Hi Shauna,
Try not to confuse the job and tasks you do with the person you are. There are tasks a Manager must perform to increase the asset's value, whether it is through an eviction, collecting on time, late or overdue past rent, correcting resident behavior and any number of other things. What you do though is not who you are. I think in the long run, most all residents conclude that their Manager cares, has a heart, and is fun - they see this at resident events, in your newsletters and social media posts, when you out walking and laughing with the kids and parents, passing out treats on the first day of school or at the pool. They also notice when you stay late to work on reports. Believe in yourself! Show your confident side every day! Smile - I always say you haven't really arrived in this industry until some disgruntled ex-resident talks smack about you in a review.

The PM position can be very straining at times. Especially when you have situations where you have to enforce the rules and that rule can be questionable. But as long as you treat that person with respect and empathy, you can walk away feeling like you’ve done the best job and enforced the policies with professionalism etc. And I truly believe that the resident although may still be mad, they won’t feel like it was an intentional attack on only them! And that my friend will set you apart from that mean, unfriendly Manager that we all know or have worked under as Assistants.

It’s all in the way you talk to your residents. I treat my residents with respect when I’m telling them what they’re doing wrong or what needs to be corrected. I’m a tough manager and I’m respected by my residents.

Yup! The only people who hate us are usually the ones breaking the rules and receiving the letters. Just keep that in mind. You can’t make everyone happy and you can’t keep people from being stupid.

So true especially the eviction part

18 years and counting