The strongest associates are the ones who arrive committed. The biggest warning sign is anyone who already has a fallback plan before they begin.
Hiring an associate is one of the most important decisions a team leader will make. A strong associate improves structure, communication and service. The wrong hire slows everything down. After many years working with high performing teams, there is one pattern that always stands out. Be cautious of anyone who walks into the interview with a plan B.
A plan B often means a family business or another job they can easily return to if real estate feels uncomfortable. It is a sign they are trying the industry rather than choosing it. Real estate requires resilience long before results appear. If someone already has an escape route, they will use it the moment they hit resistance.
Candidates who have a fallback also tend to arrive with unrealistic expectations. They see the surface level parts of the industry and assume it is glamorous. They expect quick listings and fast progression. The day to day reality is far more demanding. It is disciplined follow up, consistent prospecting, learning how to manage rejection and building habits that hold under pressure. Anyone who has not committed fully will struggle to stay the course.
What you want is someone who is all in. Someone who has made a deliberate choice to build a long term career. These people listen carefully, take feedback seriously and understand that structure matters. They settle into routines more easily and improve quickly because they are not distracted by what they could fall back on.
During interviews, pay attention to how a candidate speaks about the work. Do they talk about service, consistency and learning the craft, or are they focused only on outcomes. Do they show evidence of persistence in previous roles, or do they have a history of short commitments. Commitment is quiet but incredibly clear when you know how to spot it.
A committed associate gives your business more than task support. They enhance your service standard, strengthen communication with clients and protect the momentum of your pipeline. When trained properly, they become an important part of your long term growth.
This is where structured development helps. Many leaders use real estate sales coaching and accountability coaching for real estate agents to guide new associates through the fundamentals. Programs that focus on sales mindset coaching real estate, real estate sales skills coaching and performance coaching for real estate agents can accelerate their progress and bring consistency much earlier.
The most reliable associates are not the ones with perfect experience. They are the ones who have made a clear decision to be in the industry. Choose someone who is committed to learning, give them the right structure and they will strengthen your team for years to come.

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