One of the best things you can have as a newbie agent, is someone in your corner. Someone who can show you the ropes, answer the “is this normal?” questions, and help you build confidence through hands-on experience.
But does that mean you should join a team? Not necessarily.
Early Agent Life
When I first got licensed, one of my close friends was about six months ahead of me in the industry. The small gap might not seem significant, but it made a difference. We’d sit at her kitchen counter and she’d walk me through MLS functions, answer my basic questions, and practice writing offers. It might’ve seemed silly to do without having any clients –*like zero*, but practice was practice.
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.
The team met once a week for 1–2 hours. We’d talk about the market, catch up on each other’s lives, share wins, ask questions, and vent about hard days. I genuinely enjoyed the sense of community and camaraderie in our small group. It was comforting to feel like you didn’t have to figure everything out on your own.
The few times I had the opportunity to shadow were especially valuable. Being a fly on the wall during real conversations and situations taught me more than I expected. And the more exposure I had, the quicker I learned.
But as time went on, the meetings started to feel less productive and educational, and a little more like busy work. I found myself copying, printing, running errands, designing marketing pieces, and holding opens. While I appreciated the opportunity, I also noticed I was navigating many of my first client interactions and early transactions largely on my own. The team leader was often too busy to provide the consistent one-on-one mentorship I had 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.
What to Ask the Team Leader
If you’re considering joining a team, get clear on what you’re actually looking for. Asking questions upfront saves you from grey areas later. Here are some to get started:
- Do you prioritize volume, mentorship, or long-term agent development?
- What expectations do you have for your team members?
- How often will we meet or check-in?
- Will there be one-on-one coaching, shadowing, and transaction support?
- What does support look like during transactions, especially when something urgent comes up?
- Will I have freedom to build my personal brand?
- How are splits structured, and do they change if I bring the lead?
- Is there a contract or commitment period?
These questions are intended to help both sides get aligned and set clear expectations from the beginning.
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.
The key is understanding the difference between being around the business… and being intentionally developed within it.
You might like: My Secret Sauce to Generating Leads, Perks of Open Houses – & It’s Not Leads, or Why I’m Not Available 24/7
