August 12, 2025

Episode 158: Building a Team That Runs Without You with Brian Buckley

36 minutes

Some teams reach a point where the leader can step out of production without losing momentum. That usually takes years, but in under five, Brian Buckley grew his team from just a few agents to 35 and positioned himself to focus solely on building the business.

From his background in construction and development to leading one of the top teams at his brokerage, Brian has made systems, culture, and accountability non-negotiables. He put platforms like Sisu, Follow Up Boss, and Battr in place early, not after growth happened, but to drive it. “If I can control mortgage, title, and everything that can blow up a deal, I’ve got a much higher chance of getting it to the finish line,” says Brian.

In this episode, Brian Charlesworth talks with Brian about building a team that can scale without the leader in production, why controlling the client experience matters, and how data-driven coaching can turn weaknesses into wins.

Culture plays a big role in how his team runs. He calls out toxic behavior quickly, encourages daily “win of the day” updates, and makes sure agents back each other up without ego. Performance data is visible in the office for everyone to see, creating a natural level of ownership. “My job is technology and leads. Your job is closing deals and building our brand forward-facing,” he explains.

That clarity has fueled growth, along with smart recruiting. Brian openly shares what works in the brokerage community, believing that value given comes back in results. Moving into Zillow Flex and integrating Battr for automated follow-ups has helped keep leads from slipping away while freeing him from daily chasing.

Top Takeaways:

(1:27) Sisu as a growth driver from day one

(4:22) Why experienced agents return to teams

(6:45) Cutting toxicity and building real teamwork

(8:34) Recruiting by sharing what works

(11:35) Controlling the process to close more deals

(16:26) Treating agents like partners

(17:34) Coaching agents into ownership

(19:36) Using automation to boost follow-up

(23:50) Lower costs, higher ROI with the right tools

(27:08) Turning “bad” leads into closings

(30:05) Winning deals with smart concessions

(31:51) Skiing adventures beyond real estate

Listen in to learn how to scale a real estate business with systems, protect culture as you grow, and free yourself from the day-to-day without losing momentum.

About Brian Buckley

Brian M. Buckley is with LoKation Real Estate in Pompano Beach, FL, and has worked in real estate for over 25 years across Georgia and South Florida. He studied Communications and Advertising at the University of Georgia before moving into residential home building and commercial real estate.

Today, he focuses on helping clients with their home buying needs and draws on decades of industry experience. Outside of work, Brian enjoys snow skiing, scuba diving, and spending time in Lake Tahoe with his fiancée Terra and their dog Jennifur.

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By Brian Charlesworth, Sisu

4.6

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