Glenda Brindle
Re: Can We Call Ourselves Professionals? (REM, November and December 2013)
Professionalism is a hot topic these days, so it’s encouraging to see debate on the importance of professionalism and the challenges facing the real estate sector in the pages of REM, most recently in the two-part series by Lloyd Manning. Discussing professionalism is an essential step toward meaningful change, and as chair of the Real Estate Council of Ontario’s (RECO) Board of Directors I would like to contribute to the ongoing dialogue.
As the real estate regulator in Ontario, RECO protects the public interest and enhances consumer confidence in the real estate sector. Enforcing the rules and regulations that real estate practitioners must follow is central to that goal, but encouraging professionalism within the sector is equally important.
A recent CREA survey found that 88 per cent of real estate practitioners are concerned about professionalism. It’s critical that real estate practitioners think of ourselves as professionals, and carry ourselves as such. When we don’t think of ourselves as professionals we don’t realize the importance of the work we do or how it affects our clients, an attitude that inevitably leads to lower standards. We have to hold each other to a higher standard by demanding the best of ourselves and each other.
In addition to engaging in regulatory activities like inspections and investigations, RECO promotes professionalism within the real estate sector in many ways. An ongoing series of videos featuring RECO directors discuss professionalism with interesting and engaging visuals. A column in our registrant newsletter For the RECOrd, tackles different aspects of professionalism. We also provide access to registrants’ disciplinary history on RECO’s website, which demonstrates the sector’s accountability – a key element for any profession.
Every practitioner can improve professionalism with their actions and their attitude toward their responsibilities. We all have a shared interest in enhancing consumer confidence in the real estate profession and we all have a role to play in nurturing a culture of professionalism. It’s how we, as real estate professionals, conduct ourselves each and every day that makes the biggest impact.
Glenda Brindle
Chair, RECO Board of Directors
Toronto
