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Research Report

March 2026

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KCRR 2026 March (2.26 MB)

Incentives in Sales Teams: Utilizing Collaboration or Competition? Or Both?
Homburg, Christian; Schyma, Theresa R.; Hohenberg, Sebastian; Atefi, Yahsar; Ruhnau, Robin-Christopher M.

Salespeople spend hours each week seeking advice—but in competitive environments, that advice isn’t always freely given or equally helpful. This research reveals how individual and team incentives quietly shape who seeks advice, who shares it, and when it actually improves performance. Drawing on data from hundreds of salespeople, our findings expose a paradox: incentives designed to motivate success can unintentionally limit collaboration, which is a critical component of sales success.

Management, Financials
The Loud Impact of a Quiet Ego: From Listing to “Listen”-ing
Gilbert, Jonathan Ross; Krush, Michael; Trainor, Kevin J.; Wayment, Heidi A.

In a real estate world reshaped by technology and empowered consumers, technical skill alone is no longer enough to drive sales. This research shows how cultivating a “quiet ego”—balancing confidence with empathy and deep listening—helps agents adapt, build trust, and perform better in complex markets. Drawing on positive psychology and data from hundreds of sales professionals, the article reveals why quieter egos activate more effective, adaptive selling behaviors. 

Customer Relations, Marketing and Sales, Service
Rethinking the Close: Building Trust, Not Pressure
Arndt, Aaron D.; Epler, Rhett; Evans, Kenneth; Ashouri, Sama

Closing doesn’t have to feel pushy—and research shows it actually strengthens relationships when done right. This study draws on real sales interactions to challenge long-standing myths about rapport-only meetings and outdated closing “tactics.” The findings reveal that effective closing unfolds in phases, builds trust, and increases customer commitment. For real estate agents, the message is simple: closing isn’t pressure, it’s progress.

Marketing and Sales, Customer Relations
Marketing With AI: Unlocking New Paradigms
Pagani, Margherita; Wind, Yoram

When does AI actually make marketing more creative, and when does it fall flat? This research examines evidence from creative professionals and thousands of AI systems to show what really works. The takeaway: creativity improves when the right kind of AI is paired with the right task and guided by human judgment. For real estate marketers looking to move faster without losing originality, this framework offers a clear, practical playbook.

Technology, Marketing and Sales
Turning Thoughts into Action through Mental Simulation
Ceylan, Gizem; Diehl, Kristin; Wood, Wendy

Imagine your customers walking through their dream home before it even exists. Our research shows that mental simulation, the act of vividly imagining experiences, can boost consumer action by up to 34% when done strategically. From pairing descriptive language with visuals to using immersive technology, real estate marketers can turn imagination into action. Discover how understanding the psychology of “seeing it before living it” can give your listings a competitive edge.

Marketing and Sales, Lead Generation
INSIDER: Slow Productivity
Lalchandani, Kashvi

Being busy doesn't equal being productive, and busyness may be costing you more than you think. This article unpacks Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity and explains how how doing fewer things, working at a sustainable pace, and obsessing over quality can lead to better results and less burnout. With practical takeaways for real estate agents, this INSIDER offers a refreshing alternative to hustle culture and a smarter path to long-term success.

Insider
INSIDER: Buy Back Your Time
Oralusi, Teniola

Feeling buried by work and running on empty? This INSIDER examines key ideas from Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, offering practical strategies to delegate, automate, and eliminate low-value tasks so you can scale your business without burnout. It’s a must-read for high achievers in real estate who want success that doesn’t come at the cost of their health, relationships, or freedom.

Insider

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