HIGHER GROUND
TAKE THE LEAD ON ETHICS Make ethics the core of
your company management philosophy
MARVIN B. PERLIN, CPM® (MPERLIN@
SIGNATURE
ASSOCIATES.
COM), IS REGIONAL
DIRECTOR
OF ASSET
MANAGEMENT
SOLUTIONS FOR
SIGNATURE
ADVISORY
SERVICES AT
SIGNATURE
ASSOCIATES,
AMO®
WE ARE LIVING IN UNPRECEDENTED
TIMES. AND IT IS DURING THESE
TIMES OF STRESS THAT THE LEADERS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMPANIES MUST CONTINUE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT within their companies to foster continued ethical delivery of
services and relationships that drive customer
loyalty. Today’s leaders must have clear goals
and high expectations that focus on results.
Ethically driven leaders execute their responsibilities from a certain perspective. Their power
comes from trust and not fear. They focus on
relationships and results, and they generate
confidence from others rather than skepticism
and cynicism.
What would be different in your management company if every property manager and
employee could be trusted to do what they
were supposed to do? What would you be able
to save in compliance costs? What could you
achieve through increased productivity? How
would a reputation for being ethical in services
and relationships drive customer loyalty? What
would the impact of ethics mean for your ability
to create a fast, flexible and committed property
management team?
communicating in an open and honest manner
that employees can emulate with their clients,
tenants and suppliers.
Be willing to ask the hard questions. “Are
we doing what we said we would do? Are we
operating in a manner that builds trust in our
services and relationships?”
Recognize and reward. Show appreciation for
those who demonstrate their ethics in difficult
situations. Remember that people often repeat
behavior they have seen in others.
Talk about ethics often. Put it on the agenda of
every management meeting. Repeat the stories
of those who have achieved superior results
while upholding the ethical values that are
central to the company. The more important the
leader makes the value of ethics as a competitive
tool, the more important it will become to the
company.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
The following are recommendations for how
leaders can make ethics the focus of their management philosophy:
Do not hide bad news. Especially today, every
company can count on problems. If employees
are afraid of retribution, there is a strong chance
they will withhold information. Employees will
share bad news if it is dealt with in a positive
manner and without any fear on their part.
TO VIEW THE
IREM ETHICS
PAGE VISIT
WWW.IREM.ORG/
ETHICS.
State expectations loud and clear. Everyone
must understand what is expected of them
and that ethics is everywhere within the
organization. Leaders must set the example of
Make ethics part of your everyday leadership.
Leadership has nothing to do with your position
but has everything to do with your ability
to influence others. Ethics cannot be left to
chance. It must be part of every discussion and
decision if it is to survive and succeed. n
