We all have different ideas on what makes a good leader. For Chris Chen, it’s all about dedicating time and energy to understand each individual teammate under his charge.
With this philosophy, Chris inspired Jack and Aileen to take a more personal approach in their leadership style. Find out how Chris approaches leadership, and he has impacted teammates Jack, Aileen, and Liu Ming.
ERA: What does being a good leader mean to you?
Chris Chen: Forget about fame, glamour, or power. Leadership is not for show.
When a person decides to join your team and make you their mentor, you have full responsibility to take care of them as a leader. This responsibility stays with you for as long as your mentee remains under your charge. As a leader, you are partly liable for your mentee’s successes and failures.
A leader should create opportunities for the team, and ensure all teammates have a progressive, sustainable path to a prosperous business.
This is my philosophy on being a good leader.
ERA: How do you maintain such great performance when you’re leading such a big group of people?
Chris Chen: I actually dedicate most of my time and energy to my teammates. To get things done, I have learned to multitask. With time management and planning, I can complete and execute countless activities for my team. As leaders, I believe we must listen to our team. Understanding the needs of our people is the first step to building a successful team.
It doesn’t matter how big my team is, I make it a point to engage with my agents individually. I think even something as simple as a chat over coffee is important. I follow these six elements closely in my teambuilding efforts: Engaging, Collaborating, Inspiring, Innovating, Evolving, Achieving.
ERA: As busy as you are, how do you find time to coach and care for your people?
Chris Chen: I make time for my teammates. They know I’ll have a little talk with them every day, be it through messaging, social media, a phone call, or face-to-face. My team always know what I’m doing, and I always know what they are doing. For me, maintaining close contact with my teammates is essential.
ERA: What is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to conquer in leading your team? Is there anything you would do differently?
Chris Chen: The biggest obstacle for me is moving the team forward at the same pace. Everyone has a different model when it comes to their real estate business. Even so, I’m always trying to instil the same mindset and energy within the team, regardless of their seniority, background, or their level of career commitment.
I hope that regardless of seniority, background, experiences and time commitment, my team and I can be in tune with the same set of values, and carry out our business with the same level of energy. This is very difficult to achieve because everyone works differently.
ERA: What’s the best advice you’d give to someone who wants to rise up and lead?
Chris Chen: The most important question you have to ask yourself is: “Do I have the passion to help others succeed in their real estate career?” Yes, we are running a business, but helping someone achieve a life-changing career is priceless. The reward for successful leaders goes beyond the material. There is no such thing as rising alone. We rise as a team.
It is obvious from their accounts that Jack and Aileen hold Chris in high regard. Their experience with him bears testimony to his excellent leadership skills.
ERA: What attracted you to join Chris’ team in the beginning?
Jack Ooi: I was struck by his humility! He’s approachable no matter where, when, or why you meet him.
Aileen Yang: For me, I think his passion and attitude towards the Real Estate Industry is infectious.
ERA: What do you think is Chris’ best leadership quality?
Jack Ooi: The moment you tell him about your problems, you have his attention. He’s always genuine when it comes to hearing you out.
Aileen Yang: I think he has incredible patience when it comes to mentoring agents. He still gives his all when he faces difficulties as he mentors. He remains committed even if there are people who don’t appreciate it.
ERA: What was the most impactful advice or gesture that Chris has ever given or done for you?
Jack Ooi: To always stay focused, and to never stop growing.
Aileen Yang: For me, it’s the tip he gave me on staying professional: Be alert to the “moment of closing”. Understand a customer’s objections first before you start managing it.
How Chris inspired Aileen is evident as she takes in Liu Ming under her leadership. For Liu Ming, he’s deeply grateful for Aileen’s constant motivation as he began his journey as a real estate agent.
What attracted you to join Aileen’s team in the beginning?
Liu Ming: Perhaps you can call it fate. A few years ago when I went to the SkyPark show flat as a buyer, Aileen Yang presented the development to me. She was very professional and gave a great presentation. Even though I never bought a unit in SkyPark, I decided to go for the RES course to join her team.
What do you think is Aileen’s best leadership quality?
Liu Ming: It would be how she constantly supports me, especially when I was still new in the real estate industry. Aileen, and even her husband Jack, kept on encouraging me and gave me countless ideas to hang on to and persevere.
What was the most impactful advice or gesture that Aileen has ever given or done for you?
Liu Ming: As I head out to meet clients, Aileen would always remind me and advise me to listen to clients. She told me presentations are not only for you to talk to clients, but to listen and find out what they need. That advice has helped me tremendously in providing the best service to my clients.
Stick around for more great stories about the exceptional leaders in our midst.
We’d also love to hear your take on what makes a good leader, or if you have a great leader that you’d like to point out to us. Drop us an email at: [email protected]