If you had to guess, which one of us is the good cop and which one of us is the bad cop?
Come on, play along! Tell me your thoughts and why. We've been together long enough to know exactly how to push each other's buttons, and we've worked together long enough to know when it is probably best to keep our mouths shut. We are considerably better at the first one. 😏
The funny thing about being partners in life AND business is how much you learn about each other when there is nowhere to hide. You get to see how the other person handles pressure, difficult conversations, unexpected problems, and the occasional situation where somebody needs to be told something they REALLY don't want to hear. Sometimes we are perfectly in sync. Other times, I am fairly certain Brad is wondering how he ended up in business with someone who is so full of opinions. For the record, I am usually right. 😉
We approach things differently, which is probably a good thing considering how much time we spend together. One of us might be ready to tackle an issue head-on while the other is still figuring out the ideal approach. Sometimes one of us needs to be talked off the proverbial ledge, and sometimes the other needs a little more encouragement to get ON the ledge and say what needs to be said. It is a delicate balance, and I am not suggesting we've perfected it...yet.
I do know, however, those differences come in pretty handy in real estate. There are times when our clients need patience and reassurance, and there are times when they need someone willing to have an uncomfortable conversation or fight for their best interests. We don't always have the same instincts, but we are always working toward the same outcome. I also appreciate having someone who will tell me when I am being unreasonable, even if I don't particularly enjoy hearing it at the time.
Of course, the whole good cop/bad cop thing assumes one of us is consistently the calm, reasonable one. Anyone who knows us well is probably laughing at that idea right now. Depending on the situation, we can switch roles pretty quickly, and I'm not entirely convinced we haven't occasionally both been the bad cop...or the good cop...at the same time.
Ultimately, I think the best partnerships have a little of both. You need someone who knows when to push, someone who knows when to listen, and two people who trust each other enough to disagree without making it personal. We may drive each other a little crazy from time to time, but there is nobody I'd rather have in my corner...hands down!
Soooo back to my original question. Looking at this picture, who is the good cop and who is the bad cop?
Choose wisely. Afterall, we are REALTORS and that means we probably know where you live. 😏
