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Coaching

Coaching Agents Who Won't Prospect

An agent who will not prospect is usually avoiding a specific moment, not the whole activity. A short, structured conversation finds the moment and a first step the agent will take.

An agent who will not prospect is usually avoiding a specific moment, not the whole activity. A short, structured conversation finds the moment and a first step the agent will take.

The four-question script

  1. "What part of prospecting do you put off?" Look for a specific moment: the dial, the ask, the follow-up.
  2. "What do you do instead?" The substitute task shows the pattern. Preparing points to the Planner. Texting points to the Texter.
  3. "What do you expect to happen if you do it?" The answer names the fear: rejection, looking unprofessional, conflict.
  4. "What is the smallest version you would do today?" One live conversation, agreed on and booked.

After the conversation

When it is not working

If the agent finds a reason to avoid even the smallest step, move from coaching to diagnosis. The R2R Assessment identifies the pattern. See the 13 archetypes.

What to avoid

Do not add a quota or a lecture. See how to motivate real estate agents.

Frequently asked questions

How long should the conversation take?

About fifteen minutes.

What if the agent says they are too busy?

Ask what the busy work is. It is usually the substitute task.

Is this therapy?

No. It is a coaching conversation about work behavior.

Related reading: 14 reasons agents stop prospecting · Call reluctance in real estate · Performance improvement plan

Dr. Jeffrey Scott Stanton, DCH is the former EVP of Learning & Development at Douglas Elliman Real Estate and the founder and Chief Learning Officer of R2R Diagnostic Group, where he helps real estate organizations and agents diagnose and fix the behavioral patterns behind inconsistent performance.

Name the pattern, then change it.

The R2R Assessment identifies which pattern is actually running and what to do about it. Take a look at the assessment, or book a conversation.