Here's how you can effectively set goals and expectations with your boss in a corporate real estate role.

Grasping the full scope of your responsibilities is crucial in a corporate real estate role. This could include managing property portfolios, negotiating leases, or overseeing facility operations. Have a detailed discussion with your boss about expectations and how success will be measured. This clarity will help you set realistic goals and avoid misunderstandings, ensuring your work aligns with the company's objectives and your career growth.

Setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—is essential. In corporate real estate, this might involve reducing facility costs by a specific percentage within a year or securing a set number of new leases. Align these goals with your department's strategic objectives. This approach provides a clear, trackable roadmap for success that you and your boss can easily follow.

I think we all need to familiarize ourself with the company’s overall strategic goals and objectives. This ensures that the goals we set are aligned with the broader mission and vision of the organization. Understand the company’s current priorities and how our role and goals fit into these priorities. This helps in setting relevant and impactful objectives. Develop a detailed action plan that outlines the steps we’ll take to achieve our goals, including timelines and resources needed. Then identify the resources, tools, and support required to meet our objectives and discuss these with our seniors/boss to ensure they are available.

Thorough preparation is key before discussing goals with your boss. Research market trends, analyze the company’s real estate portfolio, and review past performance. This shows your commitment and helps you propose informed, relevant goals. Understanding factors like economic indicators and zoning laws that affect corporate real estate will lead to more meaningful discussions and effective goal-setting.

Clear communication is crucial when setting goals and expectations. Present your objectives in a structured manner, explaining the rationale behind each one, and be open to feedback. Ensure both you and your boss have a mutual understanding and agreement on the goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Effective communication builds trust and ensures you’re both aligned in your efforts.

Regular follow-ups are essential to keep goals on track. Schedule periodic check-ins to report progress, discuss challenges, and adjust goals if necessary. Corporate real estate markets can change rapidly, so staying flexible and proactive is key. Regular updates demonstrate accountability and provide opportunities to celebrate achievements, keeping both you and your boss motivated.

Embracing feedback is vital for growth and improvement. In corporate real estate, feedback can offer insights into market dynamics or internal processes you might have missed. View feedback as a learning tool and use it to refine your strategies. Whether positive or constructive, feedback helps you enhance performance and shows your boss that you are committed to continuous improvement.