There are those who make bold moves.  Some are rewarded handsomely while others are not as fortunate.  For good reason and not.  Stuff indeed happens.  

I see it two ways...

1. I would like to think that I made a difference in my industry, training or mentoring new agents most of my career. I think I brought my previous career into the real estate industry.

2. Our clients, who don't work in the industry are often teaching us when it comes to customer service, whether it be from their experience with us or other agents in the past. I would like to think that most of us listen to this feedback, proactively implementing improvements, thereby making a positive change on our industry.

Much of learning comes from necessity, I have always been up to the challenge to learn a new set of skills.

Disagree, change comes from everywhere both inside & out. You are referring to 'disruptors' who seem to permeate our industry lately. The market will decide if the disruptors are right or not. If no one uses their 'revolutionary' product then it's moot. Then because it failed, they say realtors don't want to change.

Absolutely agree that you must leave your comfort zone and do things you don't know if you can handle. "If you're not failing, you're not trying". There are a couple people I know who resist change and when asked to try something they don't know, always reply "I can't do that" which really means "I don't want to do that". 

I disagree that people from the outside change an industry...they may offer an objective viewpoint that those in the industry fail to see because they are either blinded by emotion or habit (think consultants who are brought in to do an analysis and report suggested changes). But change within an industry can only occur when those in the industry are committed to not only implementing change but enforcing it. While those outside may be the impetus, they cannot effect a real change.

I leave my comfort zone but I never place myself in a zone where the discomfort might linger!!!  every individual cannot perform well in every scenario.... I know my strengths and I stay within those bounds.... it's an expansive enough area....

Those who think what they never thought, and do what they have never done, are the ones that find new paths to success!

Agree, but doesn’t change come from any source 

This is my moto. 

Yes, agree.

Agree.  How do you know unles you TRY?

It depends.  There are times when you should go for it.  Try something new.  Stretch yourself.

There are other times when it is best to say, "That's not something I can help you with, but I can recommend someone who can help you."

Basically, if it is one or two rungs higher than what you've done before, try it.  If it is a quantum leap above, and someone is paying you for the service, it's probably better to refer it to someone else.

Of course I'm speaking in generalities.  I might have a different answer if there was a more specific situation.

Change is inevitable and comes from a variety of people. 

Disagree Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 . It's people who have a vision and an idea of how they can make it work when no one has tried it their way before. It's all about time, place, and perseverance.

There is boldness with and without a strategic plan.

It's always better to 'play an intellectual game' if possible!

Having said that, my thought process usually ends with "Oh F It, Let's Do This!"

No guts, no glory!

I am not a believer in gross generalizations. Change comes about for many reasons and via many paths. There is no one source for change especially when you talk about something as broad as "industry." 

We must go where we feel the most resistance...Its there that growth awaits

I have done real estate my own way almost since the beginning of  my career.  I love to drive in my own car and meet at the house.  No one should use me as their role model with the exception of my loyalty to my client and fellow agents.  Also no one will ever outwork me or be more responsive.  Don't do as I do but listen to my advice as I have a good heart and care about anyone that wants my advice and most that don't.

The question seems to have to parts. I agree that it's great to do and try new things - both personally and professionally. I don't agree that industries are changed by folks outside of whatever industry. It's difficult to create an effect on something one is not part of or associated with.

They either change it, or fall flat on their faces.  I think a certain "tech centered brokerage" is an example of outsiders with no knowledge looking to profit and not so much change it.

WeWork is another example of a company falling flat on their faces trying to change an industry.

Let's not forget Purple Bricks.  Tried to change the US and Australian markets and left in defeat less than 2 years later.

Yes and no. If it affect sme, im all in. But if it affects other peoples money, then no. 

I agree that there are times you have to try something new. That's when you find out what you can't do and what you can do. As for the industry changing, it comes from many sources. When I started my career in Mortgage Banking, I was the only one in the office who had computer experience. Then they brought in big wigs who set up an intranet and laser printers for us. Some people did not like changing from a typewriter to a computer. I was from the younger generation embracing change. I saw first hand that you have to embrace change. Being generation X that is much of what our lives have been about... change. I took time away from work to be a SAHM (stay at home mom) and when I returned to Real Estate, it had changed from when I started in Real Estate. My early years in Real Estate we had dot matrix printers and picked up keys from offices or used one key for all lockboxes. When I returned, we were using cell phones, had our own laptops, laser printers of course, and our listings were online. That was 12 years ago. Now we have smart phones, electronic lock boxes, and we're in the middle of AI technology that runs our lives and homes. We have businesses (Z, T, Move, etc)  that influence Real Estate and have no experience in the field. So, yes people from the outside change our industry as well as people from the inside. 

Agree!!!!!!!!!!!!

Annette,

We all contribute in our own ways  regardless of the industry we are on.  A

There's a popular quote going around the internet, if you are offered the opportunity to do a job you know little about, take that opportunity & figure the rest out later- it goes something like that... makes sense to me. Most great things come out of work done by people who did not have all the answers yet were willing to make mistakes along the way to success. 

I agree more than I disagree. Nothing would change if there wasn't a risk-taker who tried something different.

My experience is that knowledge is better.

Learning is an adventure and can be a challenge. Not all are up to the challenge. We are blessed by the efforts of those who are willing to push the envelope and not accept the status quo.

Change to an industry can be from an external force or internal force. 

Maybe

Take a chance I always say, someone has to be first.

It just all depends, I would love to learn to fly, but I also know I know nothing about it.