimes our country needs change
- 6. Personal Growth Learn how to be a leader Assess your skills and talents Identify your boundaries and beliefs Build confidence in your abilities
- 7. Which Way Do I Go and How Do I Do It? Find a Direction that appeals to you Find an opportunity that will offer you training in skills you don’t have or areas you need improvement Make Your Wishes Known
- 8. Too Much Time? Make your Volunteerism Manageable Calendar your time, set aside the time that will add to your business The more you give the more you get back
- 9. Be Courageous Your Contributions Count Your Voice matters Be at the Table when those Hard discussions come up
- 10. Volunteer Leadership Is Not For Everyone! Those who want to improve on themselves Those who are looking for networks for change and improvement Those that have a burning desire or passion Those that make the time to give back!
Editor's Notes
- When you’re working hard to develop your real estate career, the idea of taking on a leadership role in an industry organization might seem lofty, but totally impractical. After all, there’s no time, and such roles would cut into your ability to actually be a REALTOR®. While that sounds reasonable, the exact opposite is true, according to many leaders, who say that industry involvement gives you the competitive edge to build your business. Taking on leadership roles within the real estate industry helps REALTORS® both personally and professionally. Whether they’re heading up the local association’s picnic committee or chairing a national task force, REALTORS® gain confidence, knowledge and contacts. Getting more involved in these organizations also can help REALTORS® better understand and even shape the direction of the real estate industry. Because I am involved in the real estate organizations, I can see what is happening around the country. As a result I can be more accurate in the knowledge and information I give my clients about what is really going on , not just the media take on our industry. Let’s look at each point…
- The tools, speakers and ideas I get introduced to in many of the National Conferences that I attend don’t get to the local association level for a few years! And some don’t ever make it there. Where do you go for your real estate information? Where do you hear about the regulatory and legislative issues that effect your business? Is it sometimes after the fact? After the bill has past and it’s too late? Or a client brings something to your attention that you have no idea about? Embarrassing, to say the least. In the traveling I have done I have met many very professional REALTORS that I wouldn’t hesitate referring business to if given the opportunity. And I am happy to say that last year, 50% of my business was from WCR referrals. Now it has taken me 10 years to build that referral business but it happens.
- While leadership roles can help a REALTOR® achieve his or her professional goals, anyone who volunteers with the expectation that sales contacts will start flowing in will probably be disappointed. Participating in a leadership capacity can make you more knowledgeable and confident – both qualities that can serve you well in negotiations. Once you work with people in a volunteer capacity, they’re more comfortable sending referrals your way.Serving in leadership roles in civic and charitable organizations outside the industry also can provide valuable experience, expand your client base, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the community. For starters, just the opportunity to see how other leaders handle setbacks and obstacles can be eye-opening. “You see that in leaders, they don’t get hung up on potential obstacles. Instead, they’ll find a way to get around them to achieve their goals. And, any leadership role can instill confidence. With that, you become more comfortable making decisions and giving others directions
- As Realtors we are masters of flexibility. Most of us are A type personalities and what could be a better fit for a leadership position than the skills we use everyday in our businesses? We realize that change is a necessity for improvement. Find the change you are looking for and lean towards that direction. It could be in your business, in the real estate industry, in your community – churches, PTAs, foundational efforts, office management, office ownership, Chambers of Commerce, rotarian clubs, networking groups, the possibilities are endless. Maybe you even entertain at times that you could serve as a leader on your city council, in your state legislature or the federal government. Whatever it is that makes your heart sing, move towards it. It’s all worth it! Be a part of something larger than yourself. You’ll be glad you did!
- Some say leaders are born not developed. I tend to disagree. I have always been told you can do anything you set your mind to! Leadership is a learned set of skills containing all the elements we observe, learn from others, or pay attention to. Sometimes identifying your talents can be difficult unless you have a prevalent talent like Felix has! Being around other leaders help you define your strengths and weaknesses and can lend to some valuable self knowledge. Being in enviroments that lend to diverse interests and talents helps you find those. It can assit you in defining personal boundaries and reevaluating your belief system to be truer to who you really are. Knowing this about yourself can help build self confidence in revealing your authentic self to more than just your family and friends. It can assist you in feeling more confident in every area of your life. Personal growth is powerful stuff!
- Once you’ve decided to take on a leadership role, you’ll need to make your wishes known. If you wait to be asked, you’re probably not going anywhere. Start at the local level, so you can gain experience without the pressure that accompanies national positions. The higher you get, the more training and skills you need to set yourself apart, If possible, try to participate in a committee that fits your experience and interest. If you happen to get involved in something that doesn’t quite pique your interest, you’re not as involved and it won’t really separate you from the others. Start where your passion is and where you’re more inclined to get involved mind, body and soul.
- As compelling as the benefits of leadership are, it doesn’t make sense to over-commit. It quickly becomes obvious if you are participating in industry associations to the exclusion of actually working as a REALTOR®, as you lose touch with the issues of greatest concern to REALTORS® out in the market each day. One of the reasons given most often by those who decide not to seek out leadership roles is the time commitment – perceived or real – that’s required. Some REALTORS® worry that taking on volunteer commitments, even within the industry, will cut into their ability to actually make money. That argument doesn’t hold up I’ve found that the more you give, the more you get back.”
- Once in a leadership commitment, you need to do the job to the best of your ability. However, that doesn’t mean censoring your thoughts when you disagree with others. Politely stating your viewpoint is necessary if an organization is going to be as effective as it can be. To withhold input out of fear of consequences hinders ensuring the best solutions are brought forward. It takes courage to lead, and not be in the ‘ready, aim, aim, aim’ syndrome, without ever getting confident enough to ‘fire.
- Some of you in this room, but many more who are not in this room, may find that this is not the path for them. Volunteering for no pay is not something that appeals to everyone. But I can tell you that I have seen with my own eyes the benefits that volunteer leaders receive on a regular basis. I believe in Karma and you get what you put out there! So take that burning desire or that passion to help others or to teach or to learn and put it to work for you in your business. The reward will be worth your time.