As a licensed professional in the USA, Canada and many locations in Europe and beyond. You will have needed to undertake real estate education to become a real estate agent. You will also need on occasion to undertake a certain number of hours of education when it comes time to renew your license.
With a wealth of knowledge, training, skills and experience readily available with just a quick google search. Learning new skills, expanding your knowledge and shaping your business can be just a few clicks away. If you have done any level of search. You will probably also have noticed how interchangeable the terms; education, training and coaching are in many of the sites or articles you have landed on. However, there is a distinct difference.
What’s the difference between real estate coaching and Real Estate Education?
Real Estate Education or Training
Real estate education is great. It teaches you the in’s and out’s of the industry, the legalities, the ethics and will ensure you know how to conduct yourself and your business as a registered real estate agent. However, the emphasis is on the word Teaches.
To teach means to impart knowledge. Whereby the teacher shares their knowledge and experience with you. So that you may learn to do what they have done.
The same can be said about training. Once you have received your license, there is a likelihood that you will at some point attend various training events.
However, these again tend to be focused on a specific topic. To pass knowledge and learn from the trainer to those in attendance.
- Transferring knowledge
- Often in a group environment
- Frequently off-site or at a special facility
- Often used for new hires
- Usually structured
- Focused on learning objectives
- Formal
- Uses the telling, showing, letting and testing model
- Trainer directs the learning
- Low to no level of accountability
Real Estate Coaching
Real estate coaching is centred around you. You’re knowledge and skills and how best to enhance these so that you can bring out and utilise what you already know or have in your possession.
Whilst the aim may still be to learn new skills or achieve certain goals. The on-going nature of a coaching relationship provided you with the support and accountability you need to reach your full potential and maximise your business.
It is a partnership whereby the coach is dedicated to your success. Helping you create actions that will lead to you succeeding. It may require uncomfortable conversations. Where the coach will provide you with observations and space to uncover what’s been holding you back.
Such as; bad habits, limiting beliefs or self-sabotage that stop you from reaching the level of success you want.
- Enhances knowledge or skills
- Usually one on one
- Usually on the job
- Focused on creating behaviours and performance that supports the success
- Usually unstructured
- Client/Coachee lead
- Coach asks questions that facilitate critical thinking and decision making
- development-focused
- High level of accountability
The benefits of getting a Real Estate coach as a real estate agent
Whilst real estate education still has its place in helping you grow. If you truly want to succeed, then hiring a coach is the best way to achieve this. Unlike in a training environment, your coach will listen attentively to what it is you are saying. Asking you deep questions around what is said and sometimes what is not said. The aim; to be focused at all times on you and the problem you have or issue you are focused on.
Not being actively involved in your personal or professional life, allows the coach to remain objective. After all, they are here to help you. They have no interest in a particular outcome other than the one that serves you best. Meaning they can provide, honest and critical feedback that will help achieve your goals.
The level of insight a real estate coach can bring can help you make sense of a difficult situation. Through their observations of you and the situation, you bring to coaching. They will be able to provide guidance specific to your experience and also through their knowledge or that they have gained from similar client situations.
What to look for in a real estate coach
Whilst coaching in its purest form doesn’t require that the coach has experience in your industry. Finding one that has had hands-on experience as a real estate agent/broker will further support you in this journey.
Whilst not licensed at present. Any reputable coach will have undergone 150 + hours of specific coach training. Additionally, they will have achieved accreditation through the ICF or ECMA
My experience
Having had 12 + years in real estate. I founded the largest independently owned brokerage in Portugal 10 years ago. Have been responsible for over 4 million GCI annually. Led a team of 60 agents and won the international property awards for 9 consecutive years.
Having undertaking advanced certified coach training with ICA. I am an accredited ACC coach with the international coaching federation. Working exclusively with the real estate industry to support agents and realtors in achieving their full potential.
