Positive Work Environments

Griffith, Grant and Lackie Realtors Co-Owner and Managing Broker Brad Andersen and Co-Owner Scott Lackie are fourth generation owners of the company. He and Lackie focus on being on-site and available to their agents on a daily basis, as well, but add it is equally important to develop a good managing broker and agent relationship – and the work environment plays a huge part in that.

“We are available for our agents, and we ask them about their personal lives and families,” Andersen says. “We are interested in what interests them – it’s what gets them excited, and we can help create a friendly work environment that they’re excited to go to every day.”

The corporate culture of a brokerage sets the tone for what’s expected of agents, and whether or not their values line up with the company’s. Hernandez says an introduction into Conlon’s corporate culture begins from the time a potential agent is interviewed.

“We look for agents that fit our culture of cooperation, collaboration and sharing in each other’s successes. They have to want to fit into that culture and be willing to join a team,” she says. “If an agent is frustrated being there at work, he won’t be productive. The right work environment helps agents be more focused on success and entices them to want to do more, to do better and to be more profitable, which benefits everyone.”

The right work environment is more than just positivity from the managing broker – it’s positivity from fellow agents. A sign of a great managing broker is an office of agents ready to lend a helping hand if someone has an emergency or can’t make an appointment.

“Our agents don’t want to let each other down,” Pederson says. “They are all quick to send mass company emails asking each other for feedback or recommendations, or to commend an accomplishment. They trust one another and legitimately want to help each other.”

Aside from the overall environment, he adds the physical aesthetic of their office aids in success and productivity. During a recent redecorating of John Greene Realtors’ Oswego office, agents centered the new layout in a bullpen style where agents at all production levels are intermixed. He’s noticed improved communication amongst agents and even more agents helping each other out with this set up.

In addition, Andersen has found that community involvement can bolster morale and comradery. “We share a common goal of serving our clients … our agents are committed to our reputation,” he says. “We’re brokers who live in the community we work, but are also very involved in our community. We encourage our agents to get involved; it’s part of our corporate culture to not only work in the community, but be part of it. It’s as much leading by example as it is teaching.”