I’m sure you’re a little concerned for me at this point, after all when I ran this idea past a few people, they asked me if I really wanted to be a woman. So please let me clarify, I do not want to become a woman. Furthermore, it’s not so much Julia herself but rather her portrayal of Erin Brockovich in the 2000 drama that I’m actually referencing. Starting a career in real estate, I find myself hoping to establish the kind of client/agent relationships that she was able to achieve.
I know some of you are thinking, “Why not Jerry Maguire…doesn’t that seem more appropriate?” Don’t get me wrong, I will always want to show my clients the money….but in terms of a great client/agent relationship, Julia’s character trumps Tom’s.
The penultimate scene for me occurs when Erin’s firm acquires the help of another well established lawyer. Erin’s research is questioned and said to be incomplete in regards to the 600+ plaintiffs in the case. She confidently smirks and dares them to challenge her knowledge of her clients. When they randomly select one of the 600+ plaintiffs, Erin tees off.
She gave the correct address, the names of their siblings and children, where they worked, how long they had lived there, detailed medical information on ‘all’ of the family members, and most importantly their wants, needs, and desires. She doesn’t hesitate and could have gone into much deeper detail. They got the point.
In the end, she gets what is ethically right for her clients and fights alongside them to realize nothing short of that. Her negotiation skills were so strong because she invested in her clients and fought for them as if they were her own flesh and blood. She loved her job, loved the people she worked with, and cared deeply about all of her clients. After all, how else could you remember that kind of information? If you don’t ‘truly’ care, it’s next to impossible.
Some people may not believe that, but I’m here to tell you it’s true. A mother at Lawrence Park C.I. once asked me how I was able to memorize so many names and faces, including some of the parents who were rarely at the school. I simply told her it was ‘love’. And the funny thing is, I had never really thought about it up to that point. It just kind of happened naturally and it felt right…the way it should be.
These kinds of relationships are paramount for me. My preference, as I’m beginning to build a business model that fits me, is to create a referral-based business that’s built on extraordinary and tireless service and integrity. Anything short of delivering amazing personalized services will not work for me or for my future clients. I know myself, and this challenge doesn’t scare me. I am excited and inspired and I can’t wait to spend time learning what my future clients need from me – I’d like to inspire them to such a degree that they can’t wait to share their great experience with others.