There are many invisible services Realtors provide to their clients. We're marriage councilors, child therapists, travel agents, chauffeurs and many many more. I like all of these roles which is convenient since I'm paid well to perform them. The one task we're not given enough credit for in my view is "conflict resolution".
Actually, "conflict absorption" is probably a better term. We do resolve conflicts of course but the more difficult part of that is having to "take it on the chin" when a Vendor, fellow Realtor, contractor, neighbour etc. gets really pissed off at something. I feel pretty ok with this particularly when I'm taking it on the chin for a client. Seldom do they know that this is happening but I feel good about it nonetheless.
I mention this because I had a client talk to me the other day about how he will do pretty much anything to avoid conflict. It upsets him that much. It's not simply the primal urge most of us have to be liked by one and all. It goes beyond that. If he parks in a public parking lot and the attendant yells at him move a couple of stalls over, he gets stressed. A knot forms in his stomach. If someone cuts in front of him while he's lining up to renew his license plates, he apologizes for being there first. You get the idea.
So, when choosing a Realtor or when hiring for a position in your company, how important is it that the person not be paralyzed by conflict? I would think very important.
I recall how I've changed in this regard over the years. In my first couple of years in the business, my stomach was in a perpetual stage of angst. The first house I sold had termites and the Buyer was upset, therefore I was upset. That wouldn't happen now. If the initial offer on one of my listings was ridiculously low, my Vendor would get upset, therefore I in turn would also be upset. Not a good way to go through life as a Realtor. Thankfully, that doesn't happen any more.
The end result from all of this is I'm much happier in my role as a Realtor and I'm wayyyyyyyyyy more effective.
The moral of this story is, if you want to become a better person, become a Realtor.