We need to write more descriptive language into our NDAs so everyone understands what they're getting into when they sign them.

Whether or not the estate manager you hired works out for you, you will have gotten something for your money and your risk.

It’s time to look at household staffing differently.

From the first day I stepped into my role as an estate manager, I had an idea of how I thought it should be. I had been working on luxury properties for more than 20 years, but not in them. And I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I was hired for this very demanding role.

Once built, this Excel spreadsheet is a powerful tool. The rows of information in this database can be sorted by Who completes the task (the appliance repair technician), the frequency of the task (Annual service), or the Item category (Dishwasher, Dryer, Exhaust Fan, etc.). Then all information can be added to your calendar.

What would it take to just say "thank you" and let your staff feel appreciated? King Charles is doing it.

Recent job descriptions of estate managers have become a laughable list of unrealistic expectations and impossible deliverables. As with any job, an employee should have reasonable agility to adapt to ever-changing work environments. While the growing trend of homeowners wanting fewer staff in their homes is understandable, it shouldn’t be seen as an opportunity for unethical behavior.

Whether you are firing the staff or leaving on their own accord, let’s dive deep into some areas that might help improve your staff’s longevity. Retaining top talent is a game. Are you a rookie or a seasoned pro?

"Succession" points to the frequent misalignment between service level expectations and staff investment.

Hint for homeowners with household management staff: no healthy relationship is sustainable long-term without it.

It is possible to care for someone AND maintain professional boundaries and expectations. In fact, it is the most respectful way to protect and respect a relationship. Here are six suggestions for successful boundaries, outlining performance expectations, and tracking accountability with household staff.

In private service, experience matters. In addition to saving a life, understanding HR practices, and having the skills required for high-tech homes, private service differs from almost any other industry due to the broad range of experience needed and the personal nature of working inside someone’s home. Here are 7 factors critical to an employee's success and longevity.

When developing your online household management system, on Trello or otherwise, some finesse is needed to get tech-adverse human beings on board. Expect some resistance and use a large dose of patience so that everyone on your team feels comfortable with the new information.

For 29 years, I have worked for no money-, new money-, faux money-, and old money clients. I can’t always tell which is which, no matter the brand of cars parked in the driveway, the size of the home, or how they dress. But one thing is crystal clear, I know which ones have learned lessons from the past and learned to protect their assets and their wealth…

When a vast majority of new millionaires are coming from the tech industry these days, it’s more important than ever for private service professionals to up their tech skills to stay in the game. The days of Moleskin notebooks and paper calendars are long gone. It’s time to check your ego (and old ways) and jump on board with the advanced level of home and personal technology.

I’m continually amazed when I walk into a 10,000-square-foot house and find the house manager working on a laptop at the kitchen table. Often, these houses have bedrooms that no one ever sleeps in. And yet, there’s no designated work space for household staff. If you’re new to hiring full-time household staff, you might think, “why would I give up a part of my home for my staff?”

We are all creatures of habit and get stuck in our ways, but when we get thrown sideways by daily “emergencies,” important tasks get dropped, and essential duties fall through the cracks, something’s got to change.

The relationship we build with our recruiter can be one of the most pivotal relationships in our career – either positive or negative. Similar to an agent, we need recruiters to do more than submit our resumes to homeowners.

Let’s be honest. Our worst nightmare is the first month of new employment, where we know nothing yet expect to know everything. With job descriptions leaning towards hybrid roles, let’s get clear on expectations before we sign the deal.

The reality is that everything comes at a cost, and often, private service professionals pay the price. How do we protect ourselves and create a sustainable career in an industry where boundaries are seen as a weakness?