and practice writing offers with me. It might’ve seemed silly to do without having any clients –*like zero*, but practice was practice. Yes there were classes available, but her hands-on teaching offered more practical skills than a lecture or presentation. My friend unintentionally became my mini mentor.

That experience taught me early on that guidance doesn’t only come from a team structure.

What I Learned After Joining a Team

Within my first year, I was invited to join a team led by a powerhouse agent in the industry. I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn the biz from someone I admired, and I was grateful for the invitation.

The team met once a week for 1-2 hours. We’d talk about the market and catch up on each other’s lives. I genuinely enjoyed the sense of community and camaraderie. 

The few times I had the opportunity to shadow or ride in the car were especially valuable. My team leader would explain the history of neighborhoods and what developments were coming to the area. The more times I could be a fly on the wall and observe real situations, the more I learned. 

But as time went on, our meetings started to feel less productive and educational, and a little more like busy work – especially as a newbie agent. I found myself copying, printing, running errands, designing marketing pieces, and holding opens. Yes – I was learning through exposure and I appreciated the opportunity, but I noticed I navigated my first client interactions and early transactions largely on my own. The team leader was often too busy for the consistent one-on-one mentorship I hoped for.

That’s when I realized, hands-on experience and intentional mentorship aren’t always the same thing.

Team Leader vs Mentor

Over the years, I’ve learned there’s a real difference between a team leader and a mentor. A team leader may be focused on growing their business — increasing production, building systems, support coverage, and brand presence. They may offer learning through hands-on exposure and shadowing. That’s valuable in its own way — and it might even be exactly what you’re looking for. But mentorship is different. A mentor invests in your development. Teaching. Guiding. And giving you bumper lanes — not just tasks.

Get Clear on Why You Want to Join a Team

If you’re considering joining a team, the real question is: What are you hoping to get out of it?

Education? Confidence? Leads? Community? Structure? Credibility? A faster learning curve? One-on-one coaching? Hands-on experience?

And sometimes *esp in the beginning*, you just want a sense of community. A place to ask questions, share wins, vent about hard days, and feel like you’re not figuring everything out alone. That’s completely understandable too. Once you know what you’re really looking for, the next step is asking clear questions before you join the team.

What to Ask the Team Leader

Asking questions saves you from gray areas later. Here are a few to get started:

• What does support actually look like day-to-day, week-to-week, or during transactions?
• How often will we meet or check-in?
• Will there be any one-on-one coaching or shadowing opportunities?
• What tasks will I realistically be responsible for?
• How are splits structured?

And an important one that newer agents don’t always think to ask: Are there any financial commitments expected of me or are those mostly covered by the team leader? (I.E. contributing toward marketing materials, client events, signage, or team headshots + branding)

The Takeaway

At the end of the day, mentorship is essential when you’re starting out. A team can be one way to find it – a peer, mentor, or small agent circle can be another.

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