Do I have to pay my leasing agent?

[Qina Cai]

I hired a leasing agent to help me to find tenants. But he is not doing a great job. I am considering to do it by myself. However, I signed a Lease Listing Agreement with him with an expiry date by the end of Jan. If by any chance I find a tenant by myself before end of Jan, but not through the leasing agent, do I still have to pay for the leasing agent?