Think building a real estate team is just about hiring more agents? Think again. After 18 years of scaling teams and surviving every market condition, I'm breaking down the brutal truth about why most teams become expensive disasters instead of profit centers. This isn't another "rah-rah, build your empire" conversation. This is the real talk about what it actually takes to transition from solo producer to team leader—and why most agents aren't ready for what that really means. In this episode, you'll discover the one skill that separates thriving teams from costly mistakes, why treating hiring like an "event" instead of a process will sabotage everything you build, and the mindset shift that changed how I approach business growth entirely. Key Topics Covered: • Why most agents build teams for the wrong reasons (and how to know if you're ready) • The fatal flaw that kills teams before they start • How to set real standards vs. hopeful aspirations • The hiring process that actually works (and why you need more reps) • Why personal growth isn't optional for team leaders • The business-first relationship model that creates lasting loyalty • How market conditions expose weak team foundations Key Takeaways: • Recruiting is a process, not an event—you need interview reps like you need sales reps • Real standards focus on controllable activities, not outcomes like closings • Your team's ceiling is your ceiling—personal growth isn't negotiable • People will only stay as long as they see you as a vehicle for their success Whether you're thinking about building your first team or struggling to scale your current operation, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about leadership in real estate. Ready to stop guessing and start building teams that actually work? The strategies in this episode have been tested through multiple market cycles and can save you years of expensive mistakes. Connect with Kevin Kauffman and learn more about building your next level at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla⁠

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.