When you sponsor a newly licensed agent or hire an employee new to real estate, you’re never sure how it will work out—no matter how much effort you put into the vetting process. But witnessing certain traits once they’re on board can indicate that they have what it takes to succeed. 

Art Markman, PhD, a professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, suggests in this fastcompany.com article that you watch these areas to see if someone has growth potential: 

  • Do they own their mistakes? Success in real estate requires agents to handle situations that they likely haven’t experienced yet. They will make mistakes. The thing to watch for is that they admit the mistakes and learn from them.
  • Are they humble? It takes a team to succeed in real estate. Someone with growth potential will recognize the need to collaborate and acknowledge others’ contributions.
  • Will they listen? Whether they have a formal mentor or simply pay attention to the world around them, they can learn a lot from others—especially those who are already successful at real estate. 

There is no guarantee that any new addition to your brokerage will thrive. However, seeing these traits early on are good indicators of future potential for success.