One of the fundamental components of strong leadership is a deep-seeded understanding that leaders lead people, not tasks or projects. And while financial performance is, of course, an important part of your property management company’s longevity, it’s the employees that actually drive success. It makes perfect sense, then, that people should be the primary focus of your leadership approach. When leaders help others, everybody wins.

How could this type of leadership model benefit your company? Let’s take a look.

People-Centric Leadership Breeds Authenticity

Think about it. When a person in a high-level position makes all the decisions, there is an air of secrecy and exclusion. On the other hand, when others (employees, customers, investors, etc.) have a voice and are contributing toward a shared goal with a deeper purpose, it creates a more authentic environment.

Gaining true buy-in at all levels of the organization fosters a more engaged workforce, which reduces turnover and increases customer satisfaction. Happy employees + happy clients = strong business performance and more potential for growth.

People-Centric Leadership Creates a Purpose

When you take a break from crunching numbers and focus instead on the people who are driving your property management business forward, you’ll begin to develop a clearer picture of your overall business purpose. To really flesh out this concept, ask yourself the following questions:

• Why am I in this role?
• What are my visions for this company?
• What are our core values?
• At the end of the day, what do I want to be remembered for?

By gaining a better understanding of both your purpose and that of the company as a whole, you will be better able to shape and hone the culture of your workplace.

People-Centric Leadership Empowers

By focusing your efforts on leading people rather than just driving the business side of your property management company, you will subsequently foster an environment of trust and empowerment amongst your employees. This all starts with leading by example. Keep the following in mind:

• Remain cognizant of demeanor and actions. If necessary, make a conscious effort to slow down, reconnect and reflect at least once a day.
• Arm employees with the training, tools and experience they need to master any task they face. Helping your staff develop competency promotes confidence and moves everyone forward.
• Show a genuine interest in your employees. By demonstrating your desire and willingness to invest in them, they’ll return the favor by investing back into the company’s vision.

People-Centric Leadership Nurtures Loyalty

Leaders who are focused on people continuously put themselves in the shoes of others – including customers. This helps to gain a deeper understanding of how to deliver the best value beyond the basics of property management services.

The more intimately you get to know the needs, pain points and desires of your clientele, the better you will be able to position your company as the ideal solution. And when customers realize you “get them” and feel that you truly care about serving their needs (and not just about collecting their money), they will respond with repeat business and valuable word-of-mouth referrals.  

As a leader, you play a significant role in shaping the future of your property management company. When you make people a priority, growth and success will naturally follow.