TIPS ON BEING A

Tips on Being a Good Team Leader

Your business is booming, so much in fact, that you’ve finally made the decision to start a team. You’ve made sure it’s financially feasible, and you’ve found the right people, but there is still one other component of a successful team. And that’s an effective leader. It’s your job to not only generate business, but to motivate your team, which in turn increase productivity. Here are a few simple tips on being a good team leader.

1. Evaluate each team member, making sure to utilize their strengths Hiring the right people is one of the first steps in creating a successful team, but once you have those people it’s really important to figure out where they best fit into the operation. Having every team member be an ‘expert’ in their part of the process leads to seamless transactions and a business that runs like a well-oiled machine.

Of course it’s also important to create a supportive atmosphere that allows team members to stretch beyond their comfort zones, under your guidance. It’s to the whole team’s advantage when people take initiatives to up their game by taking additional training or mastering a new and innovative technology that can improve productivity. The key is to constantly evaluate not only your systems but the people running them. It’s your job as a leader to encourage that personal growth while making sure to always protect against any major misfires. Which leads us to…

2. Always reevaluate what is and isn’t working It’s a good idea to have a weekly meeting where the whole team can convene and go over any snags they may have hit in the systems that you developed when starting your team. Your team is in the trenches with you and since everyone probably focuses on a different aspect of the transaction, it’s important to make sure things are working on every level. Make sure copious notes are taken during these meetings so you have a track record of what was suggested, as well as a history of things that may have been tried and the results.

Another good thing to focus on in these meetings is goal setting. Set weekly and monthly goals, and use the meetings to discuss what’s being done or needs to be done to meet them. When goals are met, it’s a great bonding experience for everyone. When they aren’t, it’s a moment to learn how you can do better in the future. 3. Stay connected and in communication These are your team members! There’s more to that than just a label. Be connected to them on a daily basis. Clear, open and honest communication is important on a busy team and that’s much easier if you actually like and trust your co-workers.

Sure you want to succeed for yourself, but knowing that other people you respect are counting on you, is an additional motivating factor, that is certain to lead to everyone going above and beyond creating a wildly successful business.

4. Be inspiring and supportive If you’re enthusiastic about what you’re doing, it really will be infectious. Encourage innovation and creativity. Yes, systems and consistency are great but don’t let your team get in a rut either.

Support their individual careers, always encourage them to go for more, let them rely on you for mentorship. If they sense that you want each member to succeed as much as you have, you won’t find more loyal employees. And perhaps most importantly focus on what’s being done right. Don’t be the boss that just points out things they don’t like. Let them know when they’ve done an amazing job and be specific about what it is. Make them feel valued and they will become a valuable asset to you and your business.

SHAHZANA RIPP

Shahzana Ripp began her real estate career after she had an eye-opening experience buying her first home. Her own real estate agent proved unreliable, so Shahzana ended up doing all the legwork and homework on her own. “I realized how interesting it is, and I fell in love with real estate,” Shahzana recalls. “So it started with my own research as a homebuyer, and ended with me becoming an agent.” She started with Coldwell Banker in 2004, and since then Shahzana has built strong and trusting relationships with clients who value her accessibility, hard work, and personal attention.

Shahzana serves the western suburbs of Chicago, including Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Aurora, Joliet, Sherwood, Downers Grove, and Darien. About 70% of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, and it’s easy to see why. “I’m heavily involved, even after the closing,” Shahzana explains. “I make an effort to stay in touch with my clients on a personal level, which often means attending birthday parties, weddings, and other celebrations. If I’m in the area and have a few minutes, I stop and knock on the door to say hello. I have been able to connect on a personal level and establish a relationship with my clients, and that goes a long way.”

Clients appreciate the personal attention they get when they work with Shahzana. “When I work with clients, I put together a custom tailored plan for them,” she says. “I listen to the clients and take extra steps by previewing homes before I show them to my clients. When I do the quick

walk-through, I spot anything my client likes, and make a note of it. I’m a very good active listener and have very good empathy skills, which helps me select the best listings to streamline their search or to market their property.”

When marketing her listings, Shahzana takes an aggressive approach to getting a property in front of as many potential buyers as possible. In addition to her company website, she uses sites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com to promote her listings, as well as individual websites for her properties. She has also recently stepped up her use of social media. “We want to make sure our property information is out there and to insure that the homes look beautiful online,” Shahzana says. To that end, she enlists professional photographers to produce everything from regular still photos to video, and also drone photography. “Our listings get a lot of shares and likes on Instagram and Facebook,” she says.

Outside of real estate, Shahzana has been involved in her community. She has done work with the Senior Services Center in Joliet, as well as in Downers Grove and Darien. It is a cause that is near and dear to her, since she was raised by her grandmother. When she is not working or giving back her time, Shahzana loves to spend time with her two boys, and traveling.

In the future, Shahzana says she is looking to eventually have her own team and “take it to the next level.” She would also like to get her managing broker’s license. “I take each day as a new opportunity,” Shahzana says. “To be able to connect with people and be a part of their journey, and to touch people’s lives. I have been able to create long-term relationships and friendships through real estate, and my clients are like family to me.”

To find out more about Shahzana Ripp,

call 815-483-7773, visit https://linktr.ee/Shahzana or email shahzanaripp@gmail.com