How Your Fitbit Can Help Your Retain Agents

by | Mar 13, 2025

Do you wear a fitness device that counts your steps each day?

If so, you’re not alone.

About 35% of adults in the U.S. (91 million people) wear these devices each day.

Ever wonder how these device manufacturers got such a high market penetration?

I suspect it was because they understood something about psychology and leveraged what researchers call the Hawthorne Effect.

The Hawthorne Effect was discovered during a research study conducted at the Western Electric factory outside of Chicago, between 1924 and 1932.

The researchers found that carefully measuring a person’s performance, in and of itself, improves productivity.

They concluded that the employees worked harder and were more productive simply because they knew that they were being individually monitored.

They also found that being treated special by an attentive and interested supervisor increased performance and loyalty.

Leaders who understand the Hawthorne Effect have two simple levers they use to improve retention:

Measure Progress:  Proactively measure an agent’s progress using both lead and lag measures.

Notice Results:  Paying attention to and showing interest in their results.

It’s not all you need to do, but building from this foundation is a great place to start.

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The Simple Psychology of Real Estate Recruiting [2nd Edition]

Unlock the secrets of effective real estate recruiting. Revised to include actionable frameworks for sharper execution and to help you turn psychological theory into a repeatable recruiting system.

Creating Pacts to Avoid Distraction

Creating Pacts to Avoid Distraction

Notice the two parts to Nir’s formula: a pre-commitment and an external force to keep you accountable to that commitment. For recruiting setting goals and time-blocks in your schedule is not enough. Most people need some kind of external accountability, as well.

Look for Individuals Who Want to be Measured

Look for Individuals Who Want to be Measured

It’s not that people with a growth mindset don’t experience failure—they just see failure as an opportunity to learn new things, to be challenged, and to experience curiosity. This is an important topic to cover during interviews and follow-up conversations with your prospects. If you find someone who likes being measured, you’ve likely found someone who will push through the inherent failures of growing a real estate business and experience long-term success.