Kristina Hohl

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

Photos by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

Title: Director of Operations

Company: The Packer Group – Coldwell Banker Preferred, REALTORS®

Years in Current Position

Three years

Years in the Real Estate Industry

Three years

What did you do before you began working in your current position?

Prior to coming to work for The Packer Group, I worked in the legal field for many years.

What does your typical workday look like?

I keep the day-to-day operations running smoothly and oversee the daily tasks of our support staff and marketing team. Typically, I believe that I will have an easy day until about 9 a.m. Most of my mornings are spent answering questions and clarifying murky areas for agents and staff. Many mornings slip into afternoons before I can blink. We start the day off with a staff huddle. This is intended to create unity and foster the caring culture we work hard to maintain. After the huddle, I will meet with Jeff to discuss any topics relevant to the day and forecast future plans. Jeff is a true visionary and wants to revolutionize all aspects of customer service — he is not satisfied with good and expects exceptional as the norm. There is always something to improve, and most of my job is spent on that improvement, as well as on listening and processing Jeff’s thoughts to implement them with the rest of the team — we’re always looking for new ways to grow stronger and better as a team.

How would you describe your job in one word?

Family. We are intentional with how we hire to ensure that they first fit into our culture. We hire for integrity not just competency. We spend many hours each day with each other — it helps to like your co-workers! We know how each team member is doing. We sit and encourage each other through hard times and celebrate the good times. Throughout the year, we have many team and client events. These are fun times spent with people we enjoy — not work.

Why do you think you excel at your job?

I excel at my job because I can hear the intangible and make it a reality. I have a gift of listening to others and problem/solution solving when needed. I am also capable of sitting back and allowing others to self-direct on a course I might not have taken, a skill I learned as I was in training under Jeff. Throughout the years, I have learned the benefit of putting the person first and the task second. This is still something that I need to perfect, but I am a work in progress. I also know my limitations and when to ask for help. It helps to keep pride and ego at bay and just work for the team to be successful instead of focusing on the success of just one person.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

There are two parts that are the most rewarding. The first is when a new agent has their first win. We get to celebrate and watch the confidence grow. This also happens on the support side when they can successfully troubleshoot an issue without relying on others to decide for them. To watch that empowerment grow on both sides with the agents and the staff is very gratifying. The second part is the way we give back and serve as a team — some of the hardest work I have ever done has been with this team. From organizing a charity golf outing to cleaning city streets, this team is all about giving back to others. At the end of the day when a person (client, employee, agent, stranger) has a smile on their face because of what TPG has done — this brings a smile to my face.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Time. When I first started at TPG, I would work 12- to 16-hour days without thinking twice about it. I had to set structured boundaries to allow myself a good home/work balance. There is always work to be done and improvements to be made. I had to allow myself grace to just leave it at work some nights.

What is one thing about you that others might find surprising or interesting?

I get up at 4:15 a.m. to workout with my husband. And on our day off, we do kickboxing with my best friend.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do for fun?

Spend time with my family. My husband and I are now empty-nesters, so we will visit our daughter at college whenever she is ready for another visit. I enjoy going to dinner or hanging out with my friends. We try to attend a trivia night once a week. I enjoy watching my husband do yard work and mow the grass. It has never been my cup of tea, but he enjoys it, so I watch him.

How do you feel about being nominated as a Behind-the-Scenes All-Star?

Taken aback! I do not like to have eyes on me. I take pleasure in being behind the scenes and helping others out, not being in the spotlight. So, this is out of character for me. I can see Jeff laughing to himself as he nominated me.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself, about your job or about your relationship with the person who nominated you?

I take great pride in working for TPG. Working for Jeff Packer and with this team is absolutely awesome.

Jeff Packer, team leader of The Packer Group at Coldwell Banker Preferred, REALTORS®, acknowledges that Kristina is not the type of person who likes to be in the limelight. “I don’t think it’s important to publicly recognize Kristina as she prefers to work behind the scenes unnoticed, but she absolutely deserves all the recognition she gets,” Jeff said. “Kristina is so humble — she will be very shy about this recognition, but she deserves it 100%.”

Jeff admires Kristina’s selfless spirit and her propensity to care for others. “It begins with her incredible thoughtfulness — Kristina thinks about others in such a selfless way and always focuses on what is needed for those people,” Jeff said.

Jeff is grateful for how Kristina supports him by “making sure nothing is lost between the cracks.” Furthermore, Kristina supports clients by making sure they have the best experience possible. “She assures our team of coordinators is equipped to guide our clients through the house selling and purchasing process, which, in turn, supports the agents who work for The Packer Group,” Jeff said. “Kristina is faithful, hardworking and so pivotal to our success — The Packer Group would not be what we are if it wasn’t for her.”

Behind the-Scenes All-Star: Kristina Hohl