They work harder, I wouldn't say they work smarter because it takes a specific personality to do exceptional in this business.  Personality matters.

Smarter defiantly

I am finding it is harder and harder to really rank who is #1.  I have seen a "team" of agents sell 2X as much as me.  Saw HUD-1 on the last closing, and he made 1/3 the commission I did, and that was before he split it with his minions.   What they sell and what they make, can be two different things for those with teams.  For the ones that hit the numbers, consistently seems to me they do it by a combination of hard smart work.

Good morning Paul.  I believe they balance both therefore getting the best of both worlds. 

The number 1, 2 and 3 agents (teams are not agents)  have 20 times more business than those not yet as successful.

They clearly work HARDER managing 20 times more business.

Do they work harder on each transaction would be very difficult to determine from a position outside of their organization.

We all want to believe they work 'smarter' and the super star would provide anecdotal information to support the same conclusion.

Like all those who reach the pinnacle of their craft, they make it look easy.

It's just Debbie and I and we say work smarter.

Good morning Paul. I have some powerhouse loan officers working for me, all of them literally run their own referral based business and all work very smart.

Good morning Paul. I think they do both. They are focused on what they do.

Both.. With more results it takes more focus and time. That is why they are successful. 

I'd say, both Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington . That team really works hard and smart, too.

I think we do a combination of both. In an extremely rural area with a lot of competition, you have to work hard and smart. 

Harder!  LOL

Smarter, for sure

As for loan officers, I absolutely think it's a combination of both. Harder - the successful LOs are the first in and last out. They go above and beyond expectations of their clients as well as furthering their knowledge on a daily basis. Smarter - Your success isn't just based on the time you put into your work, rather the method you use to reach your goals and to get results. Utilizing technology is certainly a large part of this as well as delegating tasks when needed. Trusting your team and company allows you to spend more time focusing on your actual job, whether that be originating, or selling real estate.

A little of both. 

Maybe a little of both, but harder for sure.

Many of the heavy hitters have assistants, and know they are spending time where it makes sense, not doing paperwork.

Most of them work more hours, and focus more on the tasks that produce business.

The longer they've been at it I watch a transition from smarter to harder as the competition nips at the heels. Today it's technology then personality that continue to wax and wane with the more successful associates cycles. 

Our agents mostly work smarter, by utilizing the latest technology, being extremely organized and constantly learning. I think "hard work" is part of this equation. 

Door #2

I'm sure they work hard, and most of them have assistants, buyer agents, closing coordinators, etc, so they HAVE to work hard to support all of those people.  In the past I have seen some very top producers who hit hard times either with their health or business relationships and declare bankruptcy, or in one lady's case, die broke.  You have to work smart. 

Definitely SMARTER!

Smarter.

ha....always working smarter....and having more time to add more business....

I believe in systems.  It does take time (hard work) to set up the systems correctly without sounding like canned responses.  I am constantly proofing my systems to better them, streamline, and be accurate.  Yes, I work hard and smart. :)