Why Your Business Is Not a Family—It's Something More Powerful

The word "family" is thrown around a lot in the real estate industry. It’s a term used to evoke a sense of closeness, loyalty, and unconditional support. While the sentiment is well-intentioned, it’s fundamentally misleading. Your business isn’t a family, and it shouldn’t be. It is something far more intentional and, in my view, more powerful: a community. A tribe.

Let's be clear: you can’t choose your family. You’re born into it, bound by blood and heritage. The relationships within a family are meant to be unconditional, often tolerating behaviours and standards you would never accept in a professional setting.

A business, however, is a high-performance environment built on choice. You actively choose who you do business with. You choose your colleagues, your leaders, and the network you align with based on a shared vision, ambition, and—most importantly—values.

This distinction is not just semantics. It is the core principle that separates good businesses from great ones.

The Problem with the "Family" Analogy

When leaders describe their company as a family, they often do so to foster a sense of belonging. But this analogy can create a toxic culture. It implies an obligation to stay, regardless of performance or personal growth.

It can lead to a lack of accountability, where underperformance is excused in the name of loyalty.

In a family, you might feel obligated to help a relative who consistently makes poor decisions. In a high-performing business, you cannot afford to carry team members who do not uphold the required standards. To do so would be a disservice to everyone else who is committed to excellence.

The success of the collective depends on the contribution of every individual.

The Power of a Professional Tribe

A tribe is a group of individuals united by a common purpose and shared values. This is not just a feel-good concept; it's a strategic advantage. A recent study by Gallup indicates that employees who feel their values align with their organisation's are 75% more engaged. This engagement is the bedrock of a thriving business.

Think of it this way:

• Shared Values as a Foundation: At Harcourts, our values—People First, Doing the Right Thing, Being Courageous, and Fun and Laughter—are not just words on a poster. They are the criteria by which we select our people. When you join our network, it's because your professional and personal ethics resonate with ours. This alignment creates a powerful sense of unity built on mutual respect, not obligation.

• Voluntary Association and Mutual Choice: Every single agent, business owner, property manager, and administrator who joins Harcourts makes a conscious decision to be part of our community. Likewise, we choose them. This mutual selection process ensures that everyone is here for the right reasons. They are committed to our vision and driven to contribute to our collective success. This is a dynamic of choice, not chance.

• Ambition and High Performance: Tribes are geared towards a common goal. In our industry, that goal is to deliver exceptional service and achieve outstanding results. In a community of high-performers, everyone is expected to pull their weight. There is a healthy pressure to excel because you are surrounded by people who are just as ambitious and dedicated as you are. This environment fosters growth and innovation. Research from Harvard Business Review confirms this, showing that companies with strong cultures can see up to a fourfold increase in revenue growth.

• Accountability and Support: In a strong community, support is not unconditional—it is earned through commitment and effort. We support our people with world-class training, technology, and mentorship to help them succeed. It's no surprise that data from the National Association of Realtors suggests agent retention is significantly higher in brokerages with robust support programs. In return, we expect our people to be accountable for their performance. This symbiotic relationship ensures that both the individual and the organisation thrive. We celebrate successes together and we address shortcomings constructively, always with the goal of lifting the entire tribe higher.

  
  

As one of our top agents recently shared, "Knowing that my colleagues are not just cheering for my success but are actively contributing to it creates a level of trust and collaboration I haven't experienced anywhere else."

Choosing Your Tribe Is the Most Important Business Decision You’ll Make

I am immensely proud every time a new professional chooses to join Harcourts. It is an affirmation that our values and our vision for the future of real estate resonate with the best in the industry. They are not joining a family where their place is guaranteed; they are earning their spot in a tribe of elite professionals who are committed to being the very best.

So, I urge you to reconsider the language you use to describe your business. Are you fostering a culture of obligation, or one of conscious commitment? Are you building a family, or are you cultivating a powerful, high-performing tribe?

The latter requires more intention, more discipline, and a clearer sense of purpose. But the rewards—a resilient, motivated, and successful community—are infinitely greater. You can’t choose your family, but you can, and absolutely should, choose your tribe. Choose wisely.