How is your Leadership?

I have always been interested

 in this topic.

Be a More Gracious Leader

531
inShare

But many of our leadership roles don't have that title, 

LEADER. But you are a leader!

Well one of mine does....Girl Scout Leader

1. Be Confident and Show Empathy

People will follow you if you express that you know what you're doing and where you are going. But not everyone sees it your way or can travel at your pace. See the road from their perspective and help them find the path.

2. Be Punctual and Show Forgiveness

Good leaders manage their time well and are respectful of other people's minutes. But everyone gets overly busy or distracted at some point.  Being a mother is the most challenging leadership role I know and it makes me late to everything else.

Lauren

3. Be Proud and Show Humility

You should take pride in your accomplishments and push for achievement. But people most admire those leaders whose accomplishments speak for themselves and whose greatest accomplishment is the success of their followers.

4. Be Disciplined and Show Humanity

Serious, focused discipline is what gets most jobs done efficiently and effectively. But not everyone can go nonstop like a robot. Let people be people. They need to relax and recharge. Show them you can have fun as well. A little humor goes a long way to connect and show your human side.

5. Be Recognized and Show Recognition

One should openly accept accolades when they are bestowed. False modesty is not becoming. But hogging the limelight won't inspire your followers. Share the spotlight and the journey. Help everyone participate and enjoy the rewards of accomplishment. I really enjoy gifting my sales associates.

6. Be Bold and Show Discretion

Great leaders step out to the front and charge the action forward. Theodore Roosevelt said it best for those who live life "daring greatly". 

7. Be Spontaneous and Show Thoughtfulness

Being ready for anything is a virtue, and a strong leader knows how to shake things up with excitement. But people also gain strength from a certain level of thoroughness and predictability. They value leaders who take the time to consider all options before venturing off into the unknown.

8. Be Directed and Show Consideration

You're successful because you know how to drive your own success. But people need to follow because they believe.  Demonstrate how the choices you've made will have the same positive affect on their performance. Consider that their life experience is different than yours and help them comprehend the appropriate interpretation.

9. Be Firm and Show Compassion

Most great leaders are likeable not because they are lax. They provide structure for success and make sure boundaries are clearly marked. If too many ignore the barriers, all hell can break loose. But people are naturally well intended. Failure must be approached with compassionate correction and learning. Kindly help transgressors find their way to happiness and success either in or out of your organization.  

10. Be Generous and Show Gratitude

Leaders must give of themselves constantly. They give their time, knowledge, energy, motivation, and insights. They know that the more they give, the more success the team will achieve, and often they do so selflessly. But followers give as well. To feel worthwhile the team needs to know the leader appreciates how the team has gone above and beyond. A grateful leader has a loyal following.

11. Be a Listener and Show Appreciation

Thoughtful listening is important, but often leaders may have to rightly dismiss what was expressed. Listening is not always demonstrated through acceptance. Sometimes the answer is still no. But artful leaders are capable of making followers feel appreciated for simply having the opportunity to share their point of view. Then, even the skeptics will buy in to the vision and commit their all.

12. Be a Leader and Show Compliance

Simply put, the most gracious and powerful leaders are the ones who understand when to step back as a follower and let the most appropriate person lead.

Adapted from the article by:  Kevin Daum

It's Happening Here

Austin-area home sales hit six-year high

2012 ends with increased sales volume, stable prices, strong demand

Related

View Larger 

Austin home sales

By Shonda Novak

American-Statesman Staff

Central Texas home sales closed out 2012 at their highest level since 2007, marking the strongest year for the local housing market since the recession, the Austin Board of Realtors said Friday.

A 17 percent bump in December pushed the year-end tally to 22,946 single-family home sales, a 19 percent increase from 2011 and the highest volume since the 25,245 sales recorded in 2007. The median home price for 2012 rose 6 percent to $205,000.

“This is the strongest year for the Austin housing market we’ve seen since the recession,” said Cathy Coneway, chair of the Austin Board of Realtors.

Each month of 2012 brought double-digit increases in home sales and double-digit decreases in active listings, Coneway said.

The local housing market is being buoyed by the region’s job and population growth, low mortgage interest rates, escalating apartment rents and rising home prices, the latter of which are making consumers more confident about making a home purchase, experts say.

Across the country, housing market conditions also are improving, according to Metrostudy, with demand for new homes picking up in most of the 40 metros the firm tracks nationwide.

Last month, the Austin area logged 1,828 sales — the highest level for a December since 2006. December also marked the 19th month in a row of sales increases in Central Texas, and Coneway and other industry experts said the year-end figures point to momentum continuing steadily into 2013.

“The Austin area housing market improved dramatically in 2012,” said D’Ann Petersen, a business economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. “Strong employment growth in December and throughout the year boosted home sales to the highest level we’ve seen in some time. Austin’s economy continues to expand at a healthy pace, even though Texas growth has moderated somewhat in recent months. Strong demand and very low inventories suggest continued increases in home prices in coming months.”

Last month’s median sales price rose 11 percent, to $210,000, the Austin Board of Realtors said. The median price was $188,450 in December 2011.

Home prices have been creeping up amid heightened demand for housing and a shrinking supply of both resale and new homes, experts say. The local market had 2.7 months of inventory in December 2012 — the lowest inventory figure seen in Austin in the past decade, the board said.

In December, there were 5,129 listings, 22 percent fewer than in December 2011. Pending sales were up 24 percent, signaling another strong month for sales when January’s numbers come in.

Local real estate agents say the market kept up steam in the final months of the year, bucking the traditional seasonal lull.

Bradley Pounds, an agent with Watters International, an Austin-based residential real estate brokerage, said the market is putting a squeeze on people trying to buy their first homes.

“First-time buyers are definitely feeling some intense competition from all-cash and high down payment offers,” Pounds said.

In some of the more sought-after neighborhoods —such as Central Austin, Southwest Austin and areas near Brodie Lane between William Cannon and Slaughter Lane — “we’re seeing homes that 12 months ago would have taken 60, 90 or more days to sell go in a few days, and sometimes with multiple offers,” Pounds said.

Cyndy Stewart, a buyers’ agent who heads up the Austin Redfin brokerage, said about 90 percent of the sales contracts she’s been writing are for houses that received multiple offers. In one case, Stewart said she met with a seller in Rosedale to list his property, and 30 minutes later “it was under contract, without ever having made it into MLS.”

“January has just been insane,” Stewart said, noting that the market is seeing an influx of cash buyers from both the east and west coasts.

On average, homes spent 71 days on the market in December compared with 88 days the prior December, the board said.

The decreasing days on market, low inventory, accelerating prices, stronger sales volume and increase in pending sales all point to continued strong housing market conditions in the Austin area this year, experts say.

And the Winner IS.......

The results are in!

I am pleased to announce that 

Eryn Zavaleta earned the 4th Quarter 4's or More Challenge.

Her prize?

These beautiful earrings from Kendra Scott.

Austin-area home sales hit six-year high for December

Area Market Statistics

Austin-area home sales hit six-year high for December; 2012 ends with increased sales volume, stable prices and strong demand Austin Board of REALTORS® releases real estate statistics for December 2012 and 2012 year-end totals AUSTIN, Texas – January 18, 2013 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the volume of Austin-area home sales continues to rise as December became the 19th straight month of sales volume increases—the most home sales in December since 2006—and year-end figures show momentum in Austin real estate coursing steadily into 2013. According to the report, 1,828 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in December 2012, which is 17 percent more than December 2011, and the total dollar volume of single-family properties sold was $513,028,200, or 35 percent higher than the same month last year. Cathy Coneway, 2013 Chairman of the Austin Board of REALTORS®, explained, “This is the strongest year for the Austin housing market we’ve seen since the recession. Each month brought double-digit increases in home sales volume and double-digit decreases in active listings.” In December 2012, the median price for Austin-area homes also increased to $210,000, which is 11 percent more than the same month in 2011. Additionally, the market featured 2.7 months of inventory in December 2012, which is 1.4 months less than December 2011 and the lowest inventory figure seen in Austin in the last decade. The market also featured one percent fewer new listings, 22 percent fewer active listings and 24 percent more pending sales in December 2012 compared to the prior year. On average, homes spent 71 days on the market, which is a decrease of 18 days from one year prior. Chairman Coneway continued, “With accelerating prices, stronger sales volume and more pending sales this month compared to December 2011, we’re encouraged that this steady momentum will continue into January 2013.” The report also included figures for all of 2012, during which 22,946 Austin-area single-family homes were sold, which is 19 percent more than 2011. Over the course of the year, the median price of homes in the Austin area increased six percent to $205,000 and homes spent an average of 69 days on the market, 15 days fewer than 2011. At the same time, the 2012 Austin real estate market featured three percent more new listings, 20 percent fewer active listings and 19 percent more pending sales than 2011. Chairman Coneway concluded, “We are pleased to see another year end on a positive note for Austin’s real estate market. We’re confident that with the surge in sales volume over the second half of 2012 and the strong demand evident in December, the 2013 housing market will be as healthy as last year’s.” December 2012 Statistics 1,828 – Single-family homes sold, 17 percent more than December 2011. $210,000 – Median price for single-family homes, 11 percent more than December 2011. 71 – Average number of days single-family homes spent on the market, 18 days fewer than December 2011. 1,367 – New single-family home listings on the market, one percent fewer than December 2011. 5,129 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 22 percent fewer than December 2011. 1,519 – Pending sales for single-family homes, 24 percent more than December 2011. 2.7 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, 1.4 months less than December 2011. $513,028,200 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, 35 percent more than December 2011. 2012 Year-End Totals 22,946 – Single-family homes sold, 19 percent more than 2011. $205,000 – Median price for single-family homes, six percent more than 2011. 69 – Average number of days that single-family homes spent on the market, 15 days fewer than 2011. 31,441 – New single-family home listings on the market, three percent more than 2011. 6,853 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 20 percent fewer than 2011. 24,941 – Pending sales for single-family homes, 19 percent more than 2011. $6,204,024,237 – Total dollar volume of single-family properties sold, 26 percent more than 2011. The following sections describe trends in other sectors of the Austin real estate market. Townhouses & Condominiums The volume of townhouses and condominiums (condos) purchased in the Austin area in December 2012 was 181, which is 13 percent more than December 2011. In the same time period, the median price for condos was $209,000, which is 17 percent more than the same month of the prior year. When compared to December 2011, these properties spent 23 percent less time on the market, or an average of 70 days. Over the course of 2012, 2,520 Austin condos were sold, which is 28 percent more than 2011; the median price was $181,000, or eight percent more than 2011; and condos spent an average of 74 days on the market, 20 days fewer than 2011. Leasing In December 2012, a total of 975 properties were leased in Austin, which is five percent fewer than December 2011. The median price for Austin-area leases was $1,300, which is four percent more than the same month of the prior year. In all of 2012, a total of 15,842 properties were leased in Austin, which is one percent fewer than 2011, and the median lease price was $1,320, or six percent more than 2011. The Austin Board of REALTORS®(ABoR) is a non-profit, voluntary organization representing nearly 9,000 licensed REALTORS® in Central Texas. As the primary source for accurate and comprehensive property listing information for REALTORS® in greater Austin, ABoR works to advance the REALTOR® mission and protect homeowner rights. For more information, please contact the ABoR Marketing Department atmarketing@abor.com or 512-454-7636. Visit AustinHomeSearch.com, a public resource on Austin real estate, for the latest news on the local housing market. * The inventory of homes for a market can be measured in months, which is defined as the number of active listings divided by the average sales per month of the prior 12 months. The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University cites that 6.5 months of inventory represents a market in which supply and demand for homes is balanced.