Very few people are content to do exactly what they are doing right now for their rest of their working life. Talented and engaged assistants need opportunities to learn, grow and make more money. If your assistant feels like they are in a dead-end job you may eventually find yourself without an assistant or at least an unhappy and underperforming one.
Solution: There are two factors to consider when developing a career path for your assistant. 1) Your goals for your business and 2) Your assistant’s goals for their career.
Talk to your assistant; understand their goals and priorities and discuss yours. Create a plan in which both of your goals are met.
You may find that your priorities are not aligned. This doesn’t always spell the end to the relationship. For example, you may be happy with the size of your business and not want to grow any larger. If your assistant wants continued growth and challenges then you may want to offer them the opportunity to bring in their own deals, or if they don’t want to be in sales perhaps you can introduce them to other agents you trust who need part time or project help. Your assistant may enjoy the opportunity to help a newer agent set up their office and to make a little extra money.