In Jamaica’s fast-paced real estate landscape, collaboration often fuels success. Agents frequently unite under one developer to market and sell units on major projects. Such arrangements can transform competitors into teammates and strangers into close colleagues. But when trust is broken within that dynamic, the emotional and professional fallout can be profound.
This piece explores how realtors can cope when a colleague undermines a client relationship—particularly when both individuals work for the same developer or agency. It offers perspectives that help professionals handle betrayal without losing their integrity or peace of mind.
The Situation Many Agents Don’t Talk About
Imagine this: a group of agents working together on a groundbreaking development. Everyone agrees on shared principles—especially the understanding that whoever invites a client owns that relationship. It’s an unspoken rule of respect that underpins collaboration in Jamaica’s real estate community.
Then, somewhere along the way, one team member crosses that line. They quietly approach a client brought in by someone else, closing a deal behind the scenes. Later, they justify it with a familiar phrase:
“No client belongs to anyone—it’s fair game.”
That moment changes everything. What was once a partnership becomes a source of tension. Trust evaporates, and professionalism is put to the test.
As a Realtor
Professionally, this scenario represents a serious breach of ethical conduct—if not always a formal one. In Jamaica’s real estate industry, where collaboration on major developments is common, respect for another agent’s client relationships is considered sacred.
When one realtor takes advantage of access to a colleague’s client, it amounts to client poaching, even if cloaked in “fair game” language. The distinction between shared opportunity and unethical interference lies in the context. Agents don’t just “find” buyers; they cultivate relationships, build trust, and introduce clients to developers through their personal networks and expertise. That effort carries value, both tangible and moral.
The best professional response is measured and evidence-based, not emotional. Realtors facing this kind of betrayal should:
- Document everything — keep records of communications, meeting notes, and proof of client introductions.
- Communicate calmly with the developer or management, clarifying who brought the client and what was agreed upon.
- Assert contribution professionally, requesting fair recognition or commission consideration where appropriate.
In some brokerages or developer partnerships, such documentation can support claims for a commission split or referral credit.
Even when financial restitution isn’t possible, preserving a reputation for integrity is invaluable. Real estate in Jamaica is a small world—agents who consistently demonstrate honesty, transparency, and fairness become trusted long-term partners for developers and clients alike.
As a Friend and Colleague
The emotional impact often cuts deeper than the financial loss. Betrayal by a colleague—especially one considered a friend—can feel personal. Friendship in business depends on mutual loyalty, trust, and shared values. When those are violated, it challenges one’s sense of judgment and belonging.
It’s normal to feel hurt or disillusioned. But the most powerful response is restraint and professionalism. Resist the urge to retaliate or gossip. Instead:
- Maintain composure and dignity in every interaction.
- Allow distance to form naturally where trust has been broken.
- Let your restraint, not retaliation, define you.
In Jamaica’s close-knit real estate community, word travels fast. Colleagues observe not just what happens to you, but how you handle it. Grace under fire is remembered longer than anger in the moment.
As a Parent or Person with Responsibilities
For many professionals, real estate isn’t just a job—it’s a livelihood. A lost deal can affect family stability, children’s education, and future financial security. Betrayal under those circumstances feels not just unfair but threatening.
Yet these moments can also become powerful lessons in resilience and principle. Integrity, even when it costs something, remains one of the most enduring assets a person can hold. For parents, it becomes a living example for their children that doing what’s right outweighs short-term gain.
Professionally, this is also the moment to strengthen business systems:
- Use client registration forms to clearly establish representation.
- Formalise agreements with written confirmation rather than verbal trust.
- Track leads systematically—date introductions, keep client correspondence, and maintain digital records.
These steps not only protect your interests but reinforce a culture of accountability. The experience, while painful, becomes a refining process that strengthens professional maturity.
As a Christian (or Person of Faith)
For those who live by faith, betrayal carries spiritual implications as well as emotional ones. It tests patience, forgiveness, and moral courage. The natural response might be anger or the desire for justice—but faith often calls for a higher path.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean accepting wrongdoing or pretending it didn’t happen. It means releasing the bitterness that would otherwise linger and corrupt the spirit. One can forgive without forgetting, and show grace without restoring misplaced trust.
As Proverbs 22:1 reminds us,
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”
When dealing with unethical behaviour in business, faith-based strength offers perspective. God sees the heart and motives behind actions. The focus should be on maintaining one’s own integrity, knowing that divine justice often works quietly but surely.
Ethical Considerations and Professional Conduct
The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) has established a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice that outlines key expectations for members. These include obligations to:
- Promote and protect clients’ interests.
- Treat all parties honestly.
- Maintain professional integrity and avoid deceptive conduct.
- Uphold the reputation of the real estate profession.
While the RAJ Code doesn’t explicitly address “client poaching” between agents working under the same developer, the spirit of the Code clearly discourages any action that undermines honesty, fairness, or mutual respect within the profession.
A realtor who bypasses a colleague’s client relationship, particularly in a shared-agency environment, may not breach a specific clause—but the behaviour contradicts the ethical ideals of professional courtesy and collaboration. It weakens collective trust, damages reputations, and ultimately harms the profession’s credibility in the eyes of the public.
Moving Forward: When You Still Have to Work Together
One of the hardest realities of such a situation is when both agents remain under the same roof—perhaps at the same brokerage, or on another joint project. Avoidance may not be an option, so moving forward requires strategy, discipline, and emotional maturity.
Here are key steps to help navigate this dynamic:
1. Have a Calm, Direct Conversation
Avoid confrontation in public or emotional moments. Request a private discussion and express your thoughts respectfully:
“There seems to have been a misunderstanding regarding our client interactions. I’d like to ensure we have clear professional boundaries moving forward.”
Keeping the conversation calm and factual reinforces professionalism, even if resolution isn’t immediate.
2. Set Clear Future Boundaries
Formalise client ownership processes within the agency or developer team. Use documented lead lists, timestamps, and written confirmations to avoid ambiguity. Ensure everyone understands who introduced which client, and under what conditions collaboration may occur.
3. Involve Leadership If Needed
If internal conflict persists, raise the issue discreetly with management. Rather than seeking punishment, request that leadership establish or clarify policy guidelines to prevent future misunderstandings.
4. Maintain Professional Distance
You don’t have to restore friendship to work professionally. Treat the colleague with politeness and respect, but remove emotional attachment. Keep communication focused on business only, and never share client details unnecessarily.
5. Refocus Energy on Growth
Redirect focus toward building new relationships and strengthening your own client base. Integrity naturally attracts quality clients. Over time, the agents who play fair stand out, while those who don’t earn reputations that limit their opportunities.
6. Heal and Reflect
Whether through prayer, counselling, journaling, or quiet reflection, take time to release the emotional weight. Carrying resentment will only cloud your future dealings. Healing restores focus and peace—two essentials in a people-driven business like real estate.
Final Reflection: Rising Above “Fair Game”
In every professional journey, there comes a moment when integrity is tested. It might not happen in public, but it happens—and how one responds defines more than any award or commission ever could.
When someone justifies unethical conduct by saying “no client belongs to anyone,” remember this: clients may not belong to anyone, but trust does. Respect for another’s effort is not about ownership; it’s about honour.
The real estate industry in Jamaica, like anywhere else, thrives on relationships—among clients, developers, and agents. When one person undermines that fabric, everyone feels the ripple. But the antidote isn’t revenge; it’s steadfast professionalism.
If you ever find yourself in such a situation, let your actions be the loudest answer. Protect your peace, learn from the experience, and continue to operate with transparency and grace. In the end, your greatest asset isn’t the commission you lost—it’s the reputation you keep.
Closing Thought
In real estate—and in life—betrayal is temporary, but character is permanent.
The deal may have been lost, but your name remains intact.
And that, in the long run, is worth far more than any cheque.