March 7, 2022

Books and Podcasts with a Positive Impact

Last month we dedicated one group coaching session to discussions about which books and podcasts bring a positive impact into our lives. Sometimes we get bogged down in our limiting beliefs. Taking time to read a book and explore new ways of thinking can help us move past that and give us bigger targets to shoot for as we grow.

Here’s the list we compiled. Which one do you think you’ll read next?

Books

Winning: The Unforgiving Race to Greatness by Tim Grover – Not everyone on the team enjoyed this book but it started a great discussion about “What does winning mean to us?” One agent on the team was impacted so strongly by this book that he ended up as the top agent the next month! You don’t have to be a sports lover to get something from this book.


 

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson


 

The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller – Regardless of your brokerage, this is a sales and marketing fundamentals book that you should read every year. If you implement even one thing from this book each year, your team will experience growth.


 

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene Brown – A favorite quote from the book is — “Those who fail to own their lives are owned by them and those who choose to own their life get to write the ending.


 

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John Maxwell – Another one you should read often! This book is great for book club because there is a free YouTube playlist that goes along with the book. Reading the book as a team allows everyone on the team to use the same vocabulary and be understood. This is an important part of building a team culture.


 

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek – Simon has several books that are all great. He also has a YouTube channel which is a great place to start. A favorite quote from Simon Sinek – “People will tell you that you need to learn how to listen. I would say that you need to learn how to speak last.


 

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – One member started to read it as a way to understand her rainmaker’s power and how to support them and work with them best as well as how to use her power with the team.


 

The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Coach Elizabeth’s favorite one-two punch for productivity is combining The ONE Thing with The 12-Week Year. If you can get your team to read both of those books, your team productivity will skyrocket! Psst… the secret is consistency.

Getting Things Done is another great method and Elizabeth recommends getting the workbook if you want to skip the theories behind the method and get right to work.


 

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni – You get the most important details but it’s based around a fictional team. 

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni is another great one in the same writing style.

The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni is a great book for figuring out the best questions when hiring and recruiting for your team. The Keller Williams KPA hiring process uses some of the questions from this book but if you are not part of Keller Williams, then this is definitely a good book to read before hiring.


 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey – A surprisingly insightful and entertaining book. Definitely get the audiobook on this one to listen to Matthew read!


 

Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To by David Sinclair – for those interested in health and wellness this is particularly interesting. It is written by a Harvard professor who has studied the source of aging and has some different perspectives and ideas for ways to live more vibrantly and longer.


 

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson – A short, easy, fun read. This follows the storyline of mice going through a maze in search of cheese and talks about change management and adaptation. Change is a constant – manage it! This is a classic!


 

Baby Steps Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth – And How You Can Too by Dave Ramsey – Another easy read. A great book that can help you individually to start small and grow wealth. It also speaks to a team and how the team can also grow wealth together as a team. Any book that can help you talk about money with the team is good.

Other books that can also open the door to money conversations are the books by Jen Sincero – You Are a Badass, You Are a Badass at Making Money, and You Are a Badass Every Day. These are fun, easy reads with lots of practical advice.


 

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depends On It by Chris Voss – A book about negotiating. It talks about how to have empathy and how to lead someone in a conversation to help them get past their limiting beliefs and roadblocks. We are more likely to open up when we are met with empathy. For example, I don’t want to talk about how I’m behind on my goals until after you approach me with empathy about my situation rather than just being upset with me for not hitting my goals.


Even more books that were mentioned

Shadows of the Neanderthal: Illuminating the Beliefs That Limit Our Organization by David Hutchens

F-it-Less: 18 F-Words To Reframe and Repurpose Your Life by Shaun Rawls

Fail Until You Don’t: Fight, Grind, Repeat by Bobby Bones

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Boundaries for Leaders: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life by Hal Elrod

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett

The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

The Surrender Experiment: My Journey Into Life’s Perfection by Michael A. Singer

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have: Creating the Seven Habits That Make a Remarkable Life by Greg Hiebert

1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently by Marc Chernoff

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Sean Covey

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

 

Podcasts

Podcasts are very popular these days. We asked our Group Coaching clients to tell us which podcasts they can’t wait to listen to each week in any category. Which podcasts do they rarely miss an episode of?

Here’s the list!

  • Ologies
  • Death, Sex, and Money
  • The ONE Thing Podcast
  • Crime Junkie
  • Tim Ferriss
  • Two Hot Takes
  • Bobbycast – Bobby Bones
  • Business Meets Spirituality
  • Impact Theory
  • The Rachel Hollis Podcast
  • By Micronesians for Micronesians
  • Nerd Soup
  • Empire Building
  • The Life Coach School Podcast
  • Art of Manliness
  • Change Your World
  • Your Move Podcast — Andy Stanley
  • The Leader Equation

 

Does Your Team Have a Book Club?

Does your real estate team read books together as a team? Or maybe have a goal to read a certain number of books per year?

Even if the whole book doesn’t resonate with everyone in the group, there is still something to take away from most books. One team found that they actually had MORE to discuss when they ended up choosing a book that wasn’t loved across the board. Having those different viewpoints created great jumping-off points for discussions.

The power of a book club is not necessarily just the book, but the language everyone can begin to use together which is part of the glue known as culture. Find something that is hopefully of interest to everyone but don’t stop at reading. Have the conversations. Take the ACTION. (We call that BOSSY!)

Related Posts

From Customer Service to Customer Experience: 6 Lessons for Ops Bosses® and Agents In the world of business, the difference between customer service and customer experience can often be subtle, yet profound. Understanding this distinction is crucial for fostering lasting relationships with clients. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience both aspects firsthand when I visited Alimond Studio to record a podcast and get new headshots. Here’s a glimpse into my visit and the valuable lessons I learned about the opportunities to elevate customer interactions. The Backstory: A Referral and a Brilliant Strategy My journey to Alimond began with a referral from a wonderful coaching client who had previously been a guest on their podcast “The Alimond Show”. The podcast, which has excellent info for entrepreneurs, also serves as a lead generation tool for the studio. (Brilliant, right?!) Guests are invited to be interviewed for the podcast, then offered the opportunity to take headshots. If they fall in love with the photos, they can purchase them. Additionally, the studio provides video clips for social media use, making the entire experience a win-win for both the studio AND the podcast guest. I greatly appreciated the referral and was eager to see what this unique approach had to offer. Lesson: Leveraging referrals and creating win-win scenarios can significantly enhance client engagement and business opportunities. The Warm Welcome: Setting the Stage for a Great Experience From the moment I booked my appointment, the photographer’s team demonstrated exceptional systems and processes. (You KNOW we love systems here at Ops Boss® Coaching!). Each step of the journey—from inquiry and interview, to appointment setting and appointment reminders, and post-photo shoot follow-ups—included scripted texts, videos and emails. Prior to my arrival, I even received a video that showed where to park and how to find their office on the second floor. This thoughtful touch made my visit stress-free and set a positive tone. The messages ensured 100% clarity around what was happening at each stage AND set the stage for great expectations of what was to come. Lesson: Clear communication that leaves nothing to chance significantly enhances the overall customer experience. Personal Touches: Enhancing the Customer Journey Upon reaching their studio, I was greeted by a personalized welcome sign at the top of the stairs. Seeing my name on that sign instantly made me feel valued and special. This small but significant detail exemplifies the difference between standard customer service and a memorable customer experience. The team guided me to an adorable private dressing room with full length mirror, great lighting, places to hang my outfits and an adorable “quote” wall. Signs encouraged selfies and Instagram posts. They offered me a cold drink, which was especially appreciated on a scorching hot day. These thoughtful gestures highlighted their commitment to creating a comfortable and fun experience. Next, we went downstairs to record the podcast. While they mic-ed me up, two people explained what we’d be doing and I was made to feel as comfortable as possible (well as comfortable as you can feel as an introvert with TWO cameras on you – HAHA!) However, recording the podcast was a breeze thanks to their clear explanations of the process. This level of preparation ensured I felt confident and at ease throughout the recording. Lesson: Thoughtful, unexpected touches (even when systematized) set a positive tone, make clients feel valued and turn customer service into an EXPERIENCE. The Photo Session: Balancing Efficiency with Personalization After the podcast, it was time for the photo session. While the process was efficient, there was one aspect that could have been improved: personalization. They didn’t ask why I was getting the headshots done, which resulted in generic poses and advice. It was only after I requested more fun shots in a second outfit change that I truly felt the photos reflected my personality. During the photo selection process, the person assisting me did ask personal questions (like when my birthday was). I’m sure this information will be incorporated into their follow-up touch program—a smart move for fostering long-term client relationships. Throughout my visit, I interacted with three different employees. (I already felt like I knew them because I had received an intro video prior to my visit.) Each one explained their role and seamlessly handed me off to the next person. Their approach made me feel like I was with an expert at each stage rather than being passed around. One person handled check-in and check-out, another recorded the podcast and took the photos, and a third interviewed me for the podcast. All these elements combined to create a cohesive and special experience, offering a welcome break from my day-to-day routine. Lesson: Personalization, questions and expert handoffs ensure clients feel understood and cared for at every stage of their journey. The Departure: A Lesson in Customer Care After making my photo selections and settling the payment, I was sent home with a lovely gift. However, as I left with my hands full of clothing, shoe changes, my laptop, and the fragile gift, I faced a small challenge. Navigating two flights of stairs with all these items proved difficult. I made it down safely and placed the gift on the roof of my car so I could juggle loading everything else. Unfortunately, two streets later, the gift was still on my roof and smashed in a million pieces as I accelerated. An offer to help carry my belongings down would have been a simple yet impactful way to conclude the experience on a high note. Lesson: Small things matter. Your final interaction is a great opportunity to do something simple and appreciated to set you apart. Conclusion: Striving for Excellence in Customer Experience This visit underscored the importance of going beyond good customer service to create an exceptional customer experience. The systems and hospitality at the photographer’s studio were impressive. There were areas for improvement that could have made my visit even more memorable. AND overall, they really did knock it out of the park. For real estate agents (AND their real estate administrative professionals, executive assistants, small business Ops Bosses® and directors of operations), the key takeaway is to pay attention to every detail of the customer journey. Personalized interactions, proactive assistance, and thoughtful systematized touches transform a routine service into a remarkable experience. ACTION ITEM: We all experience poor, good and great service in the interactions we have daily. Reflect on those experiences. What have you learned as a customer that you can implement in the business you work in to drive excellence, customer loyalty and REFERRALS?! An Example: A Personalized WOW Touch for Real Estate Teams Here’s an example of personalization that I implemented when I was DOO of a real estate team. When you list a home and send the photographer out, ask them to be on the lookout for pets. If the sellers have pets, have the photographer snap some candid shots of them. You can then take the best picture and order a canvas wall print to present to the sellers. This surprise gift often results in a “WOW” moment that is both personalized and deeply appreciated, showcasing the extra mile your team is willing to go to make clients feel special. I guarantee you that pet owners LOVE their animals like part of the family. When you do this, they will tell everyone they know about their amazing Realtor®. THAT results in referrals! And THAT is bossy!

From Customer Service to Customer Experience: 6 Lessons for Ops Bosses® and Agents In the world of business, the difference between customer service and customer experience can often be subtle, yet profound. Understanding this distinction is crucial for fostering lasting relationships with clients. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience both aspects firsthand when I visited Alimond Studio to record a podcast and get new headshots. Here’s a glimpse into my visit and the valuable lessons I learned about the opportunities to elevate customer interactions. The Backstory: A Referral and a Brilliant Strategy My journey to Alimond began with a referral from a wonderful coaching client who had previously been a guest on their podcast “The Alimond Show”. The podcast, which has excellent info for entrepreneurs, also serves as a lead generation tool for the studio. (Brilliant, right?!) Guests are invited to be interviewed for the podcast, then offered the opportunity to take headshots. If they fall in love with the photos, they can purchase them. Additionally, the studio provides video clips for social media use, making the entire experience a win-win for both the studio AND the podcast guest. I greatly appreciated the referral and was eager to see what this unique approach had to offer. Lesson: Leveraging referrals and creating win-win scenarios can significantly enhance client engagement and business opportunities. The Warm Welcome: Setting the Stage for a Great Experience From the moment I booked my appointment, the photographer’s team demonstrated exceptional systems and processes. (You KNOW we love systems here at Ops Boss® Coaching!). Each step of the journey—from inquiry and interview, to appointment setting and appointment reminders, and post-photo shoot follow-ups—included scripted texts, videos and emails. Prior to my arrival, I even received a video that showed where to park and how to find their office on the second floor. This thoughtful touch made my visit stress-free and set a positive tone. The messages ensured 100% clarity around what was happening at each stage AND set the stage for great expectations of what was to come. Lesson: Clear communication that leaves nothing to chance significantly enhances the overall customer experience. Personal Touches: Enhancing the Customer Journey Upon reaching their studio, I was greeted by a personalized welcome sign at the top of the stairs. Seeing my name on that sign instantly made me feel valued and special. This small but significant detail exemplifies the difference between standard customer service and a memorable customer experience. The team guided me to an adorable private dressing room with full length mirror, great lighting, places to hang my outfits and an adorable “quote” wall. Signs encouraged selfies and Instagram posts. They offered me a cold drink, which was especially appreciated on a scorching hot day. These thoughtful gestures highlighted their commitment to creating a comfortable and fun experience. Next, we went downstairs to record the podcast. While they mic-ed me up, two people explained what we’d be doing and I was made to feel as comfortable as possible (well as comfortable as you can feel as an introvert with TWO cameras on you – HAHA!) However, recording the podcast was a breeze thanks to their clear explanations of the process. This level of preparation ensured I felt confident and at ease throughout the recording. Lesson: Thoughtful, unexpected touches (even when systematized) set a positive tone, make clients feel valued and turn customer service into an EXPERIENCE. The Photo Session: Balancing Efficiency with Personalization After the podcast, it was time for the photo session. While the process was efficient, there was one aspect that could have been improved: personalization. They didn’t ask why I was getting the headshots done, which resulted in generic poses and advice. It was only after I requested more fun shots in a second outfit change that I truly felt the photos reflected my personality. During the photo selection process, the person assisting me did ask personal questions (like when my birthday was). I’m sure this information will be incorporated into their follow-up touch program—a smart move for fostering long-term client relationships. Throughout my visit, I interacted with three different employees. (I already felt like I knew them because I had received an intro video prior to my visit.) Each one explained their role and seamlessly handed me off to the next person. Their approach made me feel like I was with an expert at each stage rather than being passed around. One person handled check-in and check-out, another recorded the podcast and took the photos, and a third interviewed me for the podcast. All these elements combined to create a cohesive and special experience, offering a welcome break from my day-to-day routine. Lesson: Personalization, questions and expert handoffs ensure clients feel understood and cared for at every stage of their journey. The Departure: A Lesson in Customer Care After making my photo selections and settling the payment, I was sent home with a lovely gift. However, as I left with my hands full of clothing, shoe changes, my laptop, and the fragile gift, I faced a small challenge. Navigating two flights of stairs with all these items proved difficult. I made it down safely and placed the gift on the roof of my car so I could juggle loading everything else. Unfortunately, two streets later, the gift was still on my roof and smashed in a million pieces as I accelerated. An offer to help carry my belongings down would have been a simple yet impactful way to conclude the experience on a high note. Lesson: Small things matter. Your final interaction is a great opportunity to do something simple and appreciated to set you apart. Conclusion: Striving for Excellence in Customer Experience This visit underscored the importance of going beyond good customer service to create an exceptional customer experience. The systems and hospitality at the photographer’s studio were impressive. There were areas for improvement that could have made my visit even more memorable. AND overall, they really did knock it out of the park. For real estate agents (AND their real estate administrative professionals, executive assistants, small business Ops Bosses® and directors of operations), the key takeaway is to pay attention to every detail of the customer journey. Personalized interactions, proactive assistance, and thoughtful systematized touches transform a routine service into a remarkable experience. ACTION ITEM: We all experience poor, good and great service in the interactions we have daily. Reflect on those experiences. What have you learned as a customer that you can implement in the business you work in to drive excellence, customer loyalty and REFERRALS?! An Example: A Personalized WOW Touch for Real Estate Teams Here’s an example of personalization that I implemented when I was DOO of a real estate team. When you list a home and send the photographer out, ask them to be on the lookout for pets. If the sellers have pets, have the photographer snap some candid shots of them. You can then take the best picture and order a canvas wall print to present to the sellers. This surprise gift often results in a “WOW” moment that is both personalized and deeply appreciated, showcasing the extra mile your team is willing to go to make clients feel special. I guarantee you that pet owners LOVE their animals like part of the family. When you do this, they will tell everyone they know about their amazing Realtor®. THAT results in referrals! And THAT is bossy!

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Rewards Program: You Can Make Wishes Come True!

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FLASH SALE: National Pandemonium Day!

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How To Build A Predictable, Purpose Driven Business (Divorce Real Estate)
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