Who makes a better agent – a woman or a man?

The work of an estate agent requires many different aptitudes. As we know, women and men differ significantly from each other. There is no single pattern describing both sexes, but taking various factors into account, some conclusions can be drawn.

There are slight differences in brain structure between women and men. What does this mean? Men usually have better spatial abilities. They are sometimes better at reading maps than women. This is not a rule, however, and sometimes it is quite the opposite. In real estate brokerage this matters in terms of the time needed to find the correct address of a property. In addition, men are decidedly better at mathematics, so they have no problems with the calculations and analyses needed in an agent's day-to-day work. Men mainly remember situations linked into a logical whole, without paying attention to details. This can be a considerable handicap in an agent's work. They are more aggressive, which is not desirable, especially during negotiations. On the other hand, controlled aggression can help them achieve their goals and boost their motivation to act.

Women have greater verbal skills, which are very important in communication with clients and colleagues. They are also more observant and able to react quickly to various stimuli. Thanks to this, they quickly win new property listings for their portfolio, and cooperation with clients is more fruitful. They also have the ability to remember a larger amount of unimportant, random information, which they can use in another situation. It is precisely this ability to connect facts that serves women so well as agents. In dealings with clients, the ability to read body language and intuition are important – and women excel at both. They allow the agent to adapt to the client's situation and meet their housing needs, especially when the client has difficulty expressing their thoughts or is in a difficult life situation.

Boys and girls are brought up differently, which is not without significance for later professional life. In girls, altruism is valued; in boys, independence. Both of these traits are of great importance in the work of an estate agent. As for an agent's appearance, good grooming and an impeccable look and attire matter too. Both women and men take care of their appearance, understanding that this matters in business contacts.

Unfortunately, in Poland women still have a lower professional position and earn less than men. However, the trend favours women and these differences should soon even out. As a result, women sometimes have difficulties in relations with their team, and sometimes even with clients. They are not given the attention they deserve. Sometimes women themselves are to blame, owing to a lack of motivation for professional development.

An important issue in the relations between agents and clients is communication style. Men focus on facts and figures, while women are more empathetic and care about the atmosphere. Depending on the situation, each of these tendencies can influence the final agreement. These traits are particularly important when presenting a property. Because women care a great deal about relationships and are people-oriented, they inspire greater trust in clients. Men, who are task-oriented, reach their intended goals faster and more easily and bring transactions to a close.

There is no single answer to who does better as an estate agent. Depending on the situation, women are better suited in some respects, and men do better in others. One thing is certain. A lot depends on individual motivation, goal orientation and the desire for self-development.