OK here we go again my fellow stagers, and other professionals. You heard my story back in 2020 regarding pathways to leadership within RESA and to really think about stepping up to the plate and get involved in leadership.
However, if you are new to our Awesome organization, or existing members and need a bit of encouragement, I will give you a brief recap of my journey.
- January 2017, my first time at RESACON was so exciting, fun, and work. What I mean by work is, we had to tune our minds into what was offered to us in preparation of having a successful business, by attending the various workshops, and listening to guest speakers that poured out their stories and experiences.
- I volunteered as a Door Greeter 2018 and again in 2019. I joined my local Women’s Council of Realtors (WCR) recommended by our lustrous leader
Shell Brodnax (ms. Shell as I call her) by volunteering my time to help sponsor events, and even spoke before the realtors and special guests. This is a great opportunity for you to network among realtors and other professionals. I was asked by the President of the Prince George’s County Maryland WCR to consider being the Membership Director based on my experience with my own RESA-GCA Chapter. So, again there’s always opportunities, you must be ready and cease the moments. - In 2019 I applied for leadership within my RESA Greater Capital Area Chapter after being a member since May 2016 when our chapter was established. Well, I became VP of Membership, a role I took very seriously. I helped our chapter grow by at least 14 new members that year and it was my commitment, dedication, and time management to do that task and do it well. Because of my efforts, I was awarded the 2019 Chapter Member of the Year. Oh, how I love my RESAGCA family. I even participate and extend leadership skills and knowledge to our neighboring RESA Greater Baltimore Chapter, to this day. Must I add that our chapter won the 2020 Chapter of the Year Award last year at RESACON and we were happy and proud of our achievements.
Fast Forward 2021. So, what is “Yo (nickname..lol)” up to now? Well, I’m glad you asked. The current board recognized my talents and gifts that I share with not only our existing members, but all new members that join our chapter, would I serve as New Member Liaison. Of course, they left it up to me to create the criteria for this role which I had been doing anyway. This primary voluntary role of RESAGCA’s New Member Liaison is to encourage those members who has natural leadership skills, a passion for building and growing relationships, ability to gather feedback and provide innovation insight to RESA’s mission. In addition, to connect with new members by encouraging them to identify their skills and talents, and how they can be best used while connecting and interacting with our chapter members. Providing resources for training by RESA’s Approved Accredited Training Providers. I have encouraged our members to provide shadowing opportunities among each other and this has been so rewarding.
Now, enough of my insight on what RESA has afforded me in my journey. What is there for U as uprising, and existing, and thinking about becoming involved in leadership. Well, here it is! Buckle up and be ready for the ride.
To be an effective leader you must:
1) Provide a Vision for your chapter and assuring that it lines up with RESA’s Vision
2) Establish some sort of organizational structure & communication protocols
3) Be a role model
4) Inspire & motivate
5) Having effective time management
6) If you wear the title of your position, know that you must roll up your sleeves and do the work
Ok Yo, so is there more to this? Yes, it is and here it is:
There are three basic styles of leadership decision-making:
- Authoritarian – Authoritarian leaders rule their groups,
- Democratic – Democratic leaders try to include everyone in the decision-making process,
- Laissez-faire – Leaders let the group function without much – if any – interference.
If that does not ruffle your feathers, what about 5 essential qualities of a Good Leader
- Communication.
- Vision.
- Empathy.
- Accountability.
- Gratitude.
So, now what do you think? If you feel you don’t have what it takes but would like the opportunity to serve within your prospective chapters, there’s always a class on leadership and management skills made available to you at your local community colleges for a small fee, or go online and there are free courses you can take. Of course, RESA has amazing webinars that is right at your fingertips. You must invest in yourself and know you can do it. There is a whole real estate industry out there that really needs us and our expertise, so be a part of the solution and not the problem by not letting your voices be heard and how being in leadership will make a difference.
Also, through my Certified Staging Professional International tm Staging Business Training Academy under the leadership of Christine Rae, I continue to serve as a CSP Approved Mentor and CSP Good Will Ambassador not only to my CSP colleagues, but to all other stagers and professionals, who need guidance and direction as they grow their business. So, you see, leadership goes above and far beyond.
For the incoming class of 2022 RESA Leaders, I challenge each of you in your existing leadership roles if you are going to run in your same positions, or those who are stepping up, know that you can do it and make a difference. Let’s not let this pandemic get the best of us. If we must live on our computers for zoom meetings for a little while longer, then that’s what we have to do.
You must strive and do all you can for your chapter, yourselves, and our real estate community. The sky is the limit to what you can do!
Best of luck to RESA Leaders of the Class of 2022 and beyond. I’m available if you would like to contact me at yolanda.tillman@starpower.net and by phone at 202-309-2115.
Sincerely, Yolanda Tillman, RESA Ambassador Owner, Tiera Interiors, LLC
- RESA Ambassador Shares Her Experience in Leadership Roles - October 5, 2021
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