Back to Basics

Baseball season is now in full swing. The best players in the league trained hard during spring training just to prepare for the challenges of another season. Regardless of how many successful seasons a team has played, each year the athletes take time to get back to the basics during spring training. During this time, players refine their skills on the field, build comradery as a team, and strengthen their minds. The time and dedication the team members exhibit during these mundane and seemingly endless training sessions shape the athletes for a successful season.

There are many lessons we can learn from the way professional athletes prepare for baseball season. Below are a few parallels for you to consider as you seek to shape your team for a successful quarter, season, or the year ahead. In addition, consider registering for AAGO's Build Your Dream Team class on June 27th. This class will help you create a team that is focused on achieving your goals. 

1. Never under estimate the power of getting back to the basics.

When was the last time you and your team sat down to discuss your business’ mission and how each person plays a specific role to achieve this important goal? In the workplace, there is nothing more critical than your company’s mission and vision for success. Every team (No matter how successful) needs a refresher regarding the “why” behind your day to day operations. Similar to the way teams recalibrate during spring training, make sure that you take time out of your busy schedule to ensure your team understands your mission and feels inspired to carry out your company’s vision.

AAGO offers a wide variety of classes to help refresh your team on the basics of the industry. AAGO’s renowned introductory course, Leasing 101, helps team members learn more about the industry, best practices for leasing, and selling your brand to potential customers. Similarly, AAGO’s Advanced Leasing course will help take your team’s selling techniques to the next level. For more information regarding these courses, contact Lydia@AAGO.org.

2. MVP’s should be celebrated.

Each season, players lay it all on the field but there are some that rise above expectations. These players are known as MVP’s among their teammates and coaches. These individuals deserve to be celebrated for their skills, leadership, and dedication to the team. MVP’s in the workplace are equally valuable and it is important that these individuals know how special they are and the important skills they bring to the table each and every day.

3. Train for the long game.

There are nine innings in baseball, which requires players to be on top of their game for an extended period of time. Similar to these athletes, the members of your team need to be training for the long game.

What skills will they need to take their careers and your company to the next level? What professional development opportunities will set your team apart from the competition? These are all important questions to consider as you evaluate your team.  

AAGO can help you take your team to the next level with a wide variety of National Apartment Industry Certification and Designation courses. Programs include Certified Apartment Manager (CAM), Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT), Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS), and many more.  In addition, AAGO offers a Supervisory Skills course, which will help managers learn the best interview styles to hire right, how to provide timely and appropriate feedback, be an effective communicator and lead by example. For more information on these programs and how they can benefit your team, contact Lydia@AAGO.org.

4. Root, root, root for the home team!

Never underestimate the power of positivity in your organization. Your willingness to celebrate the little victories your team achieves along the way will pay big dividends on the score board.

AAGO’s Coaching for Peak Performance course can help you learn dynamic ways to encourage and manage your team for success. This class will help you apply advanced skills to conduct more compelling, collaborative, and rewarding coaching sessions with the talented members of your team. For more information regarding this class, contact Lydia@AAGO.org.

5. Remember there is always room for growth.

The greatest athletes and teams stay motivated to continuously improve and enhance their skills. Similarly, success in the workplace is dependent on the ability to strive for more. As a leader, you should exemplify the desire to improve and share this passion with your team members. In turn, this will motivate your team to focus on the big picture during day to day operations that can seem mundane.

AAGO has two dynamic programs specifically designed to help the talented members of your team grow and prepare to take on additional responsibilities within your organization. The association offers a Future Leaders program, which features four sessions that target Assistant Managers and Assistant Maintenance Technicians. During this class, students learn the essential skills to gain the knowledge and understanding necessary to become tomorrow’s leaders. Similarly, AAGO’s LEAP (Learn, Engage, Apply, Perform) program is designed to equip students with the necessary tools to lead successful teams. This program contains six sessions, is only offered once per year, and features instructors from both inside and outside the industry. For more information regarding these training programs, please contact Lydia@AAGO.org.