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Inman: Exiting Your Broker Without Burning Bridges
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Inman: Exiting Your Broker Without Burning BridgesDaniel Dobbs2023-05-25T16:17:38-07:00
“Because no one works ANYWHERE forever”
How you leave any sales job will depend on how well you prepared for your eventual exit when you were first hired. So start prepping now!
YouTube – Straight Talk Lending – Daniel Dobbs
Here are tips for the following change
Never use business cards, letterhead, or promo materials with the office’s phone number, corporate email, or web address. Print your own!
Why? Years from now, a lead that wants to buy or sell may reach out only to get your office mate (now your competitor), and you lose thousands of $$.
Never use the company’s email as a client’s primary point of contact.
Always scrub the office’s computer of your client’s emails and any other data so that it’s a clean break when you leave. You can always use your computer to communicate with clients.
I’ll be publishing more posts on how to protect your data and your clients from corporate overlords. Because no one works anywhere forever, that’s why!
There are as many reasons for leaving a brokerage as people who go.
Maybe you’re leaving for personal reasons or because the company culture does not fit you. Here’s how to go your broker and feel good about it.
Don’t use Company Resources to Transition
If you know, you’ll be looking for a change, that’s something you should do on your own time using your resources.
Don’t involve your current work in your job search. Don’t use your company email, work computer, copy machine, or office supplies to prepare resumes to communicate with your prospective brokerage.
Don’t sit in the office talking to other brokers on the phone or let down current clients and colleagues in favor of your prospective new broker.
Don’t Disrespect Your Broker
Even if you don’t like your current broker, you don’t need to be disrespectful as you leave.
Discuss with your broker when you’re ready to begin looking for a new brokerage. (NOTE: Tread carefully on this one; remember your listings are property of the broker).
Don’t let them discover through the grapevine that you’ve decided to move on, and don’t let all of your fellow agents know before telling your broker.
Even if your relationship isn’t the best, be professional in how you relate and offer them the courtesy of a timely heads-up.
Don’t Air Your Grievances
You may think that leaving your brokerage allows you to let everyone know how you feel. Now is your ample opportunity to finally tell folks exactly what you’ve always thought about them. Wrong.
There’s a reason real estate is a relationship business.
The agent you tell off today may be sitting across the table from you on your next transaction. The admin you snub on your way out the door may be getting their feet wet before becoming a big-time broker.
Burning bridges is a terrible idea since you’ll likely see some of the same people on the path ahead. Keep your thoughts to yourself.
Don’t Undermine Your Current Brokerage
In the same way, you may be tempted to talk down your current brokerage to everyone who listens. You may want to tell them how incompetent everyone is, how unprofessional, and what a misery it was for you to put up with them for as long as you did.
In most cases, you will be the one who comes off looking bad, either because of your behavior or because of the bad vibes you’re giving off.
Don’t Give in to Pettiness
The last days or weeks at the brokerage can seem like a perfect time to give in to your worst instincts. Don’t.
That office manager may be the one who’ll ensure your last commission check gets to you on time. That person you’ve always disliked may end up following you to the new brokerage. Continue to do your best work and keep your reputation intact.
Try to Focus on the Positives
Even though you may be excited to move to your new brokerage, for your peace of mind, it’s best to I’d like you to focus on your current brokerage’s positive aspects.
Did you learn anything? Did you make at least one or two friends or connect with fantastic clients? Did you find a good mentor by chance? What can you take away from the excellent experience,
While you may legitimately have frustrations with the place you’re leaving behind, if you can focus on the positives, you’ll transition to your new brokerage with a different perspective and better energy.
That will help you to hit the ground running and make you more successful in your following professional environment. If there are serious matters to address, do so professionally.
Of course, sometimes you leave for more serious reasons than a personality conflict or a more favorable split. Perhaps you’re leaving behind a toxic work environment, harassment, or unscrupulous business practices.
You may need to address the behaviors you’ve witnessed once you’re away from your current brokerage. In this case, you’ll want to have the counsel of a trusted legal adviser.
They can help you contact the appropriate corporate representative, your Board of Realtors, Professional Standards Commission, or DRE to provide relevant information as soon as possible.
