The Power of a Smile and a Few Kind Words

By Nathaniel Muhammad

I had the opportunity of attending a seminar about properties and real estate recently. The first portion of the seminar had concluded so I wanted to leave and go home. Instead, I returned to the conference area and attended another presentation. Moments before the presentation was to begin, a woman entered the area. We made eye contact and shared a brief but warm smile. She sat one row behind me. As she moved towards her seat, we exchanged a few kind words and another smile.

The presentation is over. The last two people to remain in the conference area were the lady whom smiles were shared with at the beginning of the presentation and myself. We were last, not because we were slow at getting up from our seats, or that we had nothing else better to do. Instead, were engaged in wonderful conversation, which all began with a smile and a few kind words.

Upon having small talk, we discovered that we had many things in common, the greatest one being that we both are interested in properties, real estate. She has always wanted to get into real estate, and only recently was she able to do. I have always wanted to be involved in real estate in Malaysia, but I held myself back due to fear of the unknown. Fear of not having enough knowledge about real estate.

As an architect, I know about buildings and how to design them, however, I have no experience on how to sell real estate. It was the fear factor that prevented me from diving into this exciting field of interest.

Almost two hours later, my new friend and I were still engrossed in conversation. We moved from the conference area, which was like an icebox, due to the air conditioning, to a much warmer venue, outside having a cup of tea. The more we talked the more we found that we had in common.

Since we are both risk takers, I took the risk of asking her personal questions as to how she got involved with real estate. She willingly informed of so much valuable information that I knew nothing about. It was an opportunity for me to see that I had a lot to learn about real estate. So did she. However, because we were able to connect, she offered to teach me whatever she knew about the business. She was willing to be my mentor! Can you imagine, here we are two strangers who began working towards a relationship to become friends with only two small but meaning things; a smile and a few kind words.

To seal the deal, as it were, we shook hands. She would be my mentor in real estate. Not only that, she has offered me a partnership on a real estate deal that she is currently working on. That was just icing on the cake. The fear I previously had prevented me from getting into real estate has been eradicated simply because someone whom I’ve met, has helped me to realize that one must attack fear with action, doing just the opposite of what fear wants one to do, nothing.

So today, go out smile and share a few kind words, and surely you will see the benefits in so many ways. Try it, you’d be surprise.