I’ve been with The Agency for almost two years now, and one of the most meaningful lessons I’ve learned during that time is the value of collaboration over competition. This isn’t just something we talk about internally. It’s a philosophy that applies to every Realtor, every brokerage, and every transaction.
Real estate works best when we remember that we are all on the same side of the table. Buyers, sellers, and agents all want the same outcome: a smooth, successful closing. That outcome is far more likely when cooperation, clear communication, and professionalism lead the process.
There are moments in this business where egos can get in the way. I’ve never fully understood that. We are not performing brain surgery. We are selling homes. Important work, yes, but work that requires teamwork more than bravado. When egos take over, deals stall, relationships suffer, and clients lose.
For those who may not know, Mauricio Umansky is the Founder and CEO of The Agency and one of the most respected leaders in the global real estate industry. He built The Agency on the belief that collaboration creates better outcomes than competition, not only within a company, but across the entire industry. His vision was to create a brokerage where agents share ideas, opportunities, and solutions instead of guarding them. That philosophy has helped grow The Agency into a truly global brand while maintaining a culture rooted in integrity, relationships, and professionalism.
That mindset strongly aligns with how we choose to operate. When agents respect one another and work together, everyone benefits, especially the clients who trust us with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
My partner, Wayne Kirby, and I are the owners and managing partners of The Agency Oklahoma City and The Agency Tulsa. Before ownership, we were simply Realtors. We were in the trenches writing contracts, navigating inspections, handling tense negotiations, and doing everything possible to protect our clients while still getting deals across the finish line.
That experience shapes how we lead. Ownership does not mean control. It means responsibility. Responsibility to our agents, our clients, and the broader real estate community.
One area where collaboration seems to be breaking down lately is around TRRs. Yes, the TRRs. What was designed to be a practical tool has, in many cases, turned into a grudge match between Realtors. It can feel less about solving problems and more about who can one-up the other.
For those outside the day-to-day contract process, a TRR refers to Treatments, Repairs, and Replacements. It is the formal document used after a home inspection where a buyer may request specific treatments, repairs, or replacements based on items identified during the inspection period. The purpose of a TRR is not to reopen negotiations, but to reasonably address material issues so the transaction can continue toward closing.
In today’s market, TRRs have become one of the most difficult and emotionally charged parts of a transaction. They sit at the intersection of money, expectations, timelines, and stress. Buyers are trying to protect their investment. Sellers may feel defensive about their home. Agents are balancing advocacy with realism, all while operating under tight deadlines.
Instead of approaching TRRs with a problem-solving mindset, some agents treat them like a battlefield. Requests are written aggressively. Responses feel personal. Communication breaks down. What should be a professional discussion turns into a power struggle.
That helps no one.
Most homes are not perfect. Inspections uncover issues. Buyers ask for repairs. Sellers push back. That is normal. What is not helpful is using TRRs as leverage to embarrass, intimidate, or “win” against another Realtor. When that happens, the focus shifts away from the clients we are supposed to be serving.
TRRs require experience, patience, and perspective. They require understanding what truly matters, what is reasonable, and where compromise makes sense. Calm conversations close more deals than emotional emails ever will.
This challenge ties directly into another issue within our industry: how some brokers react when an agent decides to leave their office.
When an agent leaves a brokerage, it is not a personal attack. It is not betrayal. Realtors are independent contractors, and they have every right to choose the environment that best supports their business, values, and personal lives. That freedom is foundational to our industry.
Unfortunately, when agents leave, emotions sometimes take over. Rumors start. Gossip spreads. Frustration gets misdirected. What should be a respectful professional transition turns into unnecessary tension. That behavior is unprofessional and damaging to the industry as a whole.
When we opened our offices, we experienced this firsthand. The assumptions. The rumors. The frustration directed our way simply because agents explored another option. Many of those agents reached out on their own. We didn’t pressure anyone. We didn’t recruit aggressively. We simply had conversations.
In some cases, we’ve even seen situations where agents were threatened when they chose to leave their brokerage to join us. Threats of legal action without merit, intimidation, or attempts to damage reputations have no place in a professional industry. Agents should never feel fear for making a career decision. Choosing where to work is a personal and professional choice, not an act of disloyalty.
At our core, we are a company that genuinely cares about people. If an agent ever decides to leave our company, we will thank them for the time we shared and wish them well. That is not a slogan. That is how we operate. The Agency is not for everyone, and that’s okay. Different agents thrive in different environments, and we respect every Realtor’s right to choose what is best for their business and their life.
We will never burn bridges. Oklahoma is a small state. Relationships matter. Reputation matters. Character matters most.
True leadership shows up not only when agents join an office, but when agents leave it. Grace, humility, and professionalism speak far louder than frustration or insecurity. Leadership should create confidence, not control.
The Agency’s global presence is built on collaboration. Our culture encourages cooperation not only within our offices, but across the entire industry. We believe real estate should be professional, respectful, and relationship-driven.
A few thoughts worth leaving you with:
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Leadership is measured by how people are treated, especially when paths change.
Success is more meaningful when it’s shared.
Let’s put the egos aside. Let’s approach TRRs with perspective. Let’s treat each other with respect. Let’s collaborate.
Philippians 2:3–4 - “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Wyatt Poindexter
Managing Partner, The Agency
405-417-5466
[email protected]
www.WyattPoindexter.com
www.TheAgencyRE.com
