Kat Torre

I'm going to start off with a story about a client who postponed or "hold off" work for the summertime. Now, this client is in the real estate space, so it's been a rocky and volatile market. While some may try to take advantage of the market's volatility for their own means, my client chose to "hold off" working with me until it became more financially feasible for her business.

It is a given that when it comes to housing markets, the level of volatility in prices is higher than other economic indicators. In addition, prices and transaction volumes are negatively correlated with the average time on the market for sellers. Having said that, I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who see market volatility as an opportunity to act on facts while maintaining the interests of their clients.

You Are the Architect of Your Business

When you look at it objectively, your reaction when your broker or CEO or leader tells you to stop doing business for a while can be "That's interesting—I wonder why they're doing that?" instead of blindly saying yes so to avoid having to think for yourself during volatile times.

... and for all business owners, you are the architect of your business, but when someone tells me to “keep my head down for the next ninety days” and to pursue “no new business,” my perspective is that this is coming from a place of fear, given that there is a lot of volatility in the market.

It’s All About Perspective

I choose to look at it differently – as an opportunity – and thus, align myself with people who do the same.

Opportunity to be creative: Try new things and see what sticks, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and adjust your timing.
To be a voice and help people find their voices in the industry, making them an architect of their own businesses as well,
Leverage the time to be a thought leader: Find your point of view. What's your edge? Become that in your market.

While writing this entry, I remembered one of my colleagues who is a broker in Manhattan and the Hamptons telling me, "Business IS PERSONAL," and I definitely agree with her. It is personal by means of understanding that people are a business's most important asset and that they play a strategic role in the success of a business.

Lead By Example

Before I end this post, I'd like to recommend this amazing book: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. Designed to complement the classic that inspired it, this one-of-a-kind workbook will help you take what you've learned from leadership and apply it to your real-world career in whatever industry you are currently in. As leadership is one of my core values, and I always strive to lead by example, it’s truly one that spoke to me.

If you’ve been struggling with the message your leaders have been broadcasting lately, ask yourself: are they speaking from fear or love? Nothing lasting comes of the former, and I can guarantee you that you’ll feel better in the end if you follow the latter.

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