September means Back to Basics here at Inman. As real estate navigates the post-settlement era with new commission rules, real estate professionals from across the country will share what’s working for them, how they’ve evolved their systems and tools, and where they’re investing personally.
This post was updated Sept. 10, 2024.
I used to dismiss soft skills as just fluff, much like goal-setting. It was fine if I had time, and I knew every coach in the world would go off about it, but I had lead gen to do.
I had to learn the hard way that my mindset was holding me back.
Growing up, I believed that if I couldn’t do something perfectly, I shouldn’t do it. This fear of getting it wrong left me stressed, burnt out and disconnected. I thought that everything would fall into place as long as I worked hard and did what I saw work for others.
But that’s not how it works.
The turning point came when I realized that my real issues were being constantly distracted, worried and trying to live up to some impossible standard.
It wasn’t until I understood that I could permanently change my mindset that things began to shift.
It has become clear to me that soft skills are not just essential — they are transformative. Deeply connected to mindfulness, these skills are fundamental to excelling in any field. Let’s explore six critical soft skills (and the case studies to back them up) that unequivocally elevate your performance and your life.
Effective communication
Extensive research conducted by the Stanford Research Institute and Carnegie Mellon Foundation conclusively shows that 75 percent of long-term job success relies on soft skills, with communication paramount. Agents who can adeptly communicate with colleagues, clients, and superiors consistently outperform their peers and significantly contribute to their organization’s success.
Emotional intelligence
A study by TalentSmart unequivocally demonstrates that 90 percent of top performers possess high emotional intelligence, a crucial soft skill. Individuals with high emotional intelligence display remarkable resilience, adaptability, and excellence in managing workplace relationships, leading to substantial improvements in job performance and career advancement.
This means that developing emotional intelligence can significantly enhance job performance and career advancement. High EQ enables better resilience, adaptability and management of workplace relationships, leading to more effective client interactions and successful transactions.
Collaboration and teamwork
Google’s research on its own teams leaves no room for doubt — successful teams exhibit high levels of psychological safety, where members feel secure taking risks and being vulnerable with each other. This solidifies the critical role of soft skills related to collaboration and teamwork in creating an environment conducive to outstanding individual and collective achievements.
For real estate professionals, this means creating a team culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and feedback without fear of judgment. This can lead to better problem-solving, more creative solutions, and ultimately, greater success in your projects.
Adaptability
The COVID-19 pandemic has unequivocally underscored the importance of adaptability as a critical soft skill. Agents who swiftly adapted to remote work and changing market conditions fared far better during the crisis. Real estate professionals who demonstrated adaptability pivoted effectively and significantly contributed to their success during challenging times.
Problem-solving
A study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience affirms that individuals with strong problem-solving skills possess superior cognitive abilities and are significantly more likely to thrive in complex, dynamic environments. This confirms that problem-solving is a pivotal soft skill that elevates performance and drives personal and professional growth.
This underscores the importance of developing and honing problem-solving skills. These skills not only enhance our personal and professional growth but also enable us to navigate the complexities of the real estate market effectively, leading to better client satisfaction and successful transactions.
Leadership
Extensive research conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership leaves no room for doubt — organizations with robust leadership development programs consistently outperform their competitors. Effective leadership hinges on soft skills such as empathy, communication and conflict resolution, undisputedly underlining the critical nature of these skills for fostering success at all organizational levels.
Investing in leadership development programs can significantly enhance team performance and drive business success. By focusing on developing these essential soft skills, real estate leaders can create a more collaborative, resilient and high-performing team.
What are the top soft skills?
These case studies provide unequivocal evidence that nurturing soft skills is undeniably transformative, leading to enhanced individual performance and overall success in the workplace.
Communication skills
Clear communication is the cornerstone for effective sales. It’s not just about talking; it’s about creating an environment of trust and openness. To sell authentically, you must first be transparent with yourself.
Active listening
True listening means being fully present and valuing others’ input. It’s a powerful tool for building strong relationships and making informed decisions. To listen well, you must be genuinely connected with those around you.
Leadership skills
Authentic selling is about aligning your actions with your core values. When you lead by example, others are inspired to follow.
Problem-solving abilities
Effective problem-solving requires balancing data analysis with understanding different perspectives. This approach not only resolves issues but also builds confidence and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Time management
Managing your time well is crucial for maintaining the consistency that defines effective performance. It allows you to focus on strategic goals while still being there for your clients.
Positive attitude
Positivity is contagious and essential for resilient real estate professionals. Even in tough times, agents who remain optimistic inspire their clients to do the same. This positive outlook is rooted in self-awareness and self-regulation.
These soft skills are not just professional tools but integral to being an effective real estate professional. By mastering them, you can create a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth and success.
Mindfulness and real estate: Enhancing your skills
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment. Developing mindfulness can significantly enhance these essential skills and overall effectiveness.
Improved communication
Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, enabling more transparent and empathetic communication with clients and colleagues. This awareness fosters stronger relationships and trust.
Enhanced active listening
By practicing mindfulness, you become better at staying present during conversations, allowing you to truly listen and understand your client’s needs. This leads to better client satisfaction and more effective problem-solving.
Authentic selling
Mindfulness cultivates self-awareness, which is essential for authentic selling. As you become more in tune with your values and actions, you naturally sell with integrity, inspiring client confidence.
Sharper problem-solving
Being mindful allows you to approach problems clearly and rationally. This helps make better decisions, reduce stress and find creative solutions to challenges.
Better time management
Mindfulness encourages focus and prioritization, helping you manage your time more effectively. By staying present, you can avoid distractions and concentrate on what truly matters, improving productivity.
Positive mindset
Mindfulness promotes a positive and resilient attitude. In the fast-paced world of real estate, this positivity can help you navigate challenges with grace and maintain a steady, optimistic approach.
Specific benefits for pros
Increased client trust
Mindfulness leads to more genuine interactions, which builds deeper trust with clients, making them more likely to work with you and refer others.
Higher job satisfaction
By reducing stress and enhancing focus, mindfulness helps you find more joy and fulfillment in your work, leading to better overall job satisfaction.
Greater resilience
The practice of mindfulness equips you with the tools to handle the ups and downs of the real estate industry with resilience and composure.
Enhanced creativity
A mindful approach opens up space for creative thinking, allowing you to find innovative solutions for your clients and business challenges.
Improved work-life balance
Mindfulness helps you set boundaries and stay present at work and home, leading to a healthier work-life balance.
Real estate professionals can benefit significantly from developing strong mindfulness-based soft skills.
For instance, effective communication and active listening can help build trust and strong relationships with clients, while leadership skills can inspire and guide teams to align with shared values. Problem-solving abilities and adaptability are essential for addressing challenges in a dynamic market, and time management is crucial for maintaining consistency in performance. Furthermore, maintaining a positive attitude can inspire resilience during tough times.
Using simple, mindfulness-based techniques can help nurture soft skills and is undeniably transformative for real estate professionals.
These are the simplest ways to enhance our individual performance and overall success in the workplace. By focusing on developing these critical soft skills, we can excel in our careers and create a positive impact on our clients.
Aaron Hendon’s extensive experience in real estate and entrepreneurship has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate even the most unstable market conditions. Connect with Aaron on Instagram and LinkedIn.
