You may have already noticed it…respect at work is in decline.
Have you ever felt like just another name on a roster? Like no one really sees what makes you different? Like you were just filling a seat instead of bringing something valuable? That’s how too many people feel at work today. And the numbers back it up: Only 37% of U.S. employees strongly agree they are treated with respect at work—the lowest level Gallup has ever recorded.
That number should make every leader pause.
Respect isn’t a perk or a bonus—it’s fundamental to how people show up at work. It shapes how they engage, how they perform, and, in real estate, how they serve clients.
But here’s the problem: Respect isn’t just something employees show leadership—it’s something leadership must consistently demonstrate to their team through actions, listening, and support.
Respect Is a Shared Responsibility
Real respect isn’t about authority. It’s about understanding.
The best workplaces don’t operate as rigid hierarchies. Instead, they function like a puzzle—each person bringing unique strengths that, when put together, create a complete picture. Respect thrives when every piece is recognized, valued, and supported in these key ways:
- Leadership: Those in guiding roles actively listen, provide support, and invest in the success of others.
- Team Members: Individuals feel safe sharing ideas, knowing they are heard and appreciated.
- Collaboration: Colleagues acknowledge each other’s strengths, building trust and shared success.
Yet, in many workplaces—including traditional real estate brokerages—this balance is missing.
Too often, respect is seen as a one-way expectation: staff is told to respect leadership, but leadership doesn’t always put in the same effort. In real estate, agents are left on their own, with little guidance, no real support, and a feeling that they’re just another number.
That disconnect spreads like an emotional contagion, moving from agents to clients faster than the common cold. When agents feel unheard and unsupported, that energy transfers, making it harder for clients to feel confident and valued in their home-buying or selling experience.
Why Respect and Support Matter in Real Estate
Gallup’s research is clear: team members who feel respected are five times more likely to be fully committed to their work.
And when that support is missing, the results are easy to see:
- Poor communication
- Lack of trust
- Rushed transactions
- A generic, impersonal experience for clients
In traditional real estate, too many agents feel disconnected—unsupported by their brokerage, left to figure things out on their own, and often burned out.
You shouldn’t have to wonder if your brokerage values you. At Worthington Realty, respect isn’t just a talking point—it’s the foundation of everything we do.
Worthington Realty’s Approach: Restoring Trust and Respect
At Worthington, we don’t just say we value our agents—we aim to prove it!
We built our brokerage around a simple but powerful purpose:
To restore trust and respect in real estate by deeply understanding each client’s needs, so that every homeowner feels heard, valued, and confident in their decisions.
But here’s what makes us different: we believe this applies to our agents, too.
Agents who feel heard, valued, and supported naturally extend that same experience to their clients.
How do we do that?
- Strengths-based coaching → We help agents lean into what makes them unique so they can build a business that fits them.
- Personalized support → We don’t leave agents on their own. We provide weekly, meaningful conversations to help them grow.
- A culture of respect → At Worthington, agents aren’t just a number—they’re professionals with their own goals, strengths, and expertise.
When you create a workplace where respect is real, commitment follows. And when agents feel supported, clients win.
Respect Starts With Being Interested, Not Just Interesting
Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in psychology, business consulting, and leadership development, is widely regarded as an expert in guiding organizations through turmoil and transition. In his book Just Listen, he puts it simply:
People don’t want to hear how great you are—they want to feel heard and understood.
This is the difference between a brokerage that positions itself as the hero versus one that acts as the guide.
At Worthington, we apply this principle in everything we do:
- For agents: We don’t make them part of our success story—we help them build theirs.
- For clients: We don’t just “sell houses.” We listen, guide, and help them make the best decisions for their future.
Real respect starts with genuinely being interested in the other person—not trying to make yourself look good.
That’s what makes a difference.
How Respect Translates to a Better Client Experience
Clients can tell when their agent is just trying to close a deal.
They can also tell when their agent genuinely cares.
The difference? Respect.
An agent who doesn’t feel respected by their brokerage often feels unsupported. They are pushed to prioritize transactions over relationships, focusing on short-term sales rather than long-term success. When a client shares a problem, the agent may hear only the surface-level concern and move straight to a transactional response, rather than considering what’s truly at stake for the client.
An agent who feels respected by their brokerage knows they are valued and supported—not just as a salesperson but as a professional building a lasting business. Their brokerage invests in their long-term success rather than just pushing transactions. When a client expresses a concern, the agent listens beyond the words, recognizing the deeper internal problem—whether it’s uncertainty about timing, fear of making the wrong decision, or the emotional weight of selling a family home. By acknowledging and addressing what’s really going on, the agent creates confidence, clarity, and a meaningful experience that builds trust far beyond a single transaction.
That’s why we put listening and understanding at the core of Worthington Realty. Because when people feel truly heard, they feel seen, valued, and respected. Respect isn’t just a principle—it’s the outcome of truly listening, recognizing what matters to someone, and showing that they are valued.
Choose a Brokerage That Values You
For agents: If you’re tired of feeling like just another number, Worthington Realty is different.
- We listen. We support. We help you build a career that fits who you are.
- Respect shouldn’t be rare. If you’re ready to work in a place where you’re seen, valued, and supported—not just as an agent, but as a person—let’s talk. Find out more about Joining Our Team here.
For clients: Your agent’s experience affects yours.
- When a brokerage truly respects an agent, they invest in their success—not just in closing more deals, but in helping them build something lasting. And when an agent feels valued and supported, they make sure you feel heard, valued, and confident in your decisions.
- If you want to work with an agent who listens, guides, and truly cares, start here.
Because real estate is built on trust, and trust starts with feeling heard. When people feel respected, they make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and create lasting success. At Worthington Realty, we believe respect isn’t just given—it’s cultivated through listening, understanding, and being fully present for the people we serve.
If you’re looking for a brokerage that truly values and invests in you, let’s start a conversation. Contact us today to learn how Worthington Realty can support your success.
