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You hear it all the time, “The millennial generation is too casual,” or “These millennials don’t respect anything.” The common stereotype seems to be that my generation (I’m 32 years old and a millennial by definition) has no concern for professional appearance or formality.
Is this true? Spoiler alert: no.
I recently considered some of the rockstar agents that I work with every day and how they present themselves around the office, with clients and out in the public eye.
Although I could easily spew my rhetoric about the importance of dress habits, I thought it would be more valuable to hear directly from them. Below, we’ll hear from three millennials (and myself) on why it’s so important to dress professionally.
Matt Bauscher
Bauscher is currently the no. 3 ranked producer in the state of Idaho. He has closed escrow on over $50 million in production volume and over 130 transaction sides in the past 12 months.
Matt Bauscher, right
He is a leader at Amherst Madison and a mentor to other Realtors.
This is astounding considering his relatively short time in the industry; he’s 32 years old and has only been a licensed Realtor since 2013.
Bauscher is known by his peers, clients and fellow agents to be ethical and professional at levels unmatched by the competition.
Among several other factors, Bauscher lists his appearance and the consumer’s perception of him as paramount to achievement.
Casey Wilson
Wilson is a team leader, top producer and former Rookie of the Year at Amherst Madison. He is known as a dynamic and positive force in the local real estate market.
Wilson has rapidly built a team, Wilson Homes, that is on track to close over $17 million in production volume and will be ranked in the top 2 percent of agents across the state.
Wilson comes from a real estate family and understands that reputation and perception can make or break you in this industry. He has a keen sense of duty and obligation to clients who trust him and his team to always behave in their best interest.
Casey Wilson, middle
Kaitlin Tookey-Palmer
Tookey-Palmer is also a member of Wilson Homes at Amherst Madison and is already a dynamic force in our industry at just 21 years of age and with two years of experience as a Realtor.
Tookey-Palmer is intensely philanthropic. First licensed at just 19, she has been a voice for change and advocacy at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Boise Regional Realtors and Women Ignite International.
She is a speaker and voracious video-blogger who has rapidly developed a strong following across age demographics. Tookey-Palmer is a critical team member for both Wilson Homes and Amherst Madison.
Kaitlin Tookey-Palmer
Nick Schlekeway
For me, I believe that details matter. All of them. Not just the details we like to pay attention to or the ones that are the easiest to abide by. Would you wear a bunny suit to the office or show up to meet new clients in stained jogging shorts? Of course not!
So let’s not pretend that it doesn’t matter what we wear or how we present ourselves. Whether we like it or not, we are judged every moment of every day by clients and the public.
Instead of shirking from this, embrace it! We all have the opportunity to set the tone for our clients’ experience and our level of service, right from the beginning.
Like the other millennials we heard from, I want to set myself up for success. I want to hold as many advantages as possible. For this, and the reasons stated above, I would rather break the false perception that I am an “empty suit” or “overdressed” than the perception that I am “sloppy.”
No matter what you do, don’t disregard the impact that a sharp outfit can have on your self-esteem and your motivation. It has been proven again and again that those ladies and gentlemen who take pride in their personal appearance have an extra bounce in their step. Try it out. Start dressing up every morning, and see how it impacts your overall attitude.
Set the bar high, and then jump over it. Set the expectation for the type of services your clients will receive. You won’t be disappointed with the results.
Nick Schlekeway is the founder of Amherst Madison, a Boise, Idaho-based real estate brokerage. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
