NAR’s 2012 Leadership Academy is producing a card game called “Mind the Gap” to help bridge the generational divide between REALTORS®. The game is a scenario-based discussion starter where participants role play to better understand REALTORS® of different generations. For example, take this scenario from the game:

Maggie is a text-happy 24-year-old REALTOR®, who finds herself in a serious negotiation as a seller’s agent with 52-year-old Thomas, the buyer’s agent. As they come to the final counteroffer, Maggie is out with friends when Thomas begins to call multiple times.

Maggie sends a text to Thomas’ phone stating, “What’s up?!” Thomas is enraged by what he sees as a curt response and continues to call her. By the time she’s finished with her friend time, she sees “24 missed calls” on her phone from Thomas. As Maggie dials Thomas’ number, she is enraged. Meanwhile, Thomas is still reeling from the “what’s up” text message.

What happens in the conversation next, one can only imagine. You are in the role of a 45-year-old broker who oversees both these REALTORS® and both are furiously expecting you to resolve this personal conflict. How do you proceed?

NAR hopes to offer the game free to all REALTOR® associations this year.

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