Learn the step-by-step process for how real estate team leaders should coach new agents that don't have the time, focus or energy to generate new business.

One of the most common struggles I see with real estate team leaders, broker-owners, and even real estate coaches is the inability to effectively coach new or low-producing agents. It’s a leadership gap that hurts team performance and agent retention — and it often stems from how we handle overwhelm and time management.

If you’re wondering how real estate team leaders should coach new agents, the first step is to understand the root causes of underperformance. Spoiler alert: It’s usually not about lack of skill or commitment. It’s about time management and overwhelm.

Listen to The Brian Icenhower Podcast.

VIDEO: How Real Estate Team Leaders Should Coach New Agents

Why New Agents Feel Overwhelmed

Let’s face it: Most new agents hit a wall the moment they try to transition from learning to lead generating. They say they’re “too busy” or “overwhelmed,” especially in the spring when business starts picking up after a slow winter. What they’re really experiencing is the discomfort of getting into shape — both mentally and operationally.

Think of it like someone who’s out of shape trying to get back into a workout routine. Everything feels hard. There’s too much to do. They don’t know where to start. That’s exactly what happens when agents try to ramp up and begin implementing systems and strategies for the first time.

Unfortunately, most leaders and coaches make the mistake of going straight into “robot coach mode.” They bark out contact goals — 10 contacts a day, 20 contacts a day — without first understanding where the agent is starting from. This only increases the overwhelm, and it often leads to excuses, burnout, and eventually, attrition.

Stop Buying the Excuses

Let me be blunt. When a client tells you they’re broke or overwhelmed or can’t continue with your team or program, they’re often not telling the whole truth. Much like a breakup where someone says, “It’s not you, it’s me,” what they’re really saying is, “I can’t do the hard work.”

Leaders need to stop buying into those surface-level excuses. If someone leaves and says they can’t afford your coaching or team, but then signs up with another coach or broker, that tells you all you need to know. The issue wasn’t money. It was that we didn’t break through their initial overwhelm and get them to a place of clarity and direction.

Time Management Is the Real Problem

Here’s the deal: when an agent says they’re not getting their tasks done or feeling flustered, they have a time management problem. That’s why, when thinking about how real estate team leaders should coach new agents, teaching time management must be one of your very first coaching appointments.

Before you talk lead gen, before you talk contact goals, you need to help them structure their day.

Tighten up your accountability. Be the coach they need, not the one they expect. Don’t let their excuses become your comfort blanket.

Brian Icenhower

The First Coaching Call: A Sample Framework

When I coach a new or low-producing agent, the first thing I do is tap into their motivation — their “why.” What do they want? What happens if they don’t get it? Once I know that, I can anchor our work around it.

Then I ask for a time commitment. I’ll say, “Can you give me 1–3 hours a day?” I let them pick the number, but once they commit, we now have 5–15 hours a week to build a plan around.

Next, I give them immediate action items:

  1. Online Listing Referral Partners – I’ll have them sign up for 3 platforms per day (takes ~45 minutes total). This builds their lead sources and makes them feel like progress is happening fast.

  2. Video Training – I assign 2 short modules per day (about 40 minutes total). These are visual and help them understand the systems behind lead generation.

  3. SOI Outreach – I’ll ask them to reach out to 5 people per day and collect name, phone, email, and physical address. That’s it. This should take about an hour.

  4. Social Media Friendships – I make sure they’re connecting with those 5 people on Facebook and Instagram. Why? Because this is where we now stay in touch and keep visibility high.

That’s their homework — simple, clear, and achievable.

Always Paint the Finish Line

New agents won’t follow through on lead gen activities unless they see where they’re headed. So I always explain what they’ll gain by completing the course modules. They’ll get exposed to all the possible strategies for building their SOI — and from there, we’ll help them choose which ones they want to go deep on. That clarity helps them move faster and with confidence.

  • Leadership Strategies

    $249
    ICT Online Course

    Leadership Strategies

    Leadership Strategies course Icon

    Learn how to lead your real estate team or brokerage with confidence, clarity, and vision.

    • Discover proven leadership models used by top-performing real estate organizations

    • Learn how to inspire, motivate, and retain high-producing agents and staff

    • Develop effective communication and accountability strategies for your team

    • Understand how to set clear expectations and create a performance-driven culture

    • Gain tools to coach through conflict, manage change, and increase team morale

    • Includes leadership assessments, meeting templates, and actionable implementation tools

    Add to Cart Leadership Strategies course Icon

    Lead with Vision

    Develop a clear direction that aligns your people, systems, and goals.

    Leadership Strategies course Icon

    Inspire Peak Performance

    Motivate your agents and staff with proven leadership and accountability models.

    Leadership Strategies course Icon

    Build a Winning Culture

    Create an environment where productivity, retention, and growth thrive.

    Designed for all learning types

    Video Training

    In-depth video training walking you through each module of the course, explaining the strategies, tips, and best practices for using Canva for real estate agents.

    Written Workbook

    Detailed and downloadable written workbook that provides you with a bullet point outline, summarized text, action steps, key takeaways, as well as space for taking notes.

    Instructor Materials

    Teach this course at your organization with the help of our downloadable presentation notes, presentation files, and Instructor's Manual.

    Course curriculum

    Enrollment includes access to the following course materials for 6 months

    Welcome to Leadership Strategies
    • Welcome to Leadership Strategies with Rick Fuller

    • Sign up for the Executive Leadership Round Table Group Coaching Program

    • Join us at the ICC Regional Summit

    • Schedule a Coaching Call

    • Stay Connected via our REAL ESTATE AGENT ROUND TABLE Facebook Group

    Module 1: How to Scale Your Team
    • VIDEO: How to Scale Your Team
    • WORKBOOK: How to Scale Your Team
    1.  
    Module 2: Leadership Training for Real Estate Team Wanting to Grow
    • VIDEO: Leadership Training for Real Estate Team Wanting to Grow

    • WORKBOOK: Leadership Training for Real Estate Teams Wanting to Grow

    Module 3: Leading With Opportunities, Not Obstacles
    • VIDEO: Leading With Opportunities, Not Obstacles

    • WORKBOOK: Leading With Opportunities, Not Obstacles

    Module 4: Real Estate Agent Attraction Recruiting Strategies
    • VIDEO: Real Estate Agent Attraction Recruiting Strategies

    • WORKBOOK: Real Estate Agent Attraction Recruiting Strategies

    Module 5: Real Estate Leadership Coaching Strategies
    • VIDEO: Real Estate Leadership Coaching Strategies

    • WORKBOOK: Real Estate Leadership Coaching Strategies

    Module 6: Viral Team Goals and Activity Based Indicators
    • VIDEO: Viral Team Goals and Activity Based Indicators

    • WORKBOOK: Viral Team Goals and Activity Based Indicators

    Module 7: Public Accountability and Personal Responsibility
    • VIDEO: Public Accountability and Personal Responsibility

    • WORKBOOK: Public Accountability and Personal Responsibility

    Module 8: The Power of Dashboards
    • VIDEO: The Power of Dashboards

    • WORKBOOK: The Power Of Dashboards

    Module 9: Replacing Yourself as a Real Estate Leader
    • VIDEO: Replacing Yourself as a Real Estate Leader

    • WORKBOOK: Replacing Yourself as a Real Estate Leader

    Leadership Strategies

    About this course

    • $249.00
    • 23 lessons
    • 5.5 hours of video content
    Add to Cart

    Leadership Strategies

    Click to watch more about this real estate training course

    Reviews

    "I use ICT systems, the Icenhower Institute, and the coaching program to coach and train my team of over 30 agents. I use the ICT dashboard systems to keep my entire team accountable for their activities and set proper expectations." Jake Rockwell Over 500 Units Sold Annually "I have coached with ICT for over five years. ICT has helped me quadruple my luxury business through marketing strategies so that I receive listings and sales through lead generation and multiple pillars of income." soi audio workbook Dennis Adelpour Luxury Agent - West Los Angeles "When we started coaching with ICT we worked all the time with some degree of success. Now, seven years later, we have grown to have the #1 market share in our area, we more than tripled our income and production, while also improving our work-life balance to enjoy our personal life with family and friends." recruit audio workbook Tammi Humphrey #1 Market Share & 100 Million in Annual Sales Volume Instructor

    Rick ​Fuller.

    Raise your leadership skills and develop your leadership strategies to grow your business.

    I am so excited about this course, Leadership Strategies

    This is about you raising the lid on your leadership so you can raise the lid on all of your organizations, raise the lid on your ancillaries, raise the lid on your people.

    You cannot outgrow your personal development. 

    Your outward growth starts with your inward development in terms of leadership. This is what this course is all about: raise your leadership skills so that you can grow your business.

    Leadership Strategies course Icon

    Lead your real estate organization with purpose and proven systems.

    Enroll in Leadership Strategies to master the frameworks, communication skills, and accountability tools that drive growth and performance. Learn how to lead confidently, coach effectively, and build a culture that lasts.

    Start your leadership transformation today.

    Add to Cart

    Talk to a coach

    If you've been considering hiring a coach, now's the time. Book a FREE coaching consultation session with your purchase of this course! Book Your Call Team Onboarding Real Estate Coaching See all courses
    Quick View
  • Time Management for Real Estate Agents

    $149
    ICT Online Course

    Time Management

    Time Management course Icon

    Take control of your schedule, increase productivity, and create more balance with time management systems designed specifically for real estate agents.

    • Learn how to time-block effectively to focus on lead generation, client care, and personal growth

    • Discover the daily habits and routines that top producers use to stay consistent

    • Gain strategies for prioritizing tasks, minimizing distractions, and working efficiently

    • Build a weekly schedule that aligns with your goals and supports sustainable success

    • Understand how to track progress, measure performance, and stay accountable

    • Includes daily planner templates, time-blocking calendars, and productivity checklists

    Add to Cart time management

    Own Your Schedule

    Learn proven time management strategies that maximize focus and minimize burnout.

    time management

    Work Smarter, Not Harder

    Structure your day around high-impact activities that drive business growth.

    time management

    Create Balance

    Build routines that support productivity, profitability, and personal well-being.

    Designed for all learning types

    Video Training

    In-depth video training walking you through each module of the course, explaining the strategies, tips, and best practices for using Canva for real estate agents.

    Written Workbook

    Detailed and downloadable written workbook that provides you with a bullet point outline, summarized text, action steps, key takeaways, as well as space for taking notes.

    Instructor Materials

    Teach this course at your organization with the help of our downloadable presentation notes, presentation files, and Instructor's Manual.

    Course curriculum

    Enrollment includes access to the following course materials for 6 months

    Course materials

    • Time Management for Agents
    • Video: Time Management for Agents
    • Resource: Goal & Milestone Exercise (Fillable)
    • Resource: Goal & Milestone Tracker (Fillable)
    • Resource: Daily SOI Contact Form (Fillable)
    • Resource: 4-Week Schedule (Printable)
    • Resource: End-of-Week Debrief (Fillable)
    • Resource: One Day, 20 Contacts (Fillable)
    • Resource: Ways to Make Habits Stick
    • Resource: Lead-Tracking Sheet (Printable)
    • Resource: Personalized Schedule (Printable)
    • Resource: Prospecting Accountability Chart (Printable)
    • Resource: Sample ICC Year-to-Date Check-Up Form
    • Resource: Sample Weekly Calendar
    time management

    About this course

    • $149
    • 17 lessons
    • .5 hours of video content
    Add to Cart

    Reviews

    "I use ICT systems, the Icenhower Institute, and the coaching program to coach and train my team of over 30 agents. I use the ICT dashboard systems to keep my entire team accountable for their activities and set proper expectations." Jake Rockwell Over 500 Units Sold Annually "I have coached with ICT for over five years. ICT has helped me quadruple my luxury business through marketing strategies so that I receive listings and sales through lead generation and multiple pillars of income." soi audio workbook Dennis Adelpour Luxury Agent - West Los Angeles "When we started coaching with ICT we worked all the time with some degree of success. Now, seven years later, we have grown to have the #1 market share in our area, we more than tripled our income and production, while also improving our work-life balance to enjoy our personal life with family and friends." recruit audio workbook Tammi Humphrey #1 Market Share & 100 Million in Annual Sales Volume Instructor

    Brian ​Icenhower.

    Founder & CEO of Icenhower Coaching & Consulting

    Founder/CEO of one of the world's largest real estate coaching, training, and education companies. ICC is also a leader in online training courses, systems, and company-branded websites for agent and brokerage training and onboarding.

    time management

    Take control of your time and transform your productivity.

    Enroll in Time Management for Real Estate Agents (ICT) to master scheduling, time-blocking, and accountability systems that help you work efficiently and achieve your goals. Build the structure and consistency that top agents rely on for lasting success.
    Start mastering your time today.

    Add to Cart

    Talk to a coach

    If you've been considering hiring a coach, now's the time. Book a FREE coaching consultation session with your purchase of this course! Book Your Call Team Onboarding Real Estate Coaching See all courses
    Quick View

Use Small Wins to Trigger Bigger Lessons

Let’s say they come back to our next call and say, “I didn’t get it all done. I got overwhelmed.” Great. That’s the moment I’ve been waiting for. That’s the moment we transition into time management training.

I’ll send them our Time Management module and then teach them how to time block their calendar:

  • First, block off personal commitments (family time, school drop-off, etc.)

  • Next, add client appointments

  • Then, block in our agreed 1–3 hours of focused work time

I ask them to screenshot their calendar and text it to me each day. If they don’t get their daily work done, they need to text me that same day — not wait until our next meeting. This keeps accountability tight and real.

No More To-Do Lists — Only Time-Blocked Calendars

I don’t believe in to-do lists. Instead, I teach them to use a “when will I do it” list. Everything needs a calendar commitment — a time attached to it. That’s how I live, and that’s why I’m so productive.

My calendar includes everything — when I brush my teeth, when I eat, when I work out. Why? Because if it’s not on my calendar, it’s not happening. That’s how I stay present in every conversation and avoid stress and anxiety about forgotten tasks.

Don’t Let Them Quit Before They Begin

Here’s the truth about how real estate team leaders should coach new agents: You have to help them get small wins, fast. Don’t throw them into deep lead gen before they’re ready. Pair learning with activity. Help them understand what they’re doing and why. Get them excited about where they’re going.

And when they inevitably hit that time management wall, don’t back off. Tighten up your accountability. Be the coach they need, not the one they expect. Don’t let their excuses become your comfort blanket.

Effective coaching isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about breaking through overwhelm and building confidence through structure. You do that, and you won’t just retain more agents — you’ll turn them into rockstars.