Stephanie Sims, Chicago Agent’s managing broker

Did you know that great managers are a rare find? Of course, that’s true – someone who can continually engage and inspire a team and consistently get desired results is not common in the workforce.

According to a recent Gallup survey, which we write about on page 20, companies fail to hire the right manager 82 percent of the time. That’s a staggering statistic when you think about it – there is a high chance that any given manager doesn’t have the right combination of skills to manage a team effectively.

  What are the qualities we often think a manager should possess? Such traits include a solid work ethic, strong leadership skills and the ability to oversee and manage others effectively to produce desired results. A managing broker manages consultants, essentially, or separate entrepreneurs, but with the common goal of being successful in their own businesses – which, in turn, makes for a successful brokerage.

More than anything, a managing broker has to be a strong leader, someone with the answers or the knowledge to get the answers, because at one point or another, all agents look to their managing broker for guidance and help. It’s a tough job, and as Gallup found, a vast majority of managers aren’t necessarily qualified for it. Read why the managing brokers in our cover story, though, are great managers on page 14.

Do you think your managing broker exemplifies what an excellent manager and team leader should be? Managing brokers, what do you think of the Gallup survey’s findings? Let me know what you think of this issue. Comment directly on our stories online, or email your thoughts to stephanie@chicago.staging312.com.