As a Property Developer, having a great team of professionals to support your journey is crucial. I've already covered who needs to be in your team in the article "The Importance of Building a Great Team"
That does lead to another question though - how to decide which professional to work with. I regularly get asked whether experience or rapport is more important when choosing professionals, so let's dive deeper into the most important characteristics you need in your team members.
Let me start by being clear about one thing: choosing the right property development professionals is essential to the success of any real estate project, whether residential or commercial.
Whether you’re developing a small residential complex or a large commercial building, the professionals you choose have a huge influence on the success, budget, and timeline of your development.
So should you prioritize proven industry expertise, or does personal connection and mutual understanding matter more? Let's explore what experience and rapport bring to the table, how they contribute to property development success, and determine which one comes out on top.
Experience
Experienced professionals have likely faced a range of challenges, from regulatory delays to budget constraints, and they know how to navigate these complexities. This experience translates into a smoother process and generally better outcomes, as seasoned professionals can foresee issues and apply solutions that have worked in the past.
Those years of experience translate into a tangible track record, which can give you peace of mind. For instance, a project manager with years of experience will likely have a history of delivering projects within budget and on time, which can be reassuring.
Professionals with experience often have niche knowledge in their areas, giving your project a competitive edge. An architect with 15 years of experience designing eco-friendly buildings, for example, will be far better equipped to advise on sustainable choices than someone just starting in the field.
This is particularly true for your town planner. It's important that they are familiar with local regulations, zoning laws, and environmental standards in order to obtain the necessary permits and ensure your project adheres to all legal requirements. They'll also have formed connections with the local council during previous projects which can prove invaluable.
Following on from this, experience involves the existence of industry relationships that can benefit your project. A project manager who has been in the field for years might have a network of trusted contractors and suppliers, giving them access to resources and services that less experienced professionals may struggle to secure.
These connections can also be beneficial when negotiating for better prices, expediting timelines, or even gaining insight into market trends that could impact your project. These relationships can save time and money, making it more efficient to complete a project on schedule and within budget.
At this point, I'm guessing you're totally sold on the idea that experience is the most important thing when choosing your team, right? Not so fast...
Rapport
Rapport refers to the personal and professional chemistry between you and your team. A professional might be incredibly skilled and accomplished, but if they lack interpersonal skills or are difficult to work with, this can impact the project negatively.
A professional with whom you have strong rapport is likely to communicate openly, discuss potential issues honestly, and listen to your concerns. Without this trust, misunderstandings can occur, or problems might go unaddressed until they become major setbacks. Effective communication is crucial to ensure everyone is aligned and informed throughout each stage of the project.
Rapport also fosters trust, and trust can be just as important as technical expertise in ensuring the success of a project. When there’s a good level of rapport, you’re more likely to feel confident that your professionals have your best interests in mind and will be transparent about all aspects of the project.
It's also important to remember that development projects are a joint effort requiring frequent back-and-forth discussions and collaboration on key decisions. This often includes multiple members of your team working together, so professionals who are approachable and communicative make it easier to brainstorm ideas, share feedback, and find compromises.
This collaborative environment is particularly useful when creative problem-solving is needed, such as finding a solution to unexpected zoning issues or modifying design plans to fit a budget constraint.
Chances are if you choose professionals you have a good rapport with, then they're likely to have good rapport with each other, too, making it easier to develop a supportive and cohesive team all working towards the success of your project.
Are you on Team Rapport now? Not so fast...
Experience vs Rapport
Drum roll please... the answer to the question of whether experience or rapport is more important when choosing professionals is...
Both. Or perhaps I should say "it depends".
Okay, I know you don't like that answer, but reality is the importance of experience and rapport will vary depending on the specific needs and context of your project. In other words, both factors matter, but their relative importance may change.
In smaller projects, rapport may play a more substantial role. There's often a need to work closely together, and a strong personal connection can drive motivation, creativity, and alignment. Professionals who are receptive and approachable will more readily adapt to changes, listen to your vision, and adjust plans to meet your expectations.
For high-complexity projects that require specialized expertise, experience often takes precedence. In such cases, you need professionals who have “been there, done that” and can handle the technical demands and regulatory nuances of the project. In such projects, a seasoned professional’s track record is likely to be more critical than interpersonal compatibility.
In the end, experience and rapport don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Ideally, you should look for professionals who bring both a strong professional background and a positive, engaging attitude.
With the right mix, you gain a team that not only knows the industry inside and out but also aligns well with your working style and vision, setting the stage for a successful, fulfilling project.
That does lead to another question though - how to decide which professional to work with. I regularly get asked whether experience or rapport is more important when choosing professionals, so let's dive deeper into the most important characteristics you need in your team members.
Let me start by being clear about one thing: choosing the right property development professionals is essential to the success of any real estate project, whether residential or commercial.
Whether you’re developing a small residential complex or a large commercial building, the professionals you choose have a huge influence on the success, budget, and timeline of your development.
So should you prioritize proven industry expertise, or does personal connection and mutual understanding matter more? Let's explore what experience and rapport bring to the table, how they contribute to property development success, and determine which one comes out on top.
ExperienceExperienced professionals have likely faced a range of challenges, from regulatory delays to budget constraints, and they know how to navigate these complexities. This experience translates into a smoother process and generally better outcomes, as seasoned professionals can foresee issues and apply solutions that have worked in the past.
Those years of experience translate into a tangible track record, which can give you peace of mind. For instance, a project manager with years of experience will likely have a history of delivering projects within budget and on time, which can be reassuring.
Professionals with experience often have niche knowledge in their areas, giving your project a competitive edge. An architect with 15 years of experience designing eco-friendly buildings, for example, will be far better equipped to advise on sustainable choices than someone just starting in the field.
This is particularly true for your town planner. It's important that they are familiar with local regulations, zoning laws, and environmental standards in order to obtain the necessary permits and ensure your project adheres to all legal requirements. They'll also have formed connections with the local council during previous projects which can prove invaluable.
Following on from this, experience involves the existence of industry relationships that can benefit your project. A project manager who has been in the field for years might have a network of trusted contractors and suppliers, giving them access to resources and services that less experienced professionals may struggle to secure.
These connections can also be beneficial when negotiating for better prices, expediting timelines, or even gaining insight into market trends that could impact your project. These relationships can save time and money, making it more efficient to complete a project on schedule and within budget.
At this point, I'm guessing you're totally sold on the idea that experience is the most important thing when choosing your team, right? Not so fast...
Rapport
Rapport refers to the personal and professional chemistry between you and your team. A professional might be incredibly skilled and accomplished, but if they lack interpersonal skills or are difficult to work with, this can impact the project negatively.
A professional with whom you have strong rapport is likely to communicate openly, discuss potential issues honestly, and listen to your concerns. Without this trust, misunderstandings can occur, or problems might go unaddressed until they become major setbacks. Effective communication is crucial to ensure everyone is aligned and informed throughout each stage of the project.Rapport also fosters trust, and trust can be just as important as technical expertise in ensuring the success of a project. When there’s a good level of rapport, you’re more likely to feel confident that your professionals have your best interests in mind and will be transparent about all aspects of the project.
It's also important to remember that development projects are a joint effort requiring frequent back-and-forth discussions and collaboration on key decisions. This often includes multiple members of your team working together, so professionals who are approachable and communicative make it easier to brainstorm ideas, share feedback, and find compromises.
This collaborative environment is particularly useful when creative problem-solving is needed, such as finding a solution to unexpected zoning issues or modifying design plans to fit a budget constraint.
Chances are if you choose professionals you have a good rapport with, then they're likely to have good rapport with each other, too, making it easier to develop a supportive and cohesive team all working towards the success of your project.
Are you on Team Rapport now? Not so fast...
Experience vs Rapport
Drum roll please... the answer to the question of whether experience or rapport is more important when choosing professionals is...
Both. Or perhaps I should say "it depends".
Okay, I know you don't like that answer, but reality is the importance of experience and rapport will vary depending on the specific needs and context of your project. In other words, both factors matter, but their relative importance may change.
In smaller projects, rapport may play a more substantial role. There's often a need to work closely together, and a strong personal connection can drive motivation, creativity, and alignment. Professionals who are receptive and approachable will more readily adapt to changes, listen to your vision, and adjust plans to meet your expectations.
For high-complexity projects that require specialized expertise, experience often takes precedence. In such cases, you need professionals who have “been there, done that” and can handle the technical demands and regulatory nuances of the project. In such projects, a seasoned professional’s track record is likely to be more critical than interpersonal compatibility.
In the end, experience and rapport don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Ideally, you should look for professionals who bring both a strong professional background and a positive, engaging attitude.
With the right mix, you gain a team that not only knows the industry inside and out but also aligns well with your working style and vision, setting the stage for a successful, fulfilling project.
