On Monday, many of us will enjoy an added day off. For some, it is simply a long weekend. For others, it is a chance to reflect on the leaders who have shaped our country’s history. Presidents’ Day was originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, and over time it has become a broader recognition of presidential leadership and service.
But today, I would like to shift the focus.
Leadership is not reserved for the Oval Office. It is not defined by a title. It is not something that only a select few possess. Leadership is exercised every single day, often in ways that go unnoticed.
If you are in this business, you are a leader.
Every time a client hires you, they are not simply hiring someone to fill out paperwork or unlock doors. They are hiring guidance. They are hiring judgment. They are hiring clarity in moments that feel uncertain in the middle of a multiple offer situation. You lead them through the emotion of selling a home filled with memories and the anxiety of making one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.
They are looking to you for direction, and that is leadership.
Leadership in our world means having the courage to tell a seller the truth about pricing, even when it is not what they want to hear. It means advising a buyer to walk away from a deal that does not serve their best interests. It means staying calm when everyone else feels pressure. It means seeing around corners because your experience allows you to anticipate what might come next.
It also means something deeper.
Leadership is presence. It is professionalism. It is preparation. It is the confidence that comes from knowing you have done the work. Forty years ago, when I was just getting started, a seasoned veteran told me something that stuck with me. He said, “Never lose your enthusiasm. And always treat this business with the utmost professionalism.” Clients can feel both. They know when you are prepared. They know when you care. They know when you are leading instead of reacting.
Great presidents did not lead without adversity. They faced uncertainty, criticism, economic challenges, and moments that demanded difficult decisions. The same is true in our business. Markets shift. Rates move. Inventory tightens. Headlines create noise. In those moments, your clients are not looking for panic. They are looking for poise. They are looking for perspective.
They are looking for you.
At Intero, we often talk about culture as our differentiator. Culture does not exist in a vacuum. It is created and sustained by leadership at every level. Branch managers lead offices. Staff lead through service and consistency. Top producers lead by example. New agents lead with energy and hunger. Even the quiet professional who simply shows up on time and does their job with integrity is demonstrating leadership.
You do not need a title to lead. You need standards.
This Presidents’ Day weekend, as you enjoy the extra day, I would challenge you to reflect on this question: How am I showing up as a leader?
Are you proactive or reactive?
Are you raising the energy in the room or absorbing the negativity?
Are you sharpening your skills so that your clients feel safe in your hands?
Are you modeling the professionalism that makes others proud to be associated with you?
Leadership in real estate is not about ego. It is about responsibility. People trust us with their money, their homes, and often their dreams. That is not a small thing.
So, while we may take Monday to rest, recharge, and spend time with those we care about, let’s also use it as a reminder. Leadership is not something we celebrate once a year. It is something we practice every day.
When you walk into your next listing appointment or buyer consultation, remember this: you are not just an agent. You are the steady hand. You are the advisor. You are the leader.
Lead well friends, and enjoy the holiday.
TERRY Talks 