How I Survived the 9-5

When I first started at Landlord Property & Rental Management, I had zero property management experience. I spent my early 20s essentially self-employed. Working as a realtor in a city just west of Toronto - I was used to setting my own goals and following my own path.

When I made the move to Toronto, I joined LPRM as a Junior Account Manager. I was the main point of contact for a portfolio of investor clients, tasked with arranging both preventative and reactionary maintenance on their investment properties across the GTA.

Every day was different. The unpredictability of the role was stressful and at times I felt overwhelmed. I couldn't shake the feeling that at the end of each day, something I had done might cause a total office meltdown, resulting in my immediate dismissal. I realized I had to either adapt or quit.

Since I was new to the industry, I didn't have the wealth of knowledge to draw from like some of my colleagues. It was also my first real office job. Now, an acting member of the senior management team at LPRM, I remember some of the key lessons I've learned that helped ease the transition to working in an office environment:

"Know when to listen, and know when to speak up." I'm constantly reminding myself - listen first, then if necessary say something that adds value to the conversation. Forcing yourself to listen will not only allow you to absorb more information but you'll also have an opportunity to really understand the communication style of your colleagues and clients. Focus on observing their thought patterns and understanding how they navigate a conflict. This will help you to connect with them on a real level. Actually listening to someone is the first step in garnering their respect and appreciation.

"Over-communicate." 100% of all negative client feedback we receive stems from poor communication. I realized fairly early on that effective communication is one of the easiest ways to foster lasting client relationships. The difficult conversations are usually the most important and should be had at their earliest opportunity. If you're sending the details via email, make sure the email is structured for ease of reference and don't over-embellish anything. The client doesn't want flowery verbiage, they want accuracy. Don't let yourself become afraid of client contact - they're human too! When I find myself avoiding a client interaction I pick up the phone and call, nothing is as effective as the human connection.

"Trust your instincts." When I joined Landlord I was quiet - and I mean really quiet. I came to work, I sat at my desk and I took direction. As I familiarized myself with the company and with its mission statement I was able to really wrap my hands around where I felt we needed to go. Over the next few years I found my voice and since then I've realized that not only does my opinion matter, but my opinion has added value to the company in many different ways. Before you present a fresh perspective, ask yourself if it's in-line with the company's values. Make sure you aren't stepping on anyone's toes and present it in an exciting and respectful way. Keep in mind, depending on your industry and on the personalities of the people on your team they may see your initiative as a threat - as long as you're operating from place of integrity, push ahead (politely)!

"Stay focused." Not on what you're doing, but on why you're doing it. If you have an end-goal keep your eyes on it. Don't let the daily hiccups pull your focus into a ditch. Set yourself some exciting goals that help you align with your passions and build your career around them. We don't all start out loving what we do, but if you let go of those goals floating on the horizon - it's unlikely you'll meet them. When I sit and talk with friends or colleagues about their feelings of disappointment about where they are professionally, it's always due to lack of direction. Being mindful of what you focus on can quickly change everything around you. Map out your journey, both professional and personal and take control of it! If you can consciously move through your day from a place of gratitude, and unwavering focus, you'll be excited to see everything around you fall into place.