Comments on: Arrogance Is Always Ugly — But Combined With Ignorance? Felony Stupid

by: Cher

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:40:49 +0000

BawldGuy, thanks. The more mistakes we make, the more we have to teach, right?

by: BawldGuy

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:36:04 +0000

Readers - If we all had Cher’s attitude about life and living, we’d all live a lot longer.

by: Cher

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:30:44 +0000

This is a painful time for many. If there is any good to come of it, maybe it will spawn some humility.
My parents went through the depression. I have always aspired to have their humility, but I’m afraid I can’t match it. Maybe it is because all of us born after WWII have had it so much easier….especially the echo boomers who have not seen as much of the dark side of life that the G.I. generation saw.
I agree with you on the outsourcing. The guy who is writing the book, “3 Day work week” (?) is writing allot about his wonderful experience with outsourcing. Besides the cost savings, he says his people are always quick to act and gracious and polite.
Some of the companies do a good job. I talked to a service rep yesterday from Barnes and Noble about an order for an out- of- print book. She was one of the finest people I ever dealth with…a southern acccent so I don’t think she is outsourced. I found myself wondering…was she just trained correctly or is she just a wonderful person? Young by the way.
Attitude is everything. My Dad taught me that.

by: BawldGuy

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:38:33 +0000

David - Of course you’re right. What’s been a lifelong mystery to me is why pros can’t be as well behaved (nice) as they are experienced and knowledgeable.

How hard is it to at least not create an enemy?

Thanks for you kind words, and please come back.

by: BawldGuy

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:32:09 +0000

Patrick - Your point is very well taken. I was you many moons ago, so can empathize with your take on this.

That said, 30 years ago there were far fewer folks under 30, much less under 25, manning positions for which dealing with the public was critical. I think any experienced lender would easily have rooted out the older ‘flakes’ by their performance alone.

The problem with younger workers is sometimes they associate the power of the lender to make decisions with themselves. This is where the arrogance of youth often makes itself known.

Patrick, I lived your life as a second generation broker/agent. In ‘real estate’ years you’re more than likely the equivalent of a 10 year veteran.

Thanks for making such a great point - and please come back.

by: Patrick Hake

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:40:21 +0000

I agree that there a lot of inexperienced people in real estate that are in over there heads. And while I do think a high percentage of these inexperienced people are young, I think there are also plenty who are older. While I am only 29 and have been in the business for only 5 years, I am certain that I have a better understanding of my trade than 90% of the agents older than me. This is partly due to growing up in a real estate family, but it is also due to diligent research and a desire to learn. I have been accused of being arrogant before, but only by people whose opinions I don’t value. I am well aware that there is no short cut to experience, but I am also aware that just because someone is older, it does not mean they know what they are talking about.

Bottom line is that good people are good people. What young people lack in experience, they make up for with ambition and openness to change. The person Brian referred to is a flake. She will be a flake when she is 50. Her age has nothing to do with it.

by: David Stejkowski

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:55:09 +0000

Great post. In my line of work I have always said this:

You can be a nice person and not a great lawyer and be very successful, because people will like and trust you enough to do your work or to find the right people to do it.

You can be a great lawyer but not a nice person and do well in the world because people will rely on your expertise and ability and overlook your personality.

If you are both a bad lawyer and a bad person, you are — or at least should be — out of luck and out of work.