Pro Tip First: Use the Stop, Keep, Start Framework for Continuous Improvement
One of the most effective ways to evaluate and improve any area of your business or leadership style is by using the Stop, Keep, Start method. Whether you’re looking to enhance your team’s performance, refine systems, or assess your leadership approach, these three simple questions can help you identify what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where you can make improvements. In this post, we applied this framework to leadership feedback from Directors of Operations, but feel free to use it to assess any area of your life or business.
Now The Secrets . . .
In the fast-paced world of real estate and entrepreneurial businesses, agents & team owners often rely heavily on their Director of Operations (DOO) or administrative team to run the show behind the scenes. But have you ever stopped to consider what your ops team secretly wishes you knew about leading them effectively?
We surveyed operations professionals—Directors of Operations, Executive Assistants, and administrative leaders—and asked three key questions to uncover how you can elevate your leadership:
- What’s one thing you wish your leader would STOP doing?
- What’s one thing you wish your leader would START doing?
- What’s one thing you wish your leader would KEEP doing?
The answers reveal actionable insights for building stronger admin teams, improving operations, and fostering a culture of trust and productivity.
STOP: What’s Holding Your Leadership Back?
1. Stop Sending Mixed Signals
“Stop being generous and then half-walking it back.” “I wish she would prioritize our 1:1 meetings.” Consistency is key. If you make a commitment—whether it’s a policy, a bonus, a meeting schedule, or a decision—follow through to build trust with your team.
2. Stop Micromanaging Your Admin
Micromanagement is a common frustration: “Stop micromanaging me after trusting me to do my job.” Admin professionals thrive on autonomy. Constant oversight not only wastes time but also undermines the trust required for a high-performing operations team.
3. Stop Adding Last-Minute Chaos
Leaders often underestimate how last-minute tasks disrupt workflow. Ops professionals said: “Stop assigning urgent tasks with unrealistic deadlines” and “Stop being so reactive—it creates unnecessary chaos.” A more proactive approach can significantly enhance your team’s efficiency.
4. Stop Overstepping Boundaries
Work-life balance isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. One ops professional shared: “Stop texting me at all hours of the night.” Respecting personal time helps your team avoid burnout and remain motivated.
START: What Can You Do to Empower Your Director of Operations?
1. Show Appreciation and Recognition
Your ops team craves acknowledgment: “Tell me directly what you appreciate about me” and “Recognize the ops team more frequently.” Recognition drives engagement and helps your team feel valued.
Actionable Tip: Build a culture of gratitude. Send personal thank-you notes, highlight wins in team meetings, or use small acts of recognition to show your appreciation.
2. Build Trust and Deliver Clear Feedback
Operations leaders want to feel trusted. Responses like “Trust me to do my job” were echoed alongside calls for more clarity: “Give more actionable feedback—don’t wait until there’s a crisis to share input.” “Give more feedback and more clear feedback, not just to me, but also to our agents. We largely hear from him the most when something is extraordinarily good or extremely bad, but I think people just need to hear about progress, too.”
Actionable Tip: Foster trust by delegating fully and offering feedback regularly—not just during exceptional successes or mistakes.
3. Lean Into Growth Opportunities for Yourself AND Your Admin Team
One standout comment was: “Do your own leadership coaching homework and focus on improving the business, not just running it.” Others noted the value of professional growth opportunities, both for leaders and the operations team. Almost every respondent said they wished they had access to Elite 1:1 Operations Coaching
Actionable Tip: Invest in leadership training, admin coaching programs, and professional development resources to empower your DOO and support their career growth.
4. Improve Communication and Connection
Your team values meaningful engagement. From “Be fully present in meetings” to “Prioritize our 1:1 sessions,” to “Make me a priority,” the feedback points to a desire for stronger communication, consistency and intentional leadership.
Actionable Tip: Block off time to meet with your operations team and treat those meetings as sacred—no distractions, just focused attention on their goals and challenges.
5. Lead By Example:
“I wish my leader would start being the example for the other agents on the team through routine, actions, and standards.” Walking the talk is important to your DOO.
Actionable Tip: If you’re not already in coaching as a Business Owner, you should be. Reach out if you need connections. It’s a great way to level up so your actions match your intentions and your audio matches your visuals!
KEEP: What’s Already Working in Your Leadership?
Your admin leaders don’t want everything to change. They also appreciate what you’re doing right.
1. Keep Being Generous
Generosity, when consistent, earns loyalty. One team member shared: “Keep being generous—it makes us feel valued.”
2. Keep Providing Resources and Support
Your continued investment in tools, training, and mentorship doesn’t go unnoticed. “Keep equipping us with what we need to succeed,” shared one admin leader.
3. Stay Approachable and Involved
Your team values your presence. Comments like “Keep showing up for us” and “Keep asking for our feedback” emphasize the importance of approachability and collaboration.
4. Lead by Example
One respondent wrote: “Keep modeling the professionalism and work ethic you expect from us.” Consistency in your actions inspires your team to follow suit.
5. Keep Being Appreciative & Keep Being Flexible
One DOO said, “Thank you for allowing me to work flex hours from home and just trusting me to get my work done. It changed my work/life balance tremendously.”
Partnering for Success: Our Coaching Program Helps You Build Stronger Ops Systems
The feedback shared by admin leaders highlights a recurring theme: great leadership requires intentionality. If you’re ready to level up your leadership and empower your Director of Operations, consider joining our Partnership Coaching Program.
This unique program focuses on working directly with the Business Owner and their Director of Operations to build tailored systems that enhance efficiency, communication, and trust. Through collaborative coaching, we help you design systems that improve internal processes, streamline communication, and foster an environment where your DOO and operations team thrive.
In the Partnership Coaching Program, we ensure communication is transparent, feedback is actionable, and trust is at the core of your leadership style. Whether you’re looking to scale your operations, improve team morale, or refine your internal processes, our coaching is designed to help you build a more robust and successful business. It all starts with YOU and Your DOO.
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