World's Best Regional Manager

We once got an anonymous question in our Multifamily ShareSpace group (which I highly recommend you check out for absolutely fantastic discussions and fun) asking, “What pieces of advice do you have for a brand new Regional Manager?”  We had so many great responses, I wanted to share them here!

Listen to your staff. ALL OF THEM. Too many Managers don’t allow staff to speak with Regionals. It’s important to know what’s going on in all aspects of the property’s day to day operations!!

                - Eric Rivera

Remember, as a Regional you are there to support the site staff.

                - Dawn Ford

Do not perform front line work.

                - John Ridgeway

Don’t expect what you don’t inspect!

                - Todd Locker

Observe. Don’t go in on day one and make huge changes. Get buy in and include your staff in decisions about their properties.

                - Amy Harris

Don’t ask someone to do something you are not willing or able to do yourself...

                - Teresa Swift

Never forget what it was like to work onsite when setting goals and expectations.

                - Christopher Koback

Read the entire email before responding.

                - Penny Piper

Do not forget that you were once not a regional. Remember all of the things that you disliked about those above you and work on improving those areas and not becoming that person. Like someone said above, listen to your staff. Include your staff. Listen to their ideas and concerns. Some of the best ideas come from the groundskeeper and leasing agents. Always make your staff feel as if they are part of the process-Instead of just being the process. Lastly, cross train! A lot of people are afraid to train their staff because they don’t want to risk being replaced. That’s silly thinking and only causes more stress and work for you. I was a regional for 3000 units over five states. Having good informed and trained staff who know every aspect of the business, even if it’s not their job, makes life so much easier! When they know what’s going on and they know the job, they can make your life easier. Work smarter not harder!

                - Tamie Poe

Work each Property in all capacities for a week.

                - Valerie Vincent

Lead by example. If you wouldn't do something why would expect your team to? I had a Regional who would walk through garbage on her way to and from her car who would NEVER bend to pick it up. Instead she would text or call someone on the team. On the other hand I had a Regional who wouldn't hesitate to get down and dirty if need be. Guess who the team respected more?

                - Donna Henrickson

1) Don’t be a victim of on-site amnesia, where you forget what it’s like in the trenches and have unrealistic expectations.

2) Also back your staff when you field calls from residents, trying to go around the onsite staff to get different results from the resident. (obviously within reason)

3) remember you can delegate the task, not the responsibility

4) Don’t be a bottleneck and empower your people to make decisions

5) Don’t micromanage, this is probably the biggest rookie mistake we see new Regionals make

                - Megan Orser

Ask your team for their individual levels of preferred involvement/autonomy. Watch for stressors to know when to help. Find a balance and correlation between numbers drivers and human interaction.

                - Jessica Derkis

Always treat everyone with dignity and respect.

                - Mike Heath

Compassion goes a long way!

                - Mary Evans

On board your teams with a 90-day system. First 30 days tell them call and ask me anything. Next 30 call and tell me what you want to do. The last 30 days call and tell me what you did. Support them in decisions. Explain why when you make decisions that are not the same as them so they learn to think like you.

                - Donje Putnam

That is actually only about half the list!  I highly recommend visiting the original discussion for the full list!  Check it out here.