One of the things that has frustrated me lately is the number of situations that could have been completely avoided if someone had simply shown up.
This week I dealt with an issue involving an agent who found themselves in trouble over something that had been covered not once, but multiple times. It was discussed at a sales meeting. It was included in a follow-up email. The information was available. Yet when the issue arose, the response was essentially, “I didn’t know.”
The problem is that “I didn’t know” doesn’t carry much weight in our business.
The DRE doesn’t care that you missed the meeting. The law doesn’t care that you were busy. A judge doesn’t care that you didn’t read the email. There is an expectation that licensed professionals know the rules governing their profession, whether they took the time to learn them or not.
Real estate has become increasingly litigious. Every year there are new laws, new disclosures, new fair housing requirements, new MLS rules, new forms, and new ways for agents to accidentally create liability for themselves and their clients.
That is why we hold sales meetings. That is why we have trainings. That is why your managers constantly send emails, reminders and updates.
None of this is done to fill your calendar. It is done because knowledge matters.
What I have learned over the years is that the agents who consistently invest in their education are usually the same agents who build the strongest businesses. They are curious. They ask questions. They stay current. They understand that learning is not something you do when business is slow. It is part of the job.
As managers, we have an obligation to provide oversight and education. In fact, every year we sign certifications with DRE acknowledging that we have oversight of our offices. But there is a partnership involved here. We can provide the information. We can provide the training. We can provide the coaching. We can provide the resources. What we cannot do is make someone show up.
When agents stop attending meetings, stop reading emails, and stop engaging in training because they are too busy, they don’t become more productive. They become more vulnerable. They become a risk to themselves, their clients, and the brokerage.
So my message this week is simple. Take your profession seriously. Invest in your education. Read the emails. Attend the meetings. Participate in the training. Learn the changes. Ask the questions.
In short, show up.