What Makes an Agent Unhappy

by | Apr 28, 2025

For years, researchers have attempted to quantify what makes people happy in their jobs.

While it’s obvious this information would be helpful from a retention perspective, it’s something every recruiter would want to know as well.

Why?

Unhappiness is a powerful catalyst for change.

As humans, we become convinced the grass is greener on the other side by first becoming dissatisfied with our own grass.

Over the next few days, we’ll consider research conducted by the iOpener Institute for People and Performance.

In a study involving more than 9,000 people from around the world, the researchers investigated the characteristics of individuals who tend to be happy at work. Here is a quick summary.

People who are happy in their jobs…

-are contributing.

-believe in the company’s purpose.

-fit in with the culture.

-are committed to helping the company win.

-feel confident in their own abilities and the abilities of their teammates.

Each of these issues is a pathway to uncover dissatisfaction and unhappiness among your recruiting prospects.

And seeds of unhappiness eventually produce a harvest of recruiting success.

 

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.