Real Estate, my chosen profession, is probably one of the most diverse careers you can get into. Here in Columbus, Georgia, maybe more than other markets; we have military, students, international, retired, new families, LGBT households, southern households, families with furbabies, athletes, artists, industry men and women, CEO's - pretty much folks from all walks of life, backgrounds, and social standing.
All that make 'getting the job done' hard in a profession that is centered in emotion AND law with agents (of different backgrounds) representing buying and selling parties of equally different backgrounds in their best interest. It's a people profession, so you have to love what you do because different communication styles, money, time, and the finish line of H.O.M.E. can make situations tense.
In the worst moments, it can feel like even when you're using the same words, no one is speaking the same language. As a Communication Grad, I try to use the skills I was taught to move towards understanding (the ultimate goal of communication, right?)... and I have to say it has been more than useful to me. It was what I learned at CSU's Comm Dept and NPACE Center, that made me think I could Comm Theory into a career that helps people get into the houses that they want and establish the lives that they dreamed - maybe a little cliche and idealistic, but home has a value and security that help us humans thrive when done right.
Ultimately, to communicate is human and is thus fraught with traps, pitfalls and blockades. How we move past them takes creativity and sometimes a translator to get the job done.
Today I feel like I've been about as clear as I can be, and yet wasn't getting any traction in a deal. What hit me a little later down the line was, the party I was talking to said "I respect you as an agent, I respect women... but..." and I realized that somehow just being a woman was making our dialog a problem. It's frustrating to know that sometimes when we talk to others, we can't get through because of basic differences or lifestyles or personalities that veer so vastly from our own that we can't understand one another - period. And there's not much we can do about that. When an individual is unable or unwilling to step outside of themselves to consider other perspectives, no understanding can be reached.
Luckily in my case, I keep a male real estate partner (my husband), around for help - and he has. My husband and I, we said the same things - addressed the same problem; yet, when he talks, it sounds like English to the guy we're working with. When I talk... it sounds like something else, so I had to leave some aspects of this contract with my translator to get things done.
Things don't have to fall apart because we lose understanding, but it does take more effort to achieve the same goal.
For now, I get back to work, stop pondering and go forth to create more understanding.
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