Leadership Institute: Dynamic, Encouraging & Open for Applicants!
By Tracey C. Velt
As a member of the inaugural Women’s Council of REALTORS® Leadership Institute, Regina Scott, GRI, SFR, PMN, supervising broker–Peninsula offices of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty in Newport News, Virginia, says she owes her success to the leadership training and encouragement she received at that event. “The leadership skills that I obtained by being a member of such an energizing and collaborative organization have enhanced my ability to bring value and vision to the dynamic group of REALTORS® that I lead today. [It also helped me excel in] position as Governor for Women's Council of REALTORS® Virginia,” says Scott.
Learn to Strategize
The Leadership Institute is a ten-month program that develops leaders who have demonstrated leadership potential through their local and state networks, to create a network of industry experts across the country who are actively involved in improving our Council.
“I’ve participated in other Leadership Academies, so I was skeptical when I went to my first meeting of the Women's Council Leadership Academy,” says Amy Snook of All About Florida Homes Team with Lang Realty in Boca Raton, Florida. “I quickly realized that Women's Council's program was very different. The strategic approach used to teach us how to be thoughtful, evaluate and process your thoughts, and deliver a meaningful message, whether in a formal presentation, casual conversation, or a leadership opportunity, was amazing.”
Says Scott, “Women’s Council of REALTORS® Leadership Institute was one of the best professional experiences I’ve had. It fostered a dynamic and encouraging environment that allowed me to feel comfortable pushing my boundaries. Last year was a phenomenal growth year both personally and professionally, and I believe my involvement with Women's Council had a major impact on that growth.”
Who Should Apply?
Applicants must be a Women's Council National member-in-good standing and REALTOR®, REALTOR-Associate® or REALTOR® Association Executive who have served on the local network level and have some experience at the state or national level of Women's Council. Applicants will have demonstrated a commitment to expand their knowledge and involvement in the industry as well as seek greater involvement in the Women's Council's national leadership. Applicants should hold the PMN designation. The Leadership Institute is limited to no more than 18 participants each year. Applications are due July 1, and applicants are chosen in August.
Learn to Lead
Chelsea Hough, the team owner of Boise Guru, Keller Williams Realty in Boise, Idaho, applied so she could grow as a team leader at her brokerage. "The mission of the Council is to create leaders, and that is what this program does. I was in the pilot class, and they knocked it out of the park. Every time we got together, we [were taught] an out-of-the-box way of learning or skill-building that was engaging and fun.”
Most Institute attendees came in with experience in leadership already. For Snook and others, the benefit was being pushed beyond what you considered leadership. “I would only encourage others to participate if they are willing to be vulnerable, take risks, and go outside of their comfort zone,” says Snook. “Otherwise, it’s the same old, same old. If you are open and follow the [program], you will experience tremendous growth.”
Learn to Build Lifelong Relationships
The Leadership Institute is a ten-month commitment from February 2022 to November 2022. This includes attendance at the following three meetings: A dedicated two-day training event in Chicago in March, the Midyear Meeting in Washington, DC, in May, and the National Conference in Orlando in November. Other meetings will be held via telephone or video conference in between the meetings. Leadership Institute participants must commit to attending all three meetings.
What do they get in return in addition to second-to-none leadership skills? Lifelong relationships. “The relationships with the other class members are my favorite part,” says Hough. “I am deeply connected to each of the participants, and we all plan to keep that connection going forward. Where else do you have 100% support of 15 other women?” Snook agrees. “I learned to be more tolerant of others' [leadership and communication] styles. I learned that input from the others provides us with a better overall result than each of us going at it alone. I was amazed at the relationships built.”
For 2022, the $495 application and participation fee is due by December 31, 2021, and covers tuition costs. The March training is fully covered by the Women's Council (air, hotel, meals.) The Midyear Meeting and the National Conference are at the participant's expense.
“If you’re ready to learn more about yourself as a leader, take a dive deep into who you are, and focus on who you want to become, this is the perfect platform to do it,” says Shannon Olsen, broker-owner of My Utah Agents in Clearfield, Utah. “This truly felt like the Council's way to give back to its members in a different way. It's exclusive. It's an honor, and it's worth the [time and expense] investment.”
The application period for the 2022 Leadership Institute will be open until July 1, 2021 (opened June 1, 2021).
About the Contributor
Tracey C. Velt is a freelance writer who specializes in real estate.
