If you’ve been in real estate for a while, you’ve probably figured out that this industry doesn’t hand out a lot of safety nets. And it sure can be lonely!
That’s why your branch or sales manager matters more than you might think. We’re not just there to keep you out of legal trouble, we’re the person you turn to when you’re confronted with a transaction that’s wobbling, a client who’s panicking, or a market that’s shifting under your feet.
And here’s the truth: you should expect a lot from them.
I’m in the Room, Not Just on the Roster
I’ve been a broker long enough to know how easy it is for leadership to disappear behind a closed office door. That’s not how I work.
I’m in our Monday Skills class, Tuesday Contracts Class, and Wednesday Momentum more weeks than not. If I’m not leading it, I’m participating alongside you. I’m in the room, not just when there’s a fire to put out, but when you’re learning, practicing, and building the skills that prevent those fires in the first place.
If you’re going to call me when things get messy, you should also see me when things are calm.
Challenge Is Part of the Job
If you come to me for advice, I’m not here to rubber-stamp what you already want to do. I’m here to make sure you understand every angle, every risk, and maybe more importantly, to help you recognize every opportunity in front of you.
That means I’m going to ask questions. I’m going to push you to slow down when needed and speed up when it matters. And I’m going to explain the “why” behind my guidance so you can stand in front of your clients with your own clarity, not just mine.
Culture Isn’t a Poster on the Wall
Every brokerage, and even every branch within a larger brokerage, says they have a great culture. For me, culture is what happens when your systems match your values.
That’s why we run our week the way we do:
- Monday: You start with yourself. Goals. Skills. Clarity.
- Tuesday: Market awareness and contracts mastery.
- Wednesday: Momentum. Mindset, Implementation.
- Thursday: Tours. Showing up for each other in the field.
When your manager participates in the same rhythm you do, they’re not setting culture from a distance. They’re living it with you.
Advocacy Is Non-Negotiable
This business will test you. Deals will fall apart. Clients will ghost, or worse. Mistakes will happen. Offers will get rejected. Conflicts with other brokers, inside and outside your office, will arise.
In those moments, you need a manager and mentor who will advocate for you, with clients, with other brokers, and sometimes even with yourself. Someone who won’t just tell you to “get back out there” but will help you figure out the best next step, protect your reputation, and remind you why you’re here.
For Experienced Brokers: You Still Need This
I know what you might be thinking; you’ve been around the block, you know your contracts, you have your own way of doing things. But even the most seasoned brokers need a sounding board. Markets change. Legal language shifts. Shoot, the law itself changes. Strategies that worked five years ago don’t always land today. The brokers who succeed most, and who have the most balanced lives, are the ones willing to keep learning, and who have someone in their corner to encourage them to do it.
If You’re Thinking About Making a Move
Ask yourself:
- Will I see my manager every week?
- Will they challenge me as much as they support me?
- Will they share the systems they actually use themselves?
- Will they be there when my business or life is hard, not just when they are easy?
- Will they have the bandwidth and personal investment to be present with me?
If you can’t answer yes to every single one of these, you deserve better.
The Bottom Line
I believe in being a present, engaged, and available manager because this business is too important to do alone. The right leadership can change your trajectory, and I take that seriously.
If you’re ready for a manager that knows your name, your goals, and your potential, come sit in on a class. Or send me a message, and let’s talk about what’s possible.
By Domenica Lovaglia
Co‑Founder & Director of All Things Beautiful, Metropolist Real Estate
Since 2002, Domenica has been creating transformational real estate experiences for professionals and families across Seattle. In 2014, she co-founded Metropolist to fill a gap in the industry for a more collaborative, community-driven brokerage. Today, Metropolist consistently ranks among Washington’s top 20 brokerages and is the only majority women-owned firm at that level, known for its commitment to learning, leadership, and giving back. Known as the “Director of All Things Beautiful,” Domenica blends her love of design and community to build a culture where creativity and collaboration thrive.
