Do you feel like you are doing a good job as a property manager, but your bosses and residents don’t seem to afford you the respect you deserve? If so, your communication skills might need some work.
In a post on PropertyManager.com, Marc Courtenay offers some steps to help you figure this out.
- Have an honest conversation. Talk to a close family member or friend about how others perceive you. Choose someone who will speak openly and honestly with you about this tricky subject. Listen to the feedback without getting defensive.
- Tape an interaction. Consider videotaping yourself in a normal work interaction. Tell the other person that you will be taping only yourself for self-evaluation purposes. Then watch the video multiple times, making a list of ways you can improve.
- Find a mentor. Think about someone you know who has a good communication style and is perceived as authentic. Will this person coach you on how to improve your communication skills?
- Focus on improving your listening skills. When someone is talking to you, put all of your energy into listening and ask questions to ensure you understand what was just conveyed to you. If you are speaking with someone who is upset or has a complaint, make sure you are in the right frame of mind to respond. If you aren’t, ask the person if you can take a little time to think about what he or she has told you before offering a solution.
And above all, be reliable, punctual and a person of your word. Doing these things will go a long way toward forming good professional and personal relationships.