By Stan Albert
Recently one of the rising stars in our office asked me my opinion of her.
I told her that she’s a great student of our profession and commented about other real estate related things that were somewhat obvious to me.
That was not what she had in mind at all. We had a most pleasant and revealing discussion about the real answer she was looking for: what did I think were her positive characteristics as an individual?
She wanted to know what were her strengths as a human being that I’ve seen over the nearly two years we’ve gotten to know each other in a business atmosphere.
It got me to thinking about five pillars of character that I believe most of us have and that I try to re-enforce at all times, although sometimes the fates tempt us to sway from them.
Here is what I believe are the fundamental pillars of character to live by:
1. Family is of utmost importance. We must always place them first in our lives. The family unit should always be respected and hopefully the respect is reciprocated. Without family ties, most of us would just drift from one situation to another without the anchor of strength that family represents. Families nurture the soul and give it meaning and reasons to feel alive.
2. Caring for others who are less fortunate than we are. Giving part of what we earn back to society and also working towards a common good for those less endowed than we are gives true meaning to our purpose in life and in business. And it’s not just to give back, but it is for us to take a leadership role in our society. To be an example to others who will follow our path. To be a living example to be admired and imitated.
3. Learning the crafts of becoming a leader in our business or industry or whatever faith we choose to follow. Learning to be unselfish with our time. Devoting ourselves to be honourable examples within our circle of friends and business associates. Passing those learned traits on to our family and close associates is most important as well. Taking as many educational courses and reading about our profession can only add to this character trait as well.
4. Being financially responsible to our family and learning the value of money and what it can bring to us. Whether it’s security or fame, the respect of what earning money can accomplish is sometimes a challenge. But each of the characteristics mentioned so far are a challenge, aren’t they? Sometimes it takes time to realize our true potential in earning money and what it can do. It takes a wise man to save money and a fool to spend it.
5. This last pillar I wrestled with somewhat, because in many respects it is a culmination of 1 to 4. Whatever you do in life, there are some basic precepts that have held true in all faiths and all great leaders. Believe in what you do. Love what you do and do what you love. Be the best you can every day. It is a given that we’re to be honest and forthright in all our dealings with our fellow man.
We are on this Mother Earth for a very short time. When we go on, we hope that others will say good things about what we did for our fellow man. We will be more remembered for that, than in all the enterprises we may have accomplished in whatever span of life our maker has given us.
This article is sort of a benchmark for me, as I believe it is number 75. Coincidentally, my 75th birthday is in July. The years go so fast!
Stan Albert, broker/manager, ABR, ASA at Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. can be reached for consultation at stanalb@rogers.com. Stan is now celebrating 40 years as an active real estate professional.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
