I’m a big fan of our recurring managing brokers issues, but this one is extra hot because of the new kids on the block who contributed to the cover story. Grace Goro Kaage, Christopher McAllister and Dave Naso have some new ideas of how to shake things up (but also keep their agents from getting into trouble).

I’m happy to let these guys take the lead on this one, frankly. As I’m sure is evident, I could totally be a managing broker. But who wants all that work and responsibility? I can hire people to have those ulcers for me, thanks.

How was your Thanksgiving? Personally, I found the family drama and political banter especially easy to ignore this year, thanks to plenty of tryptophan and a nice Chianti. The next day, my feed was bursting with posts of peeps being thankful for this and that. But keep in mind what Tommy Choi warned us all: “Gratitude is like a muscle. For it to be strong, you need to exercise it and work it out daily.” If you only do this stuff on Thanksgiving, you might pull a hammy, which is why you didn’t see any sappy posts from me that particular Thursday. I will note that later that weekend — after I convinced my hangover to split — I spent the next several hours cleaning out my closet in search of suitable donations to Danielle Dowell’s clothing drive. So, you’re welcome.

I know a lot of you were traveling over the Turkey Day weekend — hope you didn’t get stuck in the multiple waves of weather sweeping the nation. That reminds me that it’s time to book an island-bound flight. Beth Repta did make it to Knoxville in time to enjoy an adult beverage or two. She let her sphere know that the bars there are cute and that she’s A-OK with a little southern charm here and there.
The end of the year is here and everyone’s looking around to see if they should jump ship to another brokerage. Just the other day I heard Maria Thanasouras moved over to BHHS from CB. I hope none of my team members are getting any bright ideas…

Now that it’s December, it’s officially jingle party time! I shook off the mothballs for Mainstreet YPN’s ugly sweater party on Dec. 3rd at Alter Brewing in Downers Grove. Altered states anyone? The next day, Chicagoland real estate partiers had to choose between two bashes: NAHREP’s holiday installation of its new leadership slate at TAO Chicago and Wintrust’s seasonal shindig at their space on Hubbard Street. Which one did I choose? (I’m not being coy; I really can’t remember.)

And now for the bdays. The very day this issue is delivered to your offices also happens to be the birthday of Todd Mullen. Heads up: I hope Judy Pettas is extra careful when she celebrates her special day on Dec. 13 — that’s a Friday, folks. Chicago Agent reader fav Michelle Mills Clement will celebrate later that weekend on the 15th. We get a duo of Mikes the next two days, with Michael Bauknecht getting another year older on Dec. 16 and Michael Sato taking his turn on the 17th. Kathleen Malone and Rafay Qamar will share bithday accolades on Dec. 19. Let’s all nerd on out sales data in honor of Jeff Lasky on Dec. 20, and I’m sure Walter Krajewski won’t mind if we all swing by to crunch some more numbers for him on Dec. 22.