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Home of the REB Top 100 Agents

Why Autonomy and Mistakes Are Essential for Developing Agents

By Adrian Bo
01 September 2025 | 2 minute read
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One of the most important responsibilities of a lead agent is mentoring associate agents and helping them grow into their own careers.

While it may feel natural to step in and manage every detail, real development only happens when junior agents are given autonomy, responsibility, and the space to make mistakes.

The Role of Responsibility

Developing agents need to take ownership of tasks if they are to learn initiative. When every decision is made for them, they fail to build the confidence and judgment that the role requires. By providing clear responsibility, you create opportunities for them to step up, make choices, and begin to understand the consequences of their actions.

The Value of Mistakes

Mistakes are not setbacks; they are lessons. Each mistake provides a reference point, creating a sense of accountability and, often, a little pain that ensures the same error is not repeated. Without mistakes, there is no growth. Shielding associate agents from challenges or coddling them may feel supportive in the short term, but it ultimately robs them of the very experiences that shape a capable and resilient agent.

Building Autonomy

To accelerate the development of your team members, you must deliberately step back at times. Provide guidance and support, but avoid micromanaging. Allow them to experiment with prospecting calls, follow-ups, or even small elements of a listing campaign. Over time, the autonomy you grant will result in stronger performance, sharper skills, and greater confidence.

Lessons and Growth

Every career in real estate is built on lessons, both successes and mistakes. For developing agents, the goal should not be to avoid failure at all costs but to engage with it productively. As leaders, creating an environment where associates can take initiative, make mistakes, and grow from them will always deliver better long-term results than one built on constant supervision.

By Adrian Bo, CEO of Adrian Bo Real Estate Training & Auctions

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