Think you don’t need a real estate coach? Think again. That was the topic of our most recent webinar when our VP of Marketing, Lisa Fettner, sat down with personal and business coach Jody Burr.

Jody, a real estate conference speaker and panelist who works with real estate professionals and business owners nationwide, answered some of our questions on how working with a coach can help take your business to the next level.

What are the differences between a coach, a consultant, and a therapist?

“A consultant gives advice and guidance in their area of expertise, and a therapist tends to focus on resolving past issues. A coach looks at your individual desires and goals to help you achieve them. A coach tends to ask more than tell; focuses on helping to make you better at the job you know.”

Why would a top agent need a coach?

“Coaching can transform your business and bring it to the next level. Just because you are good at what you do, doesn’t mean there aren’t areas where you can excel to a greater extent or be more efficient. Coaching can also help you reach your most important goals, be more effective, and help both your personal and business relationships.”

How would a real estate agent use a coach?

“Coaching real estate professionals usually focuses on individual needs, goals, priorities, strengths, and challenges. For example, where you want to grow your business, and what you want to accelerate. I had one client who was on-call 24 hours a day and needed personal time. Together, we worked to set up boundaries that allowed her the personal time guilt-free, but did not impact her client satisfaction — or performance.”

What are the top areas with which you would typically help an agent?

“Time management can be a big issue. If you are not really accountable to anyone, it’s easy to fall into traps of not managing your time correctly. It’s important to find a way to work smarter, not harder. Also, sometimes our own limited thinking can prevent us from getting where we want to go. Getting those thoughts out of the way is critical for exceeding your expectations. A coach can help you build the concrete steps to get you there.”

How do I find a coach?  

“See if any colleagues or friends have used a coach and can give you a referral. The International Coaching Federation and Coaching Training Institute also have directories of coaches in your area. Try to get a sample session with a coach beforehand to make sure it’s a good fit.”

Is it important to use a certified coach?

“Yes, because a certified coach has gone through extensive training. Coaching is about asking questions that help people figure out what’s important to them. It’s also an unregulated business, so anyone can say they are a coach without any training. By getting someone who is certified, you know you are working with someone who knows what they are doing.”

What should I look for when finding the right coach?

“When exploring different coaches, you should look for someone with whom you feel a connection. A good coach will be more concerned about you getting what you need rather than them getting the business. A coach’s job is to make sure they help you achieve your goals. Explore and research several coaches to ensure you find the right one.”

How long does the average coaching relationship last?

“It really depends. The coach and the client create what is called a designed alliance — an agreement of how they will work together. Coaches typically will start a contract for a period of time (e.g., 3 months, 4 months, 6 months). At the end of the contract it’s on a month-by-month basis. Typically, if it’s a good fit, you can stay indefinitely. At the end of the day, it’s up to you for how long you want to do it.”

How has coaching changed over the last few years?

“Coaching today is getting a lot more attention and has become much more acceptable as a key part of business and success. Most entrepreneurs and businesses site coaching as a major contributor to their success.”

Still wondering if a real estate coach is right for you? Try a complimentary coaching session with Jody by phone to explore the process.