I’ve always thought that every event in life prepares us for the next step in our journey. I think that is why teaching was a great playpen in which to learn how to motivate, connect and enrich others’ lives. But maybe, just maybe, the best age group to teach is kindergarten. There, in that classroom, is where the teacher often becomes the student as these marvelous five and six-year olds school many masters along the way.

I would almost recommend every leasing consultant be required to “student teach” at least for one semester. For in these classrooms filled with inquisitive little minds, we are taught. Taught the lessons, when learned and assimilated into the multifamily community, lead to great discoveries.

What did I learn from students? So many things. Take your pick.

Once, I had a little kindergarten girl who had a habit of pouting whenever she didn’t get her way. One day, I called her over so I could quietly talk to her. I told her that when I was a little girl and my dad saw me and my brothers pouting and our lower lips were sticking out, he would say, “A little bird is going to come along and poop on your lip.” The wide-eye look she shot told me she completely got the message. From that moment on, all I had to say when I saw her pouting was “Bird” and she would stop.

Multifamily Lesson: Sometimes we all need Code Words to stop unwanted behavior. For example, “Smile” when you are on the phone so that you portray happiness and energy when talking to Prospects.

I really loved telling stories to the children. It was just always a fun way to start and end the day. One time I had planned a lesson (on what I forget) but I gave each child a paper with a picture of a jukebox on it. They all asked me what it was. I told them, “It’s a jukebox.” One of them said, “Oh, Mrs. Sharp, you mean it’s a Juice Box.” I said, “No, it’s called a jukebox. It plays records.” All of them said in unison, “What’s a record?”

Multifamily Lesson: Does your Office and Team keep up with technology? Do you have the up-to-date tools needed to reach your full potential? iPads anyone?

Sometimes our school would classify certain days as a “Spirit Day” or some other theme. One day I wore a dress a little more dressy than usual (and it wasn’t any specially designated day.) One of boys looked at me and said, “Mrs. Sharp, is it beautiful day?” (I gave him an ‘A’ in Kindergarten! =)

Occasionally, other teachers would have my class for Gym, Art, Music or for Library time. Once, one of those teachers asked the kids, “What is your favorite time in school?” fully expecting them to answer, PE, or Recess, or Art. Instead, one of the kids said, “When Mrs. Sharp is here!”

Multifamily Lesson: Do your Residents appreciate the Team? Does your Team do special things to ensure Residents understand everything the Maintenance Team does for them? We do need to educate our Residents but it is oh, so nice when they just get it! Keep those little notes Residents write to you or the team and re-read them on “those days.” You know what I mean!

The best part of teaching is knowing when the concept you are trying so hard to get across is finally gotten. I particularly liked having lessons that were designed to point out the obvious. As adults, ordinary things somehow lose their magic, but when you are only five, sometimes, it is fresh and new and fun. One time, I placed branches with leaves from different kinds of trees on each of the tables in my kindergarten classroom. Then each little table group would go from table to table to study each branch. So excited! Finding an acorn, a pine cone, a berry, feeling the roughness of bark, finding SAP was all wonderful to them. When one of the kids found a bug it almost sent them over the edge with joy!

Multifamily Lesson: When was the last time your Leasing Team felt the magic of ordinary methods? Do you provide opportunities for continuing education and true learning experiences? When was the last time you felt over the edge with joy?

During the holidays one time, I gave all the kids nine Christmas lights to cut out to put on their trees. One of the little girls could not find the 9 lights she had cut out. The little boy next to her helped her look but they could not find them. His tree looked great with the 18 lights he had on it!

Multifamily Lesson: Do your Leasing Consultants take the credit for leases that may not really be theirs? How fair are your commission and bonus structures?

Every year, teachers must conduct skills assessments. With kindergarteners, you must assess each child one at a time. I completed mine while the students were working in Centers. I was going through the assessment with one child and he said, “Well, I think we better stop now so I can get back to work.”

Multifamily Lesson: When was the last time work was play and play was work for you and your team? Think about it.