Why Great Employees Leave Insurance Agencies (It’s Not Just the Money)

Send us Fan Mail Why do great employees leave insurance agencies? More money? Maybe. But often, that's not where the problem started. In this episode of The Modern Insurance Agent Podcast, David Denning sits down with Wes Love, co-founder of Culture Stoke and author of Culture Catalyst, to explore insurance agency culture, employee retention, recruiting, leadership, and why great people choose to stay or leave. West's message is simple: You're going to have a culture whether you intentionally build one or not. The question is whether you're designing it or letting it happen by default. What You'll Learn Why insurance agency culture affects recruiting and employee retention Why great employees may leave despite good compensation The better question to ask during an exit interview How role clarity and psychological safety impact performance Why hiring for skills alone can create culture problems What “culture fit” should actually mean How to build culture across 1099 agents and W-2 employees Why remote work doesn't prevent great culture How trust, communication, and outcomes shape remote teams Why your employees won't care about your business as much as you do and why that's okay How to create a team that cares about the work, the people, and the mission Why culture can become a competitive advantage competitors can't easily copy Culture Is Built in the Everyday Culture isn't the ping-pong table, company retreat, or saying “We're like a family.” It's how your team communicates, handles mistakes, solves problems, treats clients, and responds when things get difficult. And when someone leaves, don't only ask: “What did the other company offer you?” Ask: “What made you start looking in the first place?” That answer can reveal the real issues inside your agency. West also shares lessons from Muay Thai, leadership, and continuous improvement, including a principle that applies to building a strong team: Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. If you're an insurance agency owner, team leader, sales manager, FMO, IMO, or insurance entrepreneur looking to recruit better people, reduce turnover, retain top talent, lead remote teams, and build a scalable insurance business, this conversation is for you. Connect with Us: 🔗Download the resources & access the full podcast library – jumpstartgonow.com/podcast Join the Movement of Modern Insurance Agents! Ready to become the agent clients trust and refer to their friends? Start by building your personal brand, using social media effectively, and prioritizing relationships over transactions. Let’s change the way people see insurance one client at a time! 🚀 📢 Join the discussion! Connect with like-minded agents and get exclusive marketing tips in the Marketing for Insurance Agents Facebook Group. jumpstartgonow.com/join-group