As a resident manager, I am fully aware of my “primary” responsibilities. I’m also aware that checking items off of a to-do list does not necessarily mean that I’ve fulfilled those responsibilities. As we work towards completing our to-do list, sometimes we have to ask ourselves, “How can I improve my process to ensure the best possible results, in the most efficient way?”
For example, one of the primary responsibilities of onsite management is to collect rent – that’s important! We make time for it, no matter what, treating the task just as if we were collecting our own money. We don’t just take the resident’s rent payment and stick it in a drawer to deal with later. We handle the money with care, ensuring timely collection, and accurate processing. We do this knowing that if we make an error, our property and our residents will suffer.
Another “primary” responsibility that can easily be forgotten is accountability. We are accountable to a higher authority, and it is our responsibility to follow our supervisor’s lead, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. We adhere to the chain of command, knowing that it is there for a reason and will help us achieve the best possible results with the fewest room for error. I’ve found that the best way to achieve my goals (and the goals of the property) is to respect the authority of others and to learn from my mistakes.
I’ve found that to gain and keep the respect of new and existing residents; I must equally give them respect.
When I do something wrong, I am willing to admit that I was wrong. I’ll say, “Oops, I did do that – I messed up. Can you please show me how not to do that again?” Essentially, I am being honest with myself to the areas where I need improvement and work towards making those improvements. I let the experience mold me into something better because it is my responsibility to learn from my mistakes and to improve my skills for the betterment of the property.