Episode 24 - Agents I’ve Fired: The Good, The Bad, and the WTF

Let’s talk about something nobody really wants to talk about: firing people.

It’s uncomfortable. It’s awkward. And if you’re someone who cares deeply about the people you work with (hi, same), it can feel personal. But here’s the deal: when you’re running a real estate team or brokerage, you’re not just managing agents. You’re protecting a culture. You’re building something bigger than any one person.

And sometimes, that means saying goodbye even when it’s hard.

After 14 years of owning a brokerage, I’ve seen it all. The good, the brilliant, and the absolutely unhinged. And yes, I’ve had to fire more agents than I ever thought I would.

Today, I’m breaking down the six agent archetypes I’ve parted ways with so you can spot the red flags before they blow up your energy, your systems, or your client experience.

Let’s get into it.

1. The Egomaniac (AKA The Asshole)

This one’s a drama magnet. They’re usually high producers, which makes it tempting to overlook the red flags but trust me, don’t.

They blame everyone else, make staff miserable, and bulldoze the culture you’ve worked so hard to build. No deal is worth that. If someone constantly throws others under the bus or can’t stop talking about how amazing they are… run.

💬 Red flag quote: “I carried my last team. No one else could keep up.”

2. The Fair Housing Violator

This is the ethical liability you didn’t see coming until your CRM catches an email or your stomach drops mid-meeting.

Sometimes it’s ignorance. Sometimes it’s arrogance. Either way, if someone’s making coded comments or showing a complete lack of compliance awareness, that’s a hard no. You don’t have time to teach ethics to grown adults.

💬 Red flag quote: “That neighborhood just isn’t right for my client…”

3. The Checked-Out Agent

They used to be in it. Now? Not so much.

They don’t show up, don’t follow through, and they’re basically just coasting. This one’s tricky, because sometimes it’s burnout, and sometimes they’ve just mentally peaced out. Either way, your team deserves people who are all in or at least willing to get there.

💬 What to ask: “What are you excited to create in your business over the next 6-12 months?”

4. The Cling-On

Emotionally needy, no boundaries, and always texting like it’s a therapy session.

I get it, we all want to be supportive leaders. But there’s a difference between empowering someone and enabling them. You are not their emotional support broker. You have a business to run, and they need to learn how to stand on their own two feet.

💬 Red flag quote: “How often can I text you directly?”

5. The No Common Sense Agent

They’ve taken every class, watched every training, and still... can’t figure it out.

Every situation turns into a fire drill. They can’t problem-solve or make a decision without a play-by-play. And let’s be real, you do not have time to micromanage someone’s brain.

💬 Red flag behavior: Can't explain contract basics or next steps in a transaction.

6. The Hot Mess Express

Sweet, friendly, lovable...and completely unmanageable.

They’re always late, their files are a disaster, and they thrive in chaos, which means your admin team is pulling their hair out. I’ve seen Hot Mess agents have success, but the question is: at what cost to your culture and systems?

💬 Red flag quote: “I’m not really a systems person. I just go with the flow.”

Here's What I Want You to Know

You are allowed to protect your time, your energy, and your vision.

You don’t owe anyone a spot on your team. It’s not mean. It’s leadership. And sometimes, the most compassionate thing you can do for you, your staff, your clients, and even the agent, is to part ways.

Whether you’re hiring, managing, or just trying to build a business that doesn’t drain the life out of you, let this be your reminder:

👉 You’re not a babysitter.
👉 You’re not a therapist.
👉 You’re building something big and that means being intentional about who’s on the bus.

If you want to go deeper on all six archetypes (and get my favorite interview prompts for spotting them early), listen to the full episode now!

And if you’ve ever fired someone and immediately felt 100x lighter after...same. You’re not alone.

Keep building with purpose. You’ve got this.