After 44 years, my childhood family home has gone on the market for auction—a place filled with cherished memories from when I was 8 years old and my brother was 4. I clearly remember the day we moved in. I went off to school in the morning leaving home from our old house and then afterschool mum met me at the school gate with my little brother and we walked home to the new house. As if I was ever going to forget we were moving house and walk back to the old house, because this new house had a swimming pool. Never mind that it was June 1980 and freezing cold in Christchurch. I still dropped my pants and jumped straight in! And jumped straight back out!!!
As an experienced sales leader, it’s been fascinating to be on what can be best described as the ‘other side of the sales process’. And let me tell you, it's not easy to let go of control! Never mind the size of the sale. It’s not my sale or one of my sales teams sale, its in the hands of experienced sales people who specialise in selling residential properties.
What’s made this transition smoother is the incredible professionalism of the two former Olympians turned real estate agents we’re working with. Their approach has been nothing short of impressive. Despite my sales background, I had to recognise that, in this case, they are the experts. Their strategic sales process, backed by years of experience and discipline, has been a masterclass in how to engage with prospective buyers or purchasers—listening deeply, anticipating needs, handling objections, and creating a clear path to success. There is a sales process in every sales transaction whether it be selling services, products, or family homes.
For the sale of our family home to be a success, I know I need to trust the real estate agents expertise and observe their process, just like I ask my clients to trust my approach in the world of sales. This experience has reminded me that no matter how experienced we are, the key to success often lies in trusting the professionals around you and embracing the process they’ve perfected from their real-life experiences.
I am grateful to these real estate agents for not just their stellar execution, but also for the trust they’ve earned in guiding us through this large and emotional decision.
#SalesLeadership #OlympianMindset #ClientTrust #TrustTheProcess #LifeTransitions