Congruence – Tying It All Together.

30 Oct Congruence – Tying It All Together.

Congruence - Tying It All Together.

At this time in my life, I have harmony.

In the old days, I didn't know what I needed or, importantly, Who I was.

Had you asked me then what my core values were, or beliefs that I held, I would have looked blank.

Over the years, they have sort of crept up on me. Until I'm now, at this stage, where I know precisely Who I am, what I believe and what matters most to me.

The way I think and feel is, finally, also the way I behave.

That congruence has provided me with more confidence, more energy and more awareness of the world.

When I started on the road to embracing Personal Brand back in 2018, my good friend, Christopher Watkin, asked me on his video interview what agents needed to have in order to build a Personal Brand.

My response was that they first require Authenticity.

Much of which today, in the real estate sector, both here and Stateside, is often sadly missing.

Agents making a vendor's decision even harder -  with  unnecessarily complicated, competitive and transactional process, all whilst hiding behind the "mask" of Local Property Expert, or corporate brand awareness.

Agents being incongruent and inauthentic. Told, by others, how to think, what to say and how to act to best convince and convert.

Authenticity is essentially what we show to the outer world.

Congruence, though, is when what we then reveal matches our inner beliefs.

Agents being effectively told to "Feel the fear and do it anyway" when it comes to the question of door-knocking, video or self-employment have a big internal battle on their hands.  The "fear" won't go away just because they are shamed by others into making the leap. There has to be congruent action, one way or another. The real danger comes from not being true to oneself.

I'm not afraid to knock doors. I'm simply respectful of privacy.

I'm not afraid to do video - I just prefer to write the words.

I wouldn't be afraid to become self-employed. I've done both when the time has been right.

I choose to be true to my beliefs and convictions.

There is often confusion about the terminology. Agents can be authentic on the outside - confident, gregarious, polished, perfected and professional. That's the image they portray, On the inside, they're probably just like all the others - seeking approval, fearing rejection and avoiding any form of transparency because it makes them vulnerable.

Fear of rejection isn't unique to real estate. But it's when we embrace that vulnerability, when we aren't attached to the outcome, that we allow others to see the real us. And, if they like what they see, then start to trust.

Being authentic doesn't confine us to a "box"  It's when we lack authenticity and congruence that we become trapped.

It's a direction, not a destination.

Congruence ties together my four other core values.

Kindness, Curiosity, Integrity, Candour.

What you see is finally what you get.

I have said previously that Personal Brand isn't greater visibility, but greater transparency.

In this commodity sector of estate agency, if you don't stand out, you're invisible. A tiny cog in a big wheel.

Trying constantly to become "better than" is a lost cause.

"Different from" will set you apart.  There's no easier or better way to be different from than by being Who you are.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Here's how to reach me if the need arises:

www.andsothestorybegan.co.uk

www.persuasivewords.co.uk

chris@andsothestorybegan.co.uk

Mob: (44) 07369251435