Re: I recently got promoted to a regional manager! Looking for some of the most helpful tips.

Hi everyone! After 9 years of being an on site manager I recently got promoted to a regional manager! Looking for some of the most helpful tips for organization/visiting sites and best practices of team building and gaining the trust of the team members existing on site!
Conventional setting, KC is the location of the properties

Congrats!

Nancy Nelson thank you!!

Jennifer Grzegorzewski you’ve got an advantage because you’ve been a manager. Just be the regional manager you always wanted. Good luck. Contact me anytime and even just to talk apartments. I love it.

Learn (if you do not know how to already) how to positively hold people accountable. I find this makes people want to do things to not let me down vs being a (put whatever mean person word here you use), and associates giving the big middle finger and not caring about letting me down. It gives associates a feeling of being respected and in a healthy relationship vs. a associate/boss relationship. And most importantly, listen to hear, not to respond. Congratulations and best of luck!

Catherine Hutchins-Behringer this was really great advice thank you so much!

It’s all about time management. Keep your teams on the a consistent delivery schedule. Be firm, fair and consistent.

Daniel Gutaniel I think the Google ToDo list has been the biggest time organization tool for me. For team members, do you advise myself setting the calendar reminders for them on a reoccurring manner?

Actually be with your team during your site visits. I’ve worked on site and at corporate level, and have seen and known way too many regionals who spend their entire visit on their laptops not being present. Listen to your people, help them with concerns, give them an opportunity to provide solid feedback on things and help them succeed. Creating a bond with your teams is most important in my opinion. They should respect you and not fear you, and know you will work with them.

Ally Jillian this has actually been a highlight of my feedback to my current regionals that they don’t really help since they still do all their tasks while they sit on task, “missing” the things that are usually the biggest stressors for on site team.

Jennifer Grzegorzewski I think you will be great!

The fact that you used a Schitts Creek gif also makes you a-okay in my book. Haha

Ally Jillian that show was what the world needed lol

It’s not really about the properties … it’s about your ability to hire the right people and then train them well, supporting them and especially when they stumble. They have to know you’ve got their backs… then, you and the team wins.

Babbie Miley Jaco any tips on gaining their support so they know they can trust me? I’ve been building teams and fortunately have been able to promote from within for many properties, but this is the first time I’m not their direct leader

Jennifer Grzegorzewski it takes time Jennifer. They don’t expect you to know everything but your quick return of phone calls, emails and follow through earns their trust. The steady stream of communication and info is what they want from you. I love love two books- the old one minute manager and Lou Holtz’s book “Winning Every Day!” Read Coach Lou and you’ll see… your passion shows so you just be yourself and let your light shine!

Babbie Miley Jaco I love continuous education in books ordering now! Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback, I’ll make sure I follow!

Jennifer Grzegorzewski I would add the book Radical Candor to your early list

Michelle Wood agree! Our leadership team just finished Multipliers and that was fun

Michelle Wood this was actually required by my previous company! I’ve been apart of two book clubs who read it! Learn something new every time

Jennifer Grzegorzewski that’s fabulous!

avoid micro managing

Congratulations

Shelia Sarile thank you!!

If you won’t do it - they shouldn’t be made to do it! Keep that Philosophy, your team will always respect you if you do!

Nichole Palmer believe in this tremendously with my on site team which I feel was the one thing that made me stand out! Very fortunate I’ve had that work ethic, I won’t forget it

Jennifer Grzegorzewski good luck!

I don’t have advice. Just want to say Congratulations!

Maria Johnson thanks so much!

I strongly encourage a book called semper fi, leadership in US marines. It is NOT about boot camp screaming and yelling.

Mike Powers yes Cardinal CEO recommends this book to all of the property managers! I’ve read a couple times now!

Jennifer Grzegorzewski if you've been immersed in the book, there isn't anything there that is bad advice 30 years later. Good leadership is timeless.

Read “it’s your ship”

Jesse Holland purchased! Thanks!

Don,t fix it if it’s not broken. I had over a 40 year career in pm

No better policy than honesty.

Congratulations!!

I think it’s all about approach when starting a position as a regional where you oversee on-site managers and have to give them input and direction. Be positive, helpful, knowledgeable and get them to make decisions like you would!

Congratulations!!

Hi Jennifer, this move from OSM to RPM is toughest in the business. You are moving from doing most things yourself to leading others to accomplishing their goals.

Jim Collins I think #4 I suffer from the most currently BY my regionals so I’ll Definitley be following that. This was so helpful thank you so much for the advice!

Jim Collins you have always had great insite and advice!

Angie N Chet Czentnar Aww, thanks Angie

Jim Collins Best advice ever!

Michele Liakos Thanks. Much appreciated

Any planners anyone has enjoyed using?

Jennifer Grzegorzewski for almost 40 years I’ve just used a spiral notebook. I doodle in it and it has become a valuable tool.

The move automatically puts you in a place of support of many. Remember that your one job is really to figure out how to motivate people to want to make you look good. Give credit to others every single time (sometimes slightly before deserved) and keep quick and short accounts if there is an issue. Be yourself. Transparent and real. When you are on site, jump in and help. When you leave, they should feel like they had an easier day because you were there (I describe this as the opposite of "helpfully unhelpful"). I love that you are asking. Shows great promise! Your company is likely lucky to have you!

Melody Garcia thanks so much for your advice! I have a “change the stigma” mentality because although I’ve had great regional mentors who were knowledgeable they were ruined by the toxic work environment and pressures of corporate. I don’t want another property manager to ever feel the way I have through at least half of my career thus far

Jennifer Grzegorzewski it's a tough business. Easy to become callused to the needs of others or to succumb to the pressure and stress of the industry. Decisions are easy to make when you know where you stand and who you are. Hoping your new company leans into the philosophy of "making good business decisions".... and not saying no for the sake of saying no. Lol. Keep bigger picture in mind and the fundamentals of success will follow. Congrats on your new role!

When I was a manager I told myself if I ever became a regional I would always treats my team members the same way I would want to be treated. I have been a regional for 8 years now and really feel that rule I set has made me successful. Pick your battles, don’t dwell on the small stuff and remember not everyone is going to always like your decisions congratulations

Take the CAM and CAPS certification classes through your NAA local affiliation. Great information and a great way to create a network of like appointed professionals

Lucinda Lilley even if my organization doesn’t participate in NAA?

Wow! I am on the vendor side and have never been in property management but I have to say I am IMPRESSED with all the comments! Congratulations Jennifer and wishing you much success!

Janet Moore Staring thank you!

Please just don’t forget what it’s like to be on site. So many forget that. Just tell them what you expect

Kevin Forste thank you!

Jennifer Grzegorzewski I think you’ll get a lot more respect and honesty. But seen it all over the past 35 years

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