Like most of you, I have a relatively small group of real “friends”. Because I am a Massachusetts title attorney trying to grow my practice at every opportunity, I have developed a rather large network of contacts and acquaintances. We all know the risks involved in representing, and working with, true friends. Our objectivity is often skewed, and we make decisions for them which are not always logical or positive. That doesn’t mean we cannot work with friends. It just means we need to establish a more disciplined set of rules when friends are involved.

This post is designed to comment about the real potential we possess in our sphere of contacts and acquaintances. it is meant to encourage each of you to utilize these sources to build your business, and reputations.  By becoming the catalyst for contacts to broaden their own spheres, you can very often improve other people’s business or, even personal, relationships.

What I am driving at is that every one of our contacts or acquaintanenaces would probably be happy to meet someone, or come into contact with someone, who can advance their situation. We, as real estate professionals, are in contact with people from all walks of life each and every day. We not only deal with Buyers and Sellers. We deal with appraisers, contractors and home inspectors as part of what we do. Our goal, with any connection like this, is to help people come into contact with others whose skills or connections may benefit them.

I try to do this work as a catalyst as seamlessly as possible. I probe, connect and then step out of the picture. It is enough for me to be part of the process. I feel no need to be the “star”; I am just helping out. My thinking is that if I “help out” enough, someone, somewhere will start to view me as a positive and want to be involved with me professionally. This has not happened overnight, and, in fact, it never happens in some instances. But to be perfectly honest, I feel good about putting two people I like and respect together. It has been enough for me to do this even though real financial benefit may NEVER come from it.

There is one constant in our profession. Our reputation is all we really have to sell. You can enhance yours by working as a catalyst for the benefit of others. That is one thing I am sure of.