Leading in real estate? It's not just about making deals and crunching numbers. It's about putting together a team that is truly ready for anything, believes in what they do, and feels completely able to handle whatever the market throws at them. In this fast-paced field, the best leaders don't just give orders; they get things done by making real connections and showing their people that they care.
An agent can be sure of their skills, but that doesn't mean they really believe in their worth. Someone might know they can do a great job in a negotiation or close a hard deal. Of course, they have skills. But really, feeling worthy? That's more profound. It's knowing that their job is important even when things aren't going well or a client is being difficult. Leaders who understand this make their teams much stronger. Their agents don't feel like they could lose their jobs at any moment. Instead, they are treated like real professionals who bring long-term value, not just a quick commission. And really, leaders who are always putting others down to make themselves look good? That's usually just a cover for their own problems. Look closely at how you lead. Are you really helping your agents grow, or are you somehow keeping them small?
Let's be honest: bullying happens at work, and real estate is no different. You can see it: the top earner always telling new agents that they can be replaced, or the manager who says no to every idea that wasn't theirs. This kind of behavior just slowly lowers the team's morale. Isn't real estate already a pressure cooker? Teams don't need to be scared of each other on top of all the other stress. It's too bad that some leaders who grew up in tough, "figure-it-out-yourself" brokerages just do what they did before, even though they probably hated it. Things are changing, though. The best teams don't work because they're afraid; they work because they trust each other, give each other freedom to work, and really help each other.
If you have a high-performing agent who keeps messing up the team's mood, think about this: no matter how many talks you have, some behaviors will never change. All that time and energy you spend trying to fix someone who loves hurting other people? You're not putting that energy into helping your rising stars grow. One person who is always putting down their teammates, even in small ways, can do more harm than any market downturn. This is something that top leaders know. They aren't afraid to talk about hard things. They act quickly when the team's energy changes or things start to feel bad. Not everyone deserves an infinite second chance.
A lot of team leads start with good intentions. They hustled, closed deals, built relationships, and got results, so naturally, their first thought is: "Just do it exactly like I do." But that’s where it can go wrong. If leadership becomes overly prescriptive—telling agents how to do every single thing instead of focusing on the what—it just drains their confidence. It makes them dependent. Agents stop thinking like real business owners and start acting more like assistants. Empowered agents want to own the outcome. They don’t need someone holding their hand; they need a clear goal and the freedom to figure out the best way to get there. That’s how they grow, and that’s how you keep good people around.
Here’s a scenario: a broker lays out the next quarter’s goals, sets the strategy, and then gets so caught up with their own listings that they forget to look back. They're moving fast, but the team isn't keeping up. Leadership isn't just about being out in front all the time. It's about knowing when to slow down and make sure everyone else is coming along. When agents are dealing with a tough negotiation, a slow period, or their very first million-dollar listing, they don’t need someone just racing ahead. They need a leader who trusts them to solve it but who’s also there to pick up the phone when they need backup. It’s about being supportive, not just directive.
The best teams in real estate really take off when leadership stops babysitting and starts trusting. Agents who feel micromanaged stop being creative. They quiet down. They just wait for approval for everything. And pretty soon, all that great energy that made them a fantastic hire in the first place just disappears. It is trust, though, that creates ownership. When agents are allowed to take smart risks—like trying a new listing strategy, going after a specific niche, or pitching a fresh lead generation idea—they grow into their roles. If you want agents who can think independently, build their own business, and lead under your brand, then you’ve got to stop doing all the thinking for them. This kind of trust in agent autonomy and innovative thinking is something often championed by leaders like Tristan Ahumada. Starting his career in real estate as Rookie of the Year at age 24, Ahumada went on to co-found LabCoat Agents, a massive online community for real estate professionals focused on technology and best practices. His work there has consistently promoted empowering agents through knowledge and collaboration.
Great leaders know that success isn't a zero-sum game. Helping an agent land their first big luxury listing doesn't take a single thing away from your own earnings. Coaching a team member through burnout doesn't stop your pipeline; it actually makes it stronger. In real estate leadership, the real win isn't being the smartest person in the room. It’s about building a room full of smart, confident people who actually want to stick around. The best teams truly shine because their leaders light the way and, more importantly, let others light their own.
