Is Excellence in Your DNA?

Some people do things well because they want the praise. They want the pat on the back, the public shoutout, the applause and the accolade.

But those who excel? For them, the driving motivator for going above and beyond is often far deeper. It’s just who they are.

They believe only the best will suffice, that nothing should be left to chance, that if something’s worth doing it’s worth doing well, and that true satisfaction comes from the quiet confidence of a job well done.

You can’t fake that level of commitment. Why? Because that attention to detail is the final and critical 10 per cent. It’s the care factor, the little things and the way they make people feel.

It’s part of what they do every day. And it;s about professional attention to detail that transcends every conversation they have and every action they take.

For those people, excellence is in their DNA. But it’s also a frame of thinking that can be adopted and learned.

The little things

Excellence occurs in the little things. It’s in the detail, the final 10 per cent, and the dotting of I’s and crossing of Ts. We’re not talking about neurotically cross-checking everything here or embracing the workaholic lifestyle.

Instead, excellence involves having solid systems and procedures in place, as well as the right people on your team.

True excellence manifests when people show up with care. It happens when you and your team are genuinely invested in the outcome and pull out all the stops to achieve that aim.

And it’s important to note, excellence doesn’t necessarily mean perfection. Even the best of the best make mistakes.

Excellence is achieved when you identify how or when something went wrong and create the checks, balances and systems to ensure it won’t happen again.

When no one’s watching…

Excellence needs to be ingrained in your business culture. It’s about doing the right thing, regardless of who is or who isn't watching.

It’s also about taking ownership. It’s about having genuine pride and joy in doing great work, with no expectation of applause and a pat on the back.

So what does excellence look like in our world, and what details need our attention to achieve that goal?

A culture of excellence

In our world, excellence is all about the little things that add up to create a seamless and stress-free real estate experience for our clients.

It’s arriving 15 minutes earlier to your open for inspection to set up.

It’s sending the buyer the contract before they ask.

It’s matching the language in your ad copy to the owner's own words.

It’s texting feedback to the vendor before they wonder.

It’s rehearsing your listing pitch the night before.

It’s having a checklist so your minimum client service standards are followed.

It’s having a daily team huddle to address the important - not just the busy - and making sure everyone’s on track.

And a hundred other things that often involve anticipating what might occur and taking the actions to ensure everything goes to plan.

It’s small things, done without a spotlight. Done because that’s your standard. Because it’s in your DNA.

Excellence gets noticed

While excellence shouldn’t be about the applause, make no mistake, it is something that gets noticed. Just as you take note when a barista remembers your order, vendors notice the little things. They notice the effort, detail, and follow-through.

And this excellence creates the word of mouth referrals and recommendations that build trust long before the listing agreement.

Is your DNA different?

True excellence is not about applause, it’s about proving your DNA is different. That different DNA lies in the bar you set when it comes to your business and operating standards.

So don’t chase the shoutout. Chase the standard and embed excellence in your business’ DNA. That’s where greatness lives.

About the Author

Manos Findikakis is the CEO of Agents’Agency, Australia’s first multi-brand real estate network, ‘the only fully integrated solution for you and your people to create an unforgettable experience.’

For all enquiries and more information on how the Agents’Agency can help you take your career to the next level, click here to get in touch.