[powerpress]

When Kristen Porter launched O*NO Legal, she almost didn’t go through with it.

The world was shutting down, uncertainty was everywhere, and starting a new business seemed like a huge risk.

But what looked like terrible timing turned out to be the perfect opportunity.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations with host Leanne Pilkington, Kristen shares how she built a new type of law firm that offers real estate professionals flexible legal solutions, plain English advice, and a new approach to compliance.

She also reveals her secrets to scaling a business, setting strong boundaries, and embracing AI while keeping the human touch.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to navigate challenges, build smarter systems, and future-proof your business, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Stop asking ‘How do I do this?’ and start asking ‘Who can help me do this?’ Delegation is the key to scaling any business.” – Kristen Porter

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. How COVID-19 unexpectedly benefited Kristen’s virtual legal service model
   Timestamp: 1-minute
   
2. The origin story behind the name “O*NO Legal”
   Timestamp: 2-minutes

3. How Kristen’s guided DIY approach makes legal services more accessible
   Timestamp: 4-minutes

4. The innovative “traffic light system” for simplifying legal advice
   Timestamp: 6-minutes

5. Kristen’s journey from marketing student to legal entrepreneur
   Timestamp: 7-minutes

6. The importance of documentation and procedures for business growth
   Timestamp: 9-minutes

7. How a six-week European holiday forced team independence
   Timestamp: 10-minutes

8. The challenge of letting go as a “perfectionist control freak”
   Timestamp: 10-minutes

9. Kristen’s strategic approach to AI implementation in legal services
   Timestamp: 12-minutes

10. Future plans for O*NO Legal’s membership model focusing on HR and compliance
    Timestamp: 15-minutes

Links

LinkedIn
O*NO Legal
Zenovate Marketing IG

Detailed Episode Guide

This episode of Courageous Conversations is hosted by Leanne Pilkington, who welcomes Kristen Porter, founder of O*NO Legal. The two have a history, having both worked with Lang and Simmons in previous roles before embarking on their respective ownership journeys around the same time.

The Birth of O*NO Legal
Kristen launched her firm in March 2020, just as COVID-19 was beginning to reshape the world. What might have seemed like terrible timing turned out to be fortuitous. As Kristen explains, the pandemic accelerated the acceptance of virtual meetings, eliminating the need for physical offices and in-person consultations. This shift perfectly aligned with her vision for a more accessible legal service model.

The name “O*NO Legal” originated from a day when multiple executives and agents came to Kristen with problems they needed fixed, prompting her to repeatedly exclaim “Oh no!” The name stuck, reflecting the firm’s personality and brand attribute of not taking life too seriously while helping clients avoid their own “Oh no” moments of regret.

Reimagining Legal Services for Real Estate Professionals
Kristen identified a significant gap in the legal services market, particularly for real estate professionals. Traditional law firms often dictate service delivery through hourly rates or fixed packages, leaving clients with little choice and sometimes surprising bills.

O*NO Legal’s innovative approach allows clients to choose their level of service, including a guided DIY option at a lower price point. This model makes quality legal advice accessible to smaller businesses with limited budgets, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to handle certain legal matters themselves.

Clear Communication: The Traffic Light System
One of O*NO Legal’s most distinctive features is its communication style. Kristen has developed a straightforward approach that provides clear “yes or no” answers followed by more detailed explanations if needed. For contract reviews, the firm uses a traffic light system with colour-coded sections that allow clients to quickly identify critical issues (red), potential concerns (orange), and acceptable terms (green).

This approach stems from Kristen’s own experience as a client, recognising that real estate professionals typically want direct answers without wading through pages of legal jargon. As Leanne notes, this clarity is refreshing compared to traditional verbose legal communications.

From Marketing to Law: A Dual Passion
Kristen’s journey began with a marketing degree before her mother suggested law might be a good fit. This dual background has influenced her unique approach to legal services and led to her latest venture, Zenovate Marketing, which will provide marketing services to professional service businesses.

Her marketing expertise is evident in O*NO Legal’s distinctive brand presence, which stands out from traditional law firms. Encouraged by a business coach to “unleash her personality” in her marketing, Kristen has created a memorable brand that reflects her approachable style.

Learning to Let Go: The Path to Scalable Growth
When asked about what she would do differently, Kristen highlights two key lessons: clearer messaging about the full range of services offered and earlier delegation through documented systems and processes.

The turning point came when Kristen took a six-week European holiday, forcing her team to operate independently. This experience taught her the importance of creating comprehensive documentation and establishing boundaries that prevented team members from defaulting to asking her for answers.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect was resisting the urge to critique different approaches when she returned. As Kristen explains, “Just because someone did something slightly different to the way I did it, I wasn’t to comment… If everything was fine, it just wasn’t exactly how I did it, don’t comment on it. Congratulate them because next time I take leave, if I came in and ripped everything apart, no one would make a decision ever again.”

Embracing AI While Maintaining the Human Element
O*NO Legal is strategically implementing AI in its operations, primarily in marketing functions currently. Kristen emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with human oversight: “I think we have to be embracing AI, but we cannot remove the human element. You can tell if AI has written something and someone hasn’t come over the top of it.”

For legal services specifically, Kristen notes additional considerations around privacy, confidentiality, and legal privilege that require careful implementation. The firm is exploring AI applications for due diligence tools that could analyse management agreements for consistency and compliance.

Future Vision: Expanding Membership Services
Looking ahead, Kristen is focused on stabilising after 64% growth last year before embarking on the next phase of expansion. A key priority is enhancing O*NO Legal’s membership offering to create an “irresistible offer” that includes HR support and guidance on upcoming regulatory changes such as anti-money laundering rules and privacy law reforms.

This membership model aims to provide small real estate businesses with compliance support without needing to employ dedicated compliance personnel—a timely solution as regulatory requirements increase.

Summary
Kristen Porter’s journey with O*NO Legal exemplifies how innovative thinking can transform traditional service models. By combining legal expertise with marketing savvy and a client-centred approach, she has created a firm that makes quality legal advice more accessible to real estate professionals.

Her willingness to embrace technology while maintaining the essential human element positions O*NO Legal at the forefront of legal service innovation. As regulatory requirements continue to evolve, Kristen’s vision for comprehensive, accessible compliance support through an enhanced membership model offers a valuable solution for real estate businesses navigating increasingly complex legal landscapes.

FAQ for Episode with Kristen Porter

1. Who is Kristen Porter?
Kristen Porter is the founder of O*NO Legal, a law firm specialising in real estate legal services, and the newly launched Zenovate Marketing. She has a background in both marketing and law and previously worked as legal counsel for the owners of Lang and Simmons.

2. When did Kristen launch O*NO Legal?
Kristen launched O*NO Legal in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Despite initial concerns about the timing, the pandemic actually benefited her business model by normalising virtual meetings with legal advisors.

3. Where did the name “O*NO Legal” come from?
The name originated from Kristen repeatedly saying “Oh no!” when executives and agents would come to her with problems they needed fixed. The name stuck as it reflected the firm’s personality and its mission to help clients avoid their own “Oh no” moments of regret.

4. What makes O*NO Legal different from traditional law firms?
O*NO Legal allows clients to choose their level of service, including a guided DIY option at a lower price point. They also use plain English communication with a “yes/no” format followed by detailed explanations if needed and a traffic light system for contract reviews that colour-codes issues by severity.

5. How does Kristen approach delegation and business growth?
Kristen learned to document processes and procedures, often through videos, to enable team independence. A pivotal moment was taking a six-week European holiday, which forced her team to operate without her immediate guidance. She also emphasises the importance of not criticising different approaches when they achieve the desired outcome.

6. How is O*NO Legal implementing AI in its operations?
Currently, AI is primarily used in marketing functions. For legal services, the firm is exploring applications like due diligence tools that could analyse management agreements for consistency and compliance while being mindful of privacy, confidentiality, and legal privilege considerations.

7. What is Zenovate Marketing?
Zenovate Marketing is Kristen’s newly launched business that provides marketing services to professional service businesses, leveraging her background and passion for marketing.

8. What are Kristen’s plans for O*NO Legal’s membership model?
Kristen plans to enhance the membership offering to include HR support and guidance on upcoming regulatory changes such as anti-money laundering rules and privacy law reforms. This aims to provide small real estate businesses with compliance support without needing to employ dedicated compliance personnel.

9. How has Kristen’s background in marketing influenced her approach to legal services?
Her marketing background has influenced O*NO Legal’s distinctive brand presence and communication style. It has also led to her latest venture, Zenovate Marketing, and informs her strategic approach to growing both businesses.

10. What growth has O*NO Legal experienced?
Kristen mentioned that O*NO Legal grew by 64% last year. She is currently focused on stabilising after this growth period before embarking on the next phase of expansion, particularly enhancing the membership offering.

The post How Kristen Porter Built A Different Kind Of Real Estate Law Firm appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

After a successful 13-year career in real estate sales, Angela Avgerinos made the unexpected decision to step away at the peak of her career. Rather than chasing greater success, she chose a different path—empowering other agents from the sidelines.

In a deeply personal episode of Courageous Conversations with host Leanne Pilkington, Angela shares her journey from successful agent to corporate leader.

Angela also discusses her difficult decision to prioritise family before transitioning to corporate leadership.

Her journey took a further unexpected turn when she discovered a lump shortly after joining Laing+Simmons—leading to a cancer diagnosis that would test her resilience and transform her perspective on life and work.

“Sometimes the best opportunities come from the hardest decisions.” – Angela Avgerinos

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. How Angela’s 30-year real estate career evolved from reception to sales to corporate leadership
   Timestamp: 01:48
   
2. The challenges of balancing a successful sales career with family responsibilities
   Timestamp: 03:09
   
3. Why Angela made the difficult decision to leave sales when things were going well
   Timestamp: 03:45
   
4. How Angela discovered a lump in her breast shortly after joining Laing+Simmons
   Timestamp: 07:45
   
5. Angela’s initial reluctance to seek medical attention and how Leanne’s persistence made a difference
   Timestamp: 08:15
   
6. The rapid progression from diagnosis to treatment and the impact on Angela’s life
   Timestamp: 11:45
   
7. The overwhelming support Angela received from the Laing+Simmons network during treatment
   Timestamp: 13:15
   
8. How Angela struggled with her changing appearance during cancer treatment
   Timestamp: 14:30
   
9. The importance of consistency and prospecting in real estate success
   Timestamp: 17:45
   
10. Angela’s current health status and a renewed perspective on life and business
    Timestamp: 19:45

Links

Laing+Simmons
LinkedIn

Detailed Episode Guide

This episode is part of the Courageous Conversations series, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Angela Avgerinos, Network Performance Manager at Laing+Simmons, shares her professional journey and personal health battle.

A 30-Year Career Journey in Real Estate
Angela Avgerinos has accumulated 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, working across various roles from reception to sales and now corporate leadership. She emphasises the value of starting at the front desk and working your way up, noting that many successful business owners—particularly women—began their careers in administrative roles. This career progression provides a comprehensive understanding of the industry that proves invaluable in leadership positions.

The Difficult Decision to Step Away from Sales
Despite finding success as a sales agent with 13 years of active selling experience, Angela made the difficult decision to leave this role to prioritise her family. She shares the challenge of finding balance as a working mother and acknowledges that “sometimes giving up when things are great is probably the best time and also not the easiest thing to accept.” This courageous choice led her to corporate roles where she could support others’ success from the sidelines, something she found immensely fulfilling.

Facing a Health Crisis
Shortly after joining Laing+Simmons in March, Angela discovered a lump in her breast. Despite knowing the importance of early detection, she initially avoided getting tested—a decision she now recognises as “silly.” Leanne’s persistent encouragement, including strategically seating Angela next to a breast cancer survivor at an event, eventually convinced her to seek medical attention.

When Angela received her diagnosis on April 6th, her life changed dramatically. Within 48 hours of the call, she was sitting in a treatment chair, beginning chemotherapy. The experience taught her about a different kind of strength—one that emerges when you have to “dig deep” through difficult circumstances.

Finding Support in Unexpected Places
One of the most touching aspects of Angela’s story is the overwhelming support she received from the Laing+Simmons network despite having met only a fraction of the franchise owners before her diagnosis. For nearly 40 days, she received daily deliveries and personalised gifts. Franchise owners reached out, with one even dedicating a cancer charity ride to her. This outpouring of love gave her strength during a challenging time.

Identity, Appearance, and Acceptance
Angela speaks candidly about her struggle with losing her hair during treatment, describing it as a loss of identity. As someone who prided herself on her thick, beautiful hair, this change was particularly difficult. In a characteristic attempt to maintain control, she purchased a wig before treatment even began—though she ultimately didn’t wear it.

With humour, she notes the irony that her naturally grey hair is now growing back dark, an unexpected silver lining. This experience has taught her to accept things she cannot control and find strength in vulnerability.

Lessons for Real Estate Professionals
Throughout the conversation, Angela offers valuable insights for real estate professionals. She emphasises the importance of consistency in prospecting, noting that successful agents “never drop the ball.” She cautions against letting ego interfere with the consistent work required for ongoing success, observing that many agents fail to achieve their goals simply because they’re “not on their A-game.”

Angela encourages listeners not to wait for a life-altering event to make positive changes in their business and personal lives. She also highlights the importance of seeking help when facing challenges, reminding everyone that “there’s always someone who’s been through it.”

A New Perspective
Today, Angela is doing well and continuing maintenance treatment with a positive outlook. Her recent trip to Dubai proved to her that she was “making excuses” about her fitness and capabilities post-treatment. Walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily in 40-degree heat showed her she was stronger than she thought.

Her experience has reinforced the importance of pushing through difficulties, whether in health or business. As she points out, anything worth being proud of is difficult—”the things that come easy don’t make you proud.”

Summary
Angela Avgerinos’ journey demonstrates the power of resilience, vulnerability, and community support in overcoming life’s unexpected challenges. Her willingness to share her story openly provides valuable lessons about prioritising health, seeking help when needed, and maintaining consistency in business practices.

Her message to listeners is clear: don’t wait for a crisis to make positive changes in your life, be mindful of your health, and remember that the most significant growth often comes from facing our greatest challenges.

FAQ for Courageous Conversations with Angela Avgerinos

1. Who is Angela Avgerinos?
Angela Avgerinos is the Network Performance Manager at Laing+Simmons with 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. She previously worked as a sales agent for 13 years before transitioning to corporate roles.

2. What made Angela decide to leave her successful career in real estate sales?
Angela made the difficult decision to leave sales to prioritise her family, finding it challenging to balance her career with her responsibilities as a mother of two daughters.

3. When did Angela join Laing+Simmons?
Angela joined Laing+Simmons in March, approximately six months before this podcast was recorded.

4. What health challenge did Angela face shortly after joining Laing+Simmons?
Shortly after joining Laing+Simmons, Angela discovered a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

5. How did Leanne Pilkington help Angela during her health crisis?
Leanne persistently encouraged Angela to get tested after she mentioned finding a lump, even strategically seating her next to a breast cancer survivor at an event to provide additional encouragement.

6. How quickly did Angela begin treatment after her diagnosis?
Angela began treatment extremely quickly—she was sitting in a treatment chair receiving chemotherapy just 48 hours after receiving her diagnosis.

7. What kind of support did Angela receive from the Laing+Simmons network?
Despite having met only a small portion of the franchise owners, Angela received overwhelming support from the network, including nearly 40 days of deliveries and personalised gifts, messages of encouragement, and even a franchise owner dedicating a cancer charity ride to her.

8. What aspect of her cancer treatment did Angela find particularly challenging?
Angela found losing her hair particularly difficult as she considered it part of her identity. She noted that her naturally grey hair is now growing back dark after treatment.

9. What advice does Angela offer to real estate professionals about consistency?
Angela emphasises the importance of consistent prospecting, noting that successful agents never “drop the ball” even when they have active listings. She cautions against letting her ego interfere with the consistent work required for success.

10. What is Angela’s current health status?
Angela is doing well and continuing maintenance treatment with a positive outlook. She recently travelled to Dubai and discovered she was stronger than she thought, walking 8,000-10,000 steps daily in 40-degree heat.

The post Courage and Career Change: Angela Avgerinos’ Inspiring Journey appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Despite real estate agents’ skills and dedication, the profession remains among the least trusted.

What causes this perception, and how can it improve?

In the latest episode of Courageous Conversations, Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell speaks with Leanne Pilkington about building trust and improving industry standards.

She offers perspective on why the public often views agents with uncertainty, whether buyers or sellers contribute more to this perception, and how competition within the industry affects public opinion.

Lisa also discusses her experience as a female leader in real estate, the role of technology in the profession’s future, and what made her consider leaving the industry.

She also shares how an unexpected power outage at Barry Plant’s international conference in Barcelona became a test of leadership.

“If you ask anybody, ‘What do you think of real estate agents?’ They’ll roll their eyeballs. But if you ask them, ‘Do you have one that you use?’ They’ll go, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got Leanne. She’s amazing.’”

Essential Insights

Industry Trust and Disruption

• Real estate faces ongoing trust challenges – individual agents are often trusted, but industry reputation remains poor (05:00)
• Technology disruption is inevitable but the human element will remain important for handling stress of property transactions (06:00-07:00)
• AI tools should focus on low-value tasks rather than replacing core human relationships (09:00)
• Empathy and genuine human connection cannot be replicated by automated systems (09:00-10:00)

Leadership and Gender Equality

• Industry lacks pipeline of women ready for senior roles due to historical barriers (18:00-19:00)
• Gender pay disparity persists with questionable justifications for male dominance (19:00)
• Unconscious bias remains a challenge – “angry women” are viewed differently than “assertive men” (18:00)

Building Better Industry Culture

• Internal competition and negative behaviour between agents damages industry reputation (22:00)
• Restrictive practices like harsh restraints and litigation over staff movement need review (23:00)
• Success possible without ego – top performers can be humble and collaborative (25:00)

Future of Real Estate

• AI development is accelerating rapidly – the industry could look very different within a year (10:00-11:00)
• Technology should enhance rather than replace human service elements (08:00)
• Important to be transparent about AI use – avoid misleading practices like fake language capabilities (09:00)

Links

LinkedIn
Barry Plant Real Estate

Detailed Episode Guide

Introduction to Lisa Pennell
This episode features Lisa Pennell, CEO of Barry Plant, in conversation with host Leanne Pilkington. The discussion covers Lisa’s extensive career in real estate, from her early days in utility connections to her current leadership role at Barry Plant.

The Journey to Leadership
Lisa’s entry into real estate was unplanned, beginning with co-founding one of Australia’s first utility connection businesses. Her career path led her through various roles, including 20 years at Ray White, before taking the helm at Barry Plant.

Technology and Human Connection
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the role of technology in real estate’s future. Lisa emphasises that while AI and technology will continue to evolve, the human element remains crucial in real estate transactions.

“People want people. And in our industry, particularly because it’s so stressful, moving is so stressful… I can’t see how any sort of AI is going to replace that part.”

The Leadership Challenge
As one of the few female CEOs in real estate, Lisa discusses the importance of authentic leadership and the challenges faced by women in the industry. She highlights the need for more diversity in senior roles and the importance of developing future female leaders.

Building Trust in Real Estate
Lisa addresses the industry’s trust challenges, emphasising the need for transparency and ethical behaviour. She discusses how internal industry competition and negative behaviours can impact public perception and trust.

Creating Positive Culture
One of the most compelling aspects of the conversation is Lisa’s description of Barry Plant’s unique culture, particularly their approach to building strong relationships within their network through family-inclusive conferences and events.

Summary
Lisa Pennell’s interview provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate industry. Her perspective on leadership, diversity, and the importance of human connection offers a blueprint for positive industry change.

FAQ

Here are 10 FAQs for this episode of Courageous Conversations with Lisa Pennell:

1. Why do real estate agents struggle with public trust?
Lisa Pennell discusses how competition within the industry—particularly agents undermining each other—contributes to the public’s scepticism. She also highlights how buyer frustration plays a role in shaping the industry’s reputation.

2. What steps can the real estate industry take to improve trust?
Lisa believes trust can be built through professionalism, transparency, and fostering a culture of respect among agents and brands rather than internal competition and negativity.

3. How did Lisa Pennell get into real estate?
Lisa’s journey into real estate was unexpected. She co-founded Australia’s first utility connection business, which led to opportunities with Ray White, Loan Market, and later, executive roles in leading franchises.

4. What was Lisa’s biggest leadership challenge?
One of Lisa’s biggest tests came during Barry Plant’s overseas conference in Barcelona, when a sudden power outage forced 120 attendees to relocate hotels. She shares how quick decision-making and a strong team spirit turned a crisis into a bonding experience.

5. Why did Lisa almost leave the real estate industry?
Frustrated by the negativity and lack of trust in the industry, Lisa was ready to walk away. However, a conversation with Barry Plant’s then-CEO, Mike McCarthy, led her to reconsider, and she now feels at home leading the network.

6. How does Lisa view AI’s role in real estate?
Lisa believes AI will change real estate but won’t replace the human element. She argues that buying and selling property is too emotional and complex to be handled purely by technology.

7. What is Lisa’s take on female leadership in real estate?
Lisa highlights that while more women are reaching leadership roles, there’s still a missing rung in the career ladder. Without enough women progressing through the ranks, many companies struggle to find female candidates for senior positions.

8. How does Barry Plant’s company culture differ from other brands?
Lisa praises the strong sense of unity within Barry Plant, where offices work together rather than competing. Long-standing relationships, family-oriented events, and mutual respect set the group apart.

9. What advice does Lisa have for aspiring leaders in real estate?
Lisa emphasises resilience, emotional intelligence, and the importance of building strong relationships. She also encourages leaders to focus on solutions rather than getting caught up in industry negativity.

10. What excites Lisa most about the future of real estate?
Lisa is optimistic about the industry’s potential to evolve, especially with advancements in technology and a growing focus on professionalism. She’s particularly excited about fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation within Barry Plant and the industry as a whole.

The post The Trust Factor: What’s Really Disrupting Real Estate in 2025 appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

“If I get one more bloody real estate agent…”

According to Josh Horner, this comment kept appearing in Facebook groups from disgruntled homeowners.

As a former Dancing with the Stars judge and Broadway performer, he knew he wanted to take a different approach to stand out.

Drawing from his years at Disneyland studying guest behavior, Josh built The Horner Agency around a distinctive garden gnome logo and an authentic social media presence that connects with suburban families struggling with cost of living pressures.

His videos don’t just show properties – they tell stories that resonate with his target market: “suburban moms and dads.”

The results? While other agents’ social media gets obligatory “fire emojis” from colleagues, Josh’s content generates organic engagement from actual prospects tagging family members about properties.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations, host Leanne Pilkington explores how Josh’s entertainment background shaped his unconventional but effective approach to:

• Standing out in a crowded market
• Creating social content that actually engages potential clients
• Building an authentic personal brand
• Understanding and connecting with your target audience

Whether you’re tired of blending in with other agents or looking for fresh marketing approaches, this conversation offers practical insights on differentiating yourself in today’s market.

“I look at all of us real estate agents going in for listings and it’s like an audition for a show. All the competitors are there… How do you choose?”

10 key takeaways:

1. The transition from entertainment to real estate
   Timestamp: 4:00
   
2. Building a unique brand identity with the garden gnome
   Timestamp: 14:00
   
3. Navigating business ownership challenges
   Timestamp: 2:00
   
4. Creating authentic social media content
   Timestamp: 25:00
   
5. The importance of knowing your audience
   Timestamp: 28:00
   
6. Managing the business side of real estate
   Timestamp: 22:00
   
7. The story behind the “soul dance” celebrations
   Timestamp: 26:00
   
8. Balancing creativity with business operations
   Timestamp: 3:00
   
9. Goal setting and business growth strategies
   Timestamp: 17:00
   
10. Finding joy in real estate
    Timestamp: 29:00

Links:

• The Horner Agency
• Josh Horner on Instagram
• LinkedIn

Detailed Episode Guide

From Stage to Property Stage
Josh Horner’s journey began as a professional dancer with the Australian Ballet, performing in London’s West End and on Broadway. His transition to real estate came after a successful career in entertainment, including judging on Dancing with the Stars and choreographing for Disneyland.

Building a Unique Brand
One of Josh’s most distinctive branding choices is his garden gnome logo. This creative decision stemmed from his desire to stand out in a crowded market. The gnome, symbolising protection and home security in German folklore, has become his signature mark in the industry.

The Business Learning Curve
As a business owner, Josh candidly shares his struggles with the operational aspects of running a real estate agency. From supervision guidelines to financial management, he acknowledges the challenges of transitioning from sales agent to business owner.

Social Media Strategy
Josh’s approach to social media reflects his entertainment background. He creates content that balances professionalism with personality, including his signature “soul dances” after successful sales. His strategy focuses on authentic engagement rather than purely promotional content.

Finding Joy in Real Estate
Despite the challenges, Josh has found unexpected joy in real estate. His ability to help families achieve their property dreams while maintaining his creative spirit has allowed him to build a unique position in the market.

Summary
Josh Horner’s story is a testament to the power of authenticity in business. His journey from professional dancer to real estate agent demonstrates how transferable skills and genuine passion can create success in unexpected places.

FAQ: Josh Horner’s Journey from Broadway to Real Estate

Q: Who is Josh Horner?
A: Josh Horner is a former professional dancer, Broadway performer, and choreographer who transitioned into the real estate industry. He now runs his own real estate business, The Horner Agency, on the Central Coast of Australia.

Q: Why did Josh Horner leave a successful showbiz career for real estate?
A: After a celebrated dance and choreography career, Josh found himself at a crossroads. Returning home to Australia, he sought a new path that combined his creativity with a fresh challenge. Real estate provided the perfect avenue for him to apply his showbiz flair and connect with people in a meaningful way.

Q: What is the story behind The Horner Agency’s garden gnome logo?
A: Inspired by his Disneyland days and the symbolism of garden gnomes as protectors of the home, Josh chose the gnome as his logo to represent warmth, joy, and a sense of security for his clients. It also helps him stand out in a competitive market.

Q: How does Josh’s background in the arts influence his approach to real estate
A: Josh brings theatricality, creativity, and a focus on storytelling to his real estate business. From engaging social media content to personalised listing videos, his marketing approach is designed to create a strong emotional connection with clients and stand out from traditional tactics.

Q: What challenges has Josh faced as a real estate business owner?
A: Josh candidly shares the ups and downs of running his own agency, from grappling with legislation and financial management to balancing his love for client interaction with operational demands. He continues to navigate these challenges with resilience and creativity.

Q: What advice does Josh have for others considering bold career changes?
A: Josh’s motto is to “be courageous” and embrace new opportunities, even if they seem daunting. He believes in focusing on joy, authenticity, and connecting with people, regardless of the industry you’re in.

The post From Dancing with the Stars to Real Estate: How Entertainment Skills Created a “Standout Brand” appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

This week’s episode of Courageous Conversations takes us to Cairns, where Michelle Champion—Director of Champions in Real Estate—shares how she went from a 17-year-old receptionist to leading one of the top-performing agencies in her region.

Alongside host Leanne Pilkington, Michelle dives into the ups, downs, and occasional chaos of building a thriving business while juggling motherhood and a relentless market. Spoiler: she seems to have mastered the art of doing it all—without doing everything herself.

Michelle shares on what it’s like to run a paperless, automation-driven agency in an industry still warming up to innovation. From managing a team of 12 to her “non-negotiable” weekly one-on-ones, she’s got a refreshingly practical take on leadership and work-life balance. There’s also a surprising revelation by ice baths, and how they’ve helped her and her team tackle stress like pros.

Curious how Michelle stays calm under pressure and why she’s so passionate about empowering women in real estate? Tune in to find out.

“Any task you can think of, I’ve automated.” – Michelle Champion.

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. [02:00] Early Days in Real Estate

Michelle shares how starting as a receptionist gave her a unique edge in her career: “You learn so much—who’s rude to clients, who’s doing what—you’ve got eyes on every part of the business.”

2. [05:00] Starting Champions in Real Estate

How Michelle and her husband decided to break away from a ready-made agency to start their own innovative real estate business in Cairns.

3. [06:00] Paperless from Day One

Michelle explains how going digital in a market that wasn’t ready for it helped her agency stand out: “We were paperless from day one, which was unheard of in Cairns.”

4. [07:00] Building a High-Performing Team

“You can’t do everything for everyone, and you can’t be everything for everyone.” Michelle reflects on how delegation has been critical to her success.

5. [09:00] Weekly One-on-Ones

Michelle reveals why she dedicates an entire day each week to meeting with her team one-on-one—and why it’s been a “game changer” for communication and accountability.

6. [12:00] Adapting to Employee Goals

Michelle shares how she supports team members with ambitions outside real estate: “This industry is not for everyone forever, and that’s fine.”

7. [13:00] Mental Health and Team Wellness

What happened at a team retreat involving meditation, ice baths, and goal-setting that strengthened her team’s bond and resilience?

8. [18:00] Empowering Women in Real Estate

Michelle discusses why female sales agents are underrepresented in the industry and what she’s doing to create more opportunities.

9. [19:00] Juggling Work and Motherhood

How Michelle learned to balance a thriving business with raising two young boys.

10. [20:00] Automating the Customer Experience

What automation strategies helped Michelle close nearly $1M in GCI as a solo agent—and why she’s now reintroducing personal touches…

Links

Champions in Real Estate
LinkedIn

Detailed Episode Guide:

The Rise of a Champion
Michelle Champion’s journey in real estate began with rejection – initially deemed “too young, too female, and too blonde” for a sales role. Starting as a receptionist, she learned every aspect of the business, eventually building her own successful agency. Today, Champions in Real Estate stands as a testament to her perseverance and innovative approach to business.

Building a Modern Real Estate Business
From day one, Michelle’s agency embraced digital transformation, launching as a paperless office – a revolutionary approach in Cairns at the time. The business has grown to include 12 team members, handling both sales and property management, with Michelle’s personal team achieving 100 transactions annually.

Leadership Through Connection
Michelle’s leadership style emphasises personal connection and growth. Her commitment to weekly one-on-one meetings with every team member, though time-consuming, has proven transformative for her business. These meetings cover not just KPIs but personal and professional goals, creating a culture of trust and support.

Wellness and Team Development
Understanding the importance of mental health and team wellness, Michelle recently organised a team retreat featuring meditation, ice baths, and team-building exercises. This holistic approach to team development reflects her commitment to supporting both the professional and personal growth of her team members.

Technology and Systems
Drawing from her accounting background, Michelle has implemented extensive automation and systems to ensure consistent service delivery. While maintaining personal touch points, these systems enable efficient operation and scalability.

Summary:
Michelle Champion’s success story exemplifies how innovative leadership, combined with a commitment to personal development and team welfare, can create a thriving real estate business. Her approach to balancing technology with human connection, and business goals with personal well-being, provides a blueprint for modern real estate leadership.

FAQ

What led Michelle Champion to start her own real estate business?
Michelle’s journey began in the industry as a receptionist, working her way up through sales and eventually launching her own agency, Champions in Real Estate, six years ago in Cairns. Her desire to innovate, focus on digital solutions, and create a modern approach to real estate inspired her to build her own agency.

What challenges did Michelle face when launching her business?
Michelle launched her business while pregnant with her first child, balancing family life, a home office, and the pressures of establishing a new agency. She and her husband faced challenges due to differences in values with a previous agency partner, which ultimately pushed them to start their independent journey.

How does Michelle balance running a business with family life?
Michelle relies on a strong team and empowers others to take on responsibilities. She emphasises the importance of letting go and allowing her team members and family to take initiative, which has been instrumental in managing her dual roles.

What makes Champions in Real Estate stand out in Cairns?
Champions in Real Estate is known for its innovative, paperless approach and focus on digital marketing. Michelle has built her business on values like efficiency, client care, and work-life balance, which resonates with her team and clients alike.

How does Michelle handle team accountability?
Michelle conducts weekly one-on-one meetings with each team member, creating a structured time to address goals, performance, and any concerns. These sessions ensure issues are handled proactively and provide each team member with personal and professional support.

What role does automation play in Michelle’s business?
With a background in accounting and IT, Michelle implemented heavy automation from day one to handle tasks efficiently, especially when she was working solo. As her team has grown, she has adjusted processes to add more personalised service while still maintaining efficiency.

What is Michelle’s approach to empowering women in real estate?
Michelle is passionate about supporting women, especially in sales roles where they are underrepresented. She recently held an event with industry coach Sherrie Storer to create a network for women in Cairns, fostering collaboration and support among female agents.

What impact has working with a business coach had on Michelle’s agency?
Michelle has been working with business coach Sherrie Storer for nearly two years, which has helped her gain self-confidence and establish systems and processes for growth. Coaching has been a key factor in achieving her business goals and expanding her agency’s capabilities.

Where can I learn more about Michelle Champion and Champions in Real Estate?
Michelle welcomes connections from others in the industry and can be reached via Champions in Real Estate’s website or through her social media profiles, especially for those interested in real estate or working in Cairns.

The post Turning your name into a winning real estate brand: Michelle Champion appeared first on Elite Agent.

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The now real estate coach, trainer and principal of Nitschke Real Estate in the Adelaide Hills, Michael had to dig deep to turn things around when his back was against the wall.

In the latest episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Michael shares how he embraced vulnerability and learned to lead through one of the toughest periods of his life.

He talks about how instead of selling the business, as many advised, he saw the situation as an opportunity to turn it around.

Michael also discusses his thoughts on becoming more resilient, learning how to lead and creating a value-driven team culture.

He highlights the importance of authenticity in real estate, balancing leadership with personal growth and fostering a supportive environment where the team and clients come first.

“I know what got me through that period was actually this desire within me. I thought, what if this is actually an incredible opportunity? What if, as hard as the circumstances are, if I can attach some gratitude to this, that this might be why I’m here, like this might be my opportunity to lead a broken business, to turn it around.” – Michael Nitschke

10 key takeaways from this episode:

1. The impact of sudden loss and the importance of succession planning
   Timestamp: 03:00
   
2. Stepping up to lead a struggling business with no prior experience
   Timestamp: 06:00

3. The power of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership
   Timestamp: 11:00

4. Rebuilding a business through focus on values and company culture
   Timestamp: 14:00

5. Implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) for business management
   Timestamp: 17:00

6. The challenges of transitioning from a selling principal to a full-time leader
   Timestamp: 20:00

7. Building resilience in yourself and your team
   Timestamp: 23:00

8. The importance of work-life balance and self-care for business success
   Timestamp: 24:00

9. Writing a book as a way to process grief and help others
   Timestamp: 25:00

10. Embracing public speaking and coaching as new opportunities
    Timestamp: 27:00

Links:

Michael Nitschke’s Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
Leading Out of Loss
Nitschke Real Estate

Detailed Episode Guide:

From Tragedy to Triumph: Michael Nitschke’s Journey
Michael Nitschke’s story begins with tragedy. At just 30 years old, he lost both his parents in quick succession and inherited a family real estate business that was millions of dollars in debt. With no prior business management experience, Michael faced the daunting task of saving the company while dealing with his own grief.

“We were millions of dollars in debt. The business had just six weeks of cash left and I’m not talking about money in the bank. I’m actually talking about overdraft. So we were deep in the red, had all the people and culture problems everywhere. The business was so broken.”

Embracing Vulnerability and Authentic Leadership
Rather than pretending to have all the answers, Michael chose to lead with vulnerability and authenticity. He openly shared the challenges with his team and asked for their help in turning the business around. This approach fostered trust and unity within the organisation during a critical time.

“I just had to learn on the steepest learning curve imaginable with the stakes so, so high, like I was literally going to lose everything. It was really scary.”

Rebuilding the Business: Values and Culture First
As Michael worked to stabilise the business financially, he also focused on rebuilding the company culture. He prioritised being a “good human” first and a real estate agent second, emphasising authenticity and teamwork. This approach has shaped Nitschke Real Estate into a thriving, values-driven organisation.

“Our Everest mission is to be the most authentic real estate agency. So we really want to be known as an agency that just feels like a breath of fresh air. Both in our marketplace, but just within the industry in general.”

Implementing Systems for Success
To maintain focus and drive growth, Michael implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in his business. This framework provides structure through regular meetings, goal-setting, and issue-solving sessions. It has helped keep the team aligned and moving towards their shared vision.

The Challenge of Letting Go
As the business has grown, Michael faces a new challenge: transitioning from a selling principal to a full-time leader. He discusses the difficulties of delegating responsibilities and stepping away from direct sales, a common struggle for many successful agents moving into leadership roles.

“I never wanted it to be the Michael show. Like I love leading it, but I love supporting the team that we have, it’s not all about me.”

Building Resilience and Supporting the Team
Drawing from his own experiences with adversity, Michael emphasises the importance of building resilience in his team. He encourages open communication about personal challenges and stresses the importance of self-care, exercise, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

From Personal Story to Published Author
Michael’s journey of loss and leadership inspired him to write a book, Leading Out of Loss. Initially intended as a legacy for his children, the book has become a source of inspiration for others facing similar challenges in business and life.

“My story is very unique, but it’s actually, it’s the underlying grief that unites us, you know, and it’s that resilient moments around themes of loss and overcoming adversity and challenges, I think could be really helpful.”

Embracing New Opportunities
Today, Michael continues to lead Nitschke Real Estate while also pursuing opportunities in public speaking and coaching. He shares his experiences and insights through a weekly email series called “Leadership Letters,” where he discusses the ongoing challenges and lessons of business leadership.

Summary
Michael Nitschke’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for growth in the face of adversity. His journey from sudden loss to successful leadership offers valuable insights for anyone facing challenges in business or life. By embracing vulnerability, focusing on values, and continuously learning, Michael has not only saved his family’s business but transformed it into a thriving, authentic real estate agency.

FAQ

How did Michael Nitchke get involved in his family real estate business?
Michael joined his family’s real estate business in 2008 after gaining experience in Western Australia. He took over the business in 2018 following the sudden passing of his father.

What challenges did Michael face when taking over the family business?
Michael inherited a business that was millions of dollars in debt with only six weeks of cash left. He had no formal business management experience and had to rebuild the company from the ground up.

How did Michael turn the business around?
He focused on creating a value-driven culture, sought mentorship and support, and embraced vulnerability with his team. By involving the staff in decision-making and implementing a philosophy of “better before big,” he gradually stabilised and grew the business.

What leadership approach does Michael advocate?
Michael emphasises authentic leadership by being transparent with his team, asking for help, and supporting others. He believes in being a human first and a leader second, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

What is the key value that drives Nitchke Real Estate?
The agency focuses on authenticity and being “good humans.” Michael prioritises human connections with clients and creating a team-first culture that aims to improve each day.

How does Michael balance selling and leadership?
Michael is transitioning from a sales-focused role to becoming a full-time leader of the business. He is working to delegate more responsibilities to his team so he can focus on the long-term vision and growth of the company.

What does Michael’s coaching and keynote speaking focus on?
Michael’s coaching and speaking engagements focus on resilience, leadership, and business transformation, sharing lessons from his own journey of turning around a struggling family business.

Where can I find more information about Michael Nitchke’s book and coaching?
You can find more information on Michael’s website at michaelnitchke.com.au, where he also shares leadership insights through his weekly email series called “Leadership Letters.”

The post Leading Out of Loss: Michael Nitschke’s Path to Reviving a Family Legacy appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Michael Crossland’s story is a powerful testament to these principles. As a survivor of life-threatening cancer and the sole survivor of a failed drug trial, Michael knows firsthand what it means to confront and overcome adversity.

Throughout his career, whether representing Australia in baseball or speaking to audiences across the globe, he has consistently emphasised that adversity doesn’t define us—it’s our response to it that matters.

For real estate professionals, Crossland’s insights into perseverance, emotional resilience, and maintaining a strong mental framework offer valuable tools.

His work, both in the corporate world and his humanitarian efforts, proves that success is about more than just achieving personal goals; it’s about making a lasting impact despite obstacles.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations with REIA President Leanne Pilkington, Michael Crossland reflects on his incredible journey—from battling cancer as a child to navigating health challenges within his own family and ultimately rising to become a successful corporate leader and philanthropist. He opens up about the mindset shifts that have shaped his life, including the power of visualisation and how establishing structured morning and evening routines has been a key factor in maintaining balance and focus.

Michael also discusses why stepping into discomfort is essential for personal development, sharing how he used his darkest moments as catalysts for growth. As someone who has achieved significant success, Michael offers invaluable lessons on how he balances his professional responsibilities while ensuring he remains present for his family.

“We all have that moment where we dip below the line and we think that our life’s not fair, and it’s okay to feel that way. What’s not okay is choosing to stay there.” – Michael Crossland

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The importance of shifting from a victim mentality to a navigator mindset.
   Timestamp: 3-minutes
   
2. How visualisation can help you achieve your goals.
   Timestamp: 10-minutes
   
3. The power of setting intentions for each day.
   Timestamp: 12-minutes
   
4. Why having a morning and evening routine is crucial for success.
   Timestamp: 14-minutes
   
5. The impact of seeking discomfort for personal growth.
   Timestamp: 15-minutes
   
6. How Michael’s darkest moments led to discovering his purpose.
   Timestamp: 20-minutes
   
7. The story behind Michael’s orphanage and school in Haiti.
   Timestamp: 21-minutes
   
8. The importance of balancing success with humility.
   Timestamp: 24-minutes
   
9. Why being present with family is crucial, even with a busy schedule.
   Timestamp: 26-minutes
   
10. How Michael’s book sales are making a difference in providing meals for those in need.
    Timestamp: 27-minutes

Links

Michael’s website michaelcrossland.com
Michael on YouTube
Frontier Projects

Detailed episode guide

In this latest edition of Courageous Conversations, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, we delve into an inspiring story of resilience, strength, and ambition. In the past five years, Michael Crossland has spoken to over 900,000 people globally despite spending nearly a quarter of his life in hospitals. In this podcast episode, Michael shares the incredible journey of his life, his battle with cancer, accomplishments, and the mindset that has fueled his success.

A Dark Beginning Met with Determined Resolve

Michael’s life story begins with an enormous challenge. He was diagnosed at 11 months old with an incurable cancer of the central nervous system called Neuroblastoma Stage 4, and doctors gave him no chance of survival. Chemotherapy regimens were brutal, and surgical attempts failed. When no option seemed viable, he was put on an experimental drug. Tragically, out of the 25 children who took the drug, Michael was the sole survivor.

Reflecting on his adversities, Michael attributes much of his survival to the unwavering belief system his parents instilled in him. They taught him to believe in himself and to dream big, inspiring him to pursue what many deemed impossible. Despite medical predictions, Michael strived for normalcy – attending school and making friends.

The Power of Visualisation and Self-Belief

Michael shares a fascinating insight into how visualization and self-belief were pivotal in his achievements. As a child, he dreamt of playing Major League Baseball in America. Although many tried to limit his aspirations, Michael was determined to prove them wrong. He emphasizes that obstacles should not deter one from believing in and working towards their dreams.

In his corporate career and personal life, he developed a practice he calls VBAA – Visualize, Believe, Act, and Achieve. Michael explains how visualizing success breeds belief, which in turn propels one to act, ultimately leading to achievement. This mindset shift is essential for personal and professional growth.

Overcoming Challenges with Perspective and Resilience

Michael discusses the concept of living “above the line” vs. “below the line.” Living “above the line” means taking ownership, accountability, and responsibility for one’s circumstances, thoughts, and actions. On the contrary, living “below the line” is characterized by victimhood, blame, and denial.

Throughout his talk, Michael reiterates the importance of perspective. Even during the toughest times, holding onto hope and collaboration is crucial. By shifting perspectives and aligning one’s mindset to focus on overcoming challenges, individuals can find the strength to navigate through life’s adversities.

Establishing Routine and Seeking Discomfort

A significant part of Michael’s message is the importance of establishing a powerful routine. Despite not being a morning person, Michael starts his day at 5 AM with an intense routine that includes exercise, meditation, and ice baths. These practices are rooted in the belief that discomfort catalyses growth and prepares one for the day ahead.

He also underscores the importance of an evening routine, which includes winding down activities that prepare the mind for restful sleep. These behaviours ensure that one is rejuvenated and ready to perform the next day effectively.

Giving Back and Finding Purpose

Michael’s life took a definitive turn when he decided to focus not just on himself but on giving back to others. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Michael got involved in rebuilding a school in Haiti and eventually co-founded an orphanage. Today, this orphanage serves 44 children, offering them a seamless blend of care and education.

Michael has made significant impacts by discovering and acting on his purpose, from assisting children in Haiti to solving family reunification by empowering parents with micro-business opportunities.

Striking a Balance Between Professional Aspirations and Personal Life

Michael remains grounded in the belief that true success involves striking a balance between professional commitments and personal life. While he travels extensively for speaking engagements, he ensures he is present and involved when home with his family. This balance is integral to fulfilling his life’s mission of leaving a legacy and living fully into it.

Conclusion

Michael Crossland’s story powerfully reminds us of the human spirit’s resilience and capability to overcome even the gravest of adversities. His insights on visualization, self-belief, and daily routine are invaluable lessons for anyone looking to break through barriers and achieve remarkable success. To learn more about Michael Crossland, his work, and his motivational content, visit his website at michaelcrossland.com. All proceeds from his books go to charity, further exemplifying his commitment to giving back.

For more industry insights and inspiring stories, access all of Elite Agent’s premium resources at thebrief.eliteagent.com.

Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Crossland

1. Q: Who is Michael Crossland?
   A: Michael Crossland is a motivational speaker, author, and philanthropist who overcame childhood cancer and numerous health challenges to become a successful corporate professional, athlete, and humanitarian.
   
2. Q: What health challenges did Michael face?
   A: Michael was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (an incurable cancer) at 11 months old, survived experimental treatment, and later experienced cardiac arrests and bacterial meningitis.
   
3. Q: What is Michael’s approach to personal growth?
   A: Michael emphasizes visualization, setting intentions, seeking discomfort for growth, and maintaining strict morning and evening routines.
   
4. Q: How does Michael contribute to humanitarian efforts?
   A: He runs a school and orphanage in Haiti, helping provide education, housing, and support for underprivileged children.
   
5. Q: What is Michael’s “VBAA” philosophy?
   A: VBAA stands for Visualize, Believe, Act, and Achieve – a framework Michael uses for goal-setting and personal development.
   
6. Q: How does Michael balance his busy career with family life?
   A: He practices being fully present when at home, uses a “phone drawer” to minimize distractions, and often travels with his family.
   
7. Q: What are some key elements of Michael’s daily routine?
   A: His routine includes waking up at 5 AM, taking ice baths, exercising, meditating, and having a structured evening routine for better sleep.
   
8. Q: How did Michael transition from corporate banking to motivational speaking?
   A: After facing personal and health challenges, Michael discovered his purpose in giving back and sharing his story, which led to opportunities in public speaking.
   
9. Q: What advice does Michael give for achieving success?
   A: He emphasizes doing more than what’s expected, visualizing goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and finding one’s purpose beyond personal gain.
   
10. Q: Where can people find more information about Michael and his work?
    A: People can visit his website at michaelcrossland.com, where they can also find his books and more resources.

The post Stepping Up to the Plate: Michael Crossland on Turning Adversity into Opportunity appeared first on Elite Agent.

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In this episode of Courageous Conversations, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Lisa shares her unique path from a successful real estate career to a period of intense self-reflection and back to the industry with a renewed sense of purpose.

Lisa’s story is one of transformation, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, intuition, and the courage to make significant life changes.

She discusses her experiences in real estate, her journey of personal development, and how these elements have come full circle to shape her current approach to both life and business.

“I’ve discovered that I love humans, that I’m an exceptional communicator. That I have got incredible listening skills, all the things that lent itself to real estate that I didn’t see back then.” – LISA BRITCLIFFE

9 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Lisa’s initial entry into real estate and why she felt misaligned with the profession.
Timestamp: 2-minutes

2. The pivotal moment that led Lisa to leave real estate and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
Timestamp: 5-minutes

3. How Lisa’s personal challenges, including her son’s autism diagnosis, sparked her quest for self-improvement.
Timestamp: 5-minutes

4. The importance of self-knowledge in building authentic connections with clients.
Timestamp: 7-minutes

5. Lisa’s experience with a harmonious separation and how it informs her approach to helping clients through similar situations.
Timestamp: 9-minutes

6. The unexpected health challenge that led Lisa back to real estate.
Timestamp: 14-minutes

7. The importance of aligning personal values with business ethics in choosing a workplace.
Timestamp: 17-minutes

8. Lisa’s insights on developing and trusting intuition through meditation and self-awareness.
Timestamp: 19-minutes

9. The power of changing personal narratives and seeking support from like-minded individuals.
Timestamp: 23-minutes

Connect with Lisa Britcliffe

LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

The post Lisa Britcliffe: From real estate to self-discovery and back again appeared first on Elite Agent.

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And Grant Jupe has experienced both. Not only did he establish Raine & Horne Muswellbrook, he and his husband are now in the process of establishing Novo Swiss, a boutique watch business in Newcastle.

In today’s episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Grant opens up about his military background and how it uniquely prepared him for a successful career.

He takes a deep dive into his personal experience with surrogacy, the legal and emotional hurdles he and his husband overcame, and how he balances his professional ambitions with parenthood.

Grant also shares his insights on building an agency from the ground up, maintaining a positive mindset during a market slump and why supporting and training your team helps ensure long-term business success.

“It was the fact I knew I’d invested this money into building this business and I had to give it everything. I didn’t have time to let it get to me that I wasn’t making sales. Every opportunity that came my way, I was there with a smile on my face and determined to get it.”

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. How Grant’s military background shaped his real estate career.
Timestamp: 1-minute.

2. Grant’s journey to parenthood through surrogacy.
Timestamp: 2-minutes.

3. The legal and emotional challenges of surrogacy in Australia.
Timestamp: 7-minutes.

4. Grant’s approach to balancing work and new parenthood.
Timestamp: 8-minutes.

5. The unexpected way Grant decided to pursue real estate.
Timestamp: 9-minutes.

6. Why starting a business during a market downturn can be a blessing in disguise.
Timestamp: 11-minutes.

7. How to maintain a positive mindset during challenging times in business.
Timestamp: 14-minutes.

8. The importance of community involvement in building a successful real estate business.
Timestamp: 15-minutes.

9. The crucial role of staff in growing a successful business.
Timestamp: 17-minutes.

10. The value of training and supporting employees, even if they move on.
Timestamp: 20-minutes.

Links

Connect with Grant Jupe.

The post Grant Jupe: 10 lessons from a Journey Through Surrogacy, Parenthood, and Entrepreneurship appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Melinda Kirby isn’t afraid of a challenge.

Rising through the real estate ranks, the Ray White Rockhampton agent broke free of her comfort zone to become a standalone agent in 2020.

When she did, she set out to carve a niche for herself in a male-dominated market and become an inspiration for other women to follow in her footsteps.

In today’s episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Melinda reveals the iron fist in a velvet glove strategy that has lined her path to becoming the number 1 agent in her region.

She shares why her approach to real estate goes far beoynd mere transactions to offer personalised, scaleable services that enable her to build on her success year after year.

Melinda also takes a deep dive into how she strategically crafts her sales techniques and team dynamics, building a unit that complements each other in both personality and skill set.

Leanne and Melinda also explore how she has redefined traditional roles with her husband and created better work-life balance, while also fostering growth and opportunity for other women in real estate.

“I had a look around and there just weren’t any lead female agents in our marketplace at all…And so I really just made the decision, why can’t it be me?”

Leanne and Melinda also discuss:

• 1:20 – Starting strong: Melinda’s extensive industry experience and how she broke the shackles of playing it safe to become a standalone agent.
• 3:00 – Selling on her own terms: How Melinda redefined work-life balance, swapped traditional roles with her husband, and tailored her sales approach.
• 5:45 – Mastering service and scale: How to offer personalised service at scale and the pivotal role of strategic team marketing in Melinda’s success.
• 8:25 – Dominating the market: The strategies that propelled Melinda to the top in a male-dominated industry and the transformative impact of her business coach.
• 10:10 – Building the best team: How to select the right mix of skills and personalities to enhance a team’s dynamics and efficiency.
• 14:25 – Networking for success: Why networking and mentorship is critical to success.
• 16:55 – Vision for growth: Where to next for Melinda, including business expansion and her commitment to supporting emerging women in real estate.

The post Breaking barriers: Melinda Kirby on tackling challenges head-on, revolutionising work-life harmony, and empowering women to lead and succeed appeared first on Elite Agent.

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In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, host Leanne Pilkington engages in a candid and inspiring discussion with Grant Turner, a real estate professional whose journey is marked by success and significant challenges.

Faced with the sudden onset of epilepsy mid career, Grant found himself grappling with the profound impact it had on his personal and professional life.

He shares the raw, unfiltered reality of his struggles, from the initial shock of the diagnosis to the daily challenges of managing a chronic condition while striving to maintain a successful career in real estate.

Yet, through this adversity, Grant discovered a well of resilience within himself.

He candidly discusses how he chose to confront his epilepsy head-on, refusing to let it define him or hinder his ambitions.

By embracing a mindset of acceptance and gratitude, Grant not only adapted to his new reality but also found renewed purpose and strength.

Grant’s story takes an even more inspiring turn as he reveals his upcoming 700km charity ride across Thailand to raise money for Hands Across The Water, an organization supporting underprivileged children.

This endeavour stands as a powerful testament to Grant’s determination to rise above his challenges and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

“Things have only got stronger and stronger from there, and right now, today, I’m filled with a lot of gratitude for having great people around me and great support.”

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 01:18 – Ready for real estate: Deep-dive into Grant’s entry into the real estate sector, the distinct landscapes of residential versus commercial transactions and how harnessing a residential approach can elevate your success.
• 03:06 – Endurance beyond limits: Grant’s transformation from casual 5km runs to conquering a marathon, and discover the parallels between physical endurance and thriving in real estate.
• 08:18 – Navigating life’s storms: Grant’s battle with epilepsy, the upheaval it caused in his life, and the resilience required to face such unpredictability.
• 09:55 – Grace under pressure: How Grant responded to life-altering health challenges, adapted to significant lifestyle shifts and navigated personal and professional obstacles with strength.
• 14:54 – Transforming fear into power: Uncover the pivotal shift in Grant’s mindset from fear to acceptance and gratitude, and how it helped him embrace life and real estate.
• 19:26 – Triumph and giving: Grant’s inspiring comeback journey and why his heartfelt engagement in the Digital Live Charity Ride is a full circle moment.
• 20:31 – Supporting dreams: Find out how contributing to Grant’s cause can make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Thailand, emphasising the real estate community’s power to impact positively.

Epilepsy Awareness Month: Every 22 minutes, a life is turned upside down by Epilepsy. March is National Epilepsy Awareness Month in Australia. This is a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma and dispel myths about living with epilepsy. Purple Day is on the 26th of March; for more information on how to support and make March Purple, visit epilepsy.org.au

The post Back on track: Grant Turner on overcoming health hurdles, resilience in real estate and an inspiring cycling comeback appeared first on Elite Agent.

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KEY-UP is a power cry in martial arts.

Two-time Australian Hapkido Champion Mel Thomas created a program called KYUP! (pronounced the same way) with a powerful mission: to foster resilience in the next generation and break the cycle of family and intimate partner violence at a grassroots level.

In today’s episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, the two-time Australian Hapkido Champion reveals the heartbreaking real-life story that inspired the KYUP Project and how her personal challenges became a force for change.

Emphasising that the KYUP Project is about so much more than just self-defence, Mel shares why the project is also zeroing in on embedding self-worth and defence components into the educational curriculum.

She also explores the heightened challenges that today’s youth face, explaining why establishing open dialogues can strengthen family bonds and bolster society’s resilience against violence and mental health issues.

“The sooner we can teach young girls that they have the right to take up space, the sooner we’ll see a shift in gender equality.”

• 01:18 – Unleashing empowerment: Mel redefines self-defence, turning the KYUP Project into a beacon of empowerment and resilience.
• 01:44 – Catalyst for change: The heartrending story that inspired the inception of the KYUP Project, setting the stage for transformative empowerment in young lives.
• 04:31 – The education revolution: Advocating for self-worth and self-defence as essential curriculum components, reshaping the educational landscape.
• 06:28 – Post-pandemic realities: Analysis of the surge in violence and mental health issues in the Covid aftermath and their impact on youth, offering insights into societal shifts.
• 11:07 – Conversations that matter: Strategies to foster open, impactful discussions with teens on critical issues, strengthening familial bonds and promoting understanding.
• 16:02 – Empowering futures: Education’s role in empowering young women, opening doors to endless opportunities and choices.
• 17:42 -Triumph over adversity: Mel shares her journey of overcoming personal hurdles through martial arts, underscoring the power of self-worth and inner growth.
• 22:11 – Expanding impact: The challenges and triumphs of scaling the KYUP Project, running a charity, and the art of acknowledging limits.
• 24:24 – Selecting success: How to surround yourself with positive influences for personal and professional development, a guide to curated growth.
• 26:18 – Feminine force: Pioneering a gender-inclusive approach in self-defence, fostering mentorship, and empowering young girls towards equity.

The post From Trauma into Triumph: Mel Thomas’ Mission to Empower the Next Generation appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Rebecca Halton’s approach to leadership shatters conventional boundaries, marrying fierce ambition with a growth culture and a deep commitment to team wellbeing.

In today’s episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Rebecca recounts how her initial reluctance towards the real estate industry transformed into a drive to lead with passion and innovate.

Take a deep dive into how an unexpected phone call suddenly changed her career path and gain insight into how she expanded her business from managing 600 doors to an astounding 2500 properties, with plans for more.

Rebecca also reveals how she leads her team of 45, why empowering her team to make decisions is a must and how delivering feedback is a two-way process where the power of mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities.

She also shares her wisdom on wellness in the workplace, how she balances work and motherhood and what she hopes the rest of 2024 will hold.

“You find your comfort zone as an adult and a lot of people just stay in that, and that’s fine. (But) I like to feel a little bit of anxiety and nervousness and I like to overcome that. I think that helps me grow.” – Rebecca Halton

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1:36 – Fast-track revelation: How Rebecca’s initial aversion to real estate transformed into her deep dive into the industry.
• 3:00 – Career curveball: The unexpected phone call that quickly reshaped Rebecca’s career path.
• 4:30 – Growth odyssey: How Rebecca orchestrated impressive business expansion, from managing 600 doors to a staggering 2500.
• 6:00 – Taking the leap: How a dare led Rebecca to auctioneering, how she championed auctions in a traditional private treaty market
• 8:50 – Fearless exploration: Why Rebecca pushes boundaries, steps outside her comfort zone and the resilience lesson she’s learnt from her children.
• 11:00 – Leadership mastery: Delivering impactful feedback, cultivating a leadership culture, and empowering your team to take the reins.
• 17:05 – The WOW ladder: How to exceed consumer expectations, level up your business, and avoid complacency.
• 19:40 – Wellness wisdom: Essential tips to nurture your team, yourself and break free from the guilt pendulum.
• 27:40 – Knowledge is power: What Rebecca wished she knew about loneliness at the start of her career.
• 30:17 – Embracing 2024: Rebecca’s plans for more acquisitions, expanding her BDM team, and cherishing quality time with her family.

The post Fearless leadership: Rebecca Halton on pioneering growth, empowering your team and embracing wellness appeared first on Elite Agent.

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That’s the inspiring journey of Nicole Katsivelas, a true embodiment of determination and leadership in property management.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast, hosted by Leanne Pilkington, Nicole unveils her roadmap to real estate triumph.

Dive deep into her captivating story of building a career that defies the odds, fostering a company culture that’s not just about business, but about nurturing each other and cherishing clients.

She also delves into the art of confronting fears head-on, the power of not taking things personally in a high-stakes industry, and how to cultivate a vibrant team culture that’s the backbone of business growth.

Nicole also shares her insider strategies to push boundaries and break free of self-doubt, as well as how to lead by example in everything you do, proving you can go from ground zero to the pinnacle of success.

“If I take care of the people around me, they are going to take care of the people around them. So If I look after my team, my team are going to look after the clients and we’re going to be able to run a really successful business because everyone is happy and fulfilled.” – Nicole Katsivelas

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 3:28 – Mastering team synergy: Uncover powerful strategies to inspire and elevate your team’s performance.
• 5:27 – Leadership through empathy: Learn to navigate multiple roles as a leader for deeper insights into your business.
• 8:15 – Pathway to partnership: Essential traits and skills for ascending to a partnership role in your firm.
• 10:53 – Visionary leadership perspectives: Transform your leadership viewpoint to uncover hidden opportunities.
• 12:32 – Professional detachment in property management: Understand why personalising business scenarios is a trap to avoid.
• 13:51 – Accelerate success with expert guidance: Explore how mentors and coaches can dramatically shorten your path to success.
• 16:52 – Cultivating a vibrant team culture: Practical tips for nurturing and living your team’s core values.
• 18:50 – From manager to coach: Strategies for transitioning from team management to empowering and coaching your team.
• 21:15 – Overcoming self-doubt: Top techniques to shatter self-imposed barriers and propel your career forward.

The post From receptionist to real estate trailblazer: Nicole Katsivelas on leadership essentials, mastering company culture and overcoming self-limitations appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Resilience isn’t optional in the real estate industry; it’s a requirement for long-term success.

And one agent who has resilience in spades is My Agent Team’s Christine Ewin.

In today’s episode of Courageous Conversations, hosted by Leanne Pilkington,  Christine spills the secrets that skyrocketed her into the real estate stratosphere.

Christine reveals the year-one roadmap that shot her into the top 5 per cent of agents at a national franchise, how to become a magnet for top talent and why adaptability is the key to future-proofing your agency.

She also opens up about the impact of personal loss and how she overcame both personal and career challenges to come back stronger than ever.

Leanne and Christine also discuss the power of people, how Christine used her leadership skills and real estate knowledge to house 34 families in just 21 days after the Black Summer bushfires and why community is the currency that will supercharge your client relationships.

“I think that that’s where being a neighbour to somebody in the community (matters) and not just being the hyenas around it and just zapping in and selling a property and listing a property and zapping back out. Instead, I was there for the long haul.” – Christine Ewin

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 2.47 – Unlocking doors without experience: Christine’s networking secrets for breaking into real estate.
• 3.50 – The power of people: Master the people skills that skyrocketed Christine to real estate stardom.
• 4.44 – Fast-track your success: Christine’s year-one roadmap to the top 5 per cent of a national franchise.
• 6.07 – Conquer impostor syndrome: Christine’s proven strategies for bulletproof self-belief.
• 8.13 – Turn personal setbacks into comebacks: Christine’s guide to rebuilding life and career after loss.
• 13.45 – Crisis leadership: Learn how Christine housed 34 families in 21 days after the Black Summer bushfires.
• 15.01 – Adapt or perish: Christine’s playbook for future-proofing your real estate business.
• 16.05 – Community is currency: How Christine’s active involvement paid dividends in client relationships.
• 18.38 – Become an agent magnet: Transform your agency into a talent hotspot.
• 23:15 – The succession blueprint: Christine’s strategies for scaling her agency and what comes next.

The post Courageous Conversations: Christine Ewin’s proven strategies for mastering real estate, navigating setbacks, and reclaiming the top spot appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Today, Jonny is able to turn his past struggles into relentless motivation and unmatched empathy for his team and business prospects, to build their success as much as his own.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Jonny Warren challenges the notion that one’s past struggles are weaknesses to be hidden, asserting that they are, in fact, sources of strength.

He also discusses how he goes above and beyond to help clients facing tough times, why he lets his team take five days off every six weeks, and the best way to develop a culture of work-life balance while still scaling your agency.

“For a lot of agents, it’s all about money, money, money. With us, it’s about helping our clients first. And if you do right by people, then you’ll be rewarded for the efforts and what we did behind the scenes for our clients.” – Jonny Warren.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 2:01 – Unlocking triumph: How to empower your team for real estate success.
• 2:54 – Perfect harmony: Mastering work-life balance in a hectic profession.
• 4:46 – The ultimate weekly plan: Scale your business while reclaiming personal time.
• 5:45 – Building dream teams: Leadership and communication skills to give agents more freedom to create success.
• 7:40 – Empathy in action: How to stand by your clients when the going gets tough.
• 13:01 – The people puzzle: Attracting the right talent to your real estate business.
• 15:09 – Comeback strategy: Bouncing back in life and career after hard times.
• 18:27 – Launching your business: Essential steps for starting a new agency and going it alone.

The post Courageous Conversations: How Jonny Warren turned adversity into his greatest teacher appeared first on Elite Agent.

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She saw firsthand when her brother Shane, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, left school there was no real path for him into adult life.

Tragically, Shane died a few years after leaving school, and Laura established the not-for-profit, Fighting Chance, to help build social businesses to ensure other people with disabilities don’t have to face the battles her brother did.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Laura talks about why she feels people need opportunity, not charity, so they can contribute to the world.

She also reveals how she has developed as a leader of a large organisation, which she founded at a young age, how to learn on the job and how to survive moments of catastrophe in any business.

“I always embrace the really difficult moments and there are lots of them because they are the opportunities for improvement and refinement and clarifying what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and getting better at my craft.” – Laura O’Reilly.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 4:03 – Igniting social enterprises nationwide: Transforming lives of those with disabilities through employment.
• 6:08 – The crucial role of skills training for the disabled: A must-hear for employers.
• 7:33 – Partnering with industry giants: The inspirational growth of fighting change and why Laura launched Hire Up.
• 11:19 – The NDIS revolution: How it’s reshaping opportunities for people with disabilities.
• 14:13 – Youthful leadership: Proven strategies for running successful businesses at a young age.
• 16:39 – Navigating crisis: Resilient approaches to get your business back on track.
• 18:05 – The power of transparent learning: Upgrade your skill set while aligning with your purpose.
• 20:25 – Crafting the optimal learning ecosystem: The secret to team growth and productivity

The post Courageous Conversations: Laura O’Reilly reveals how she is helping people with disabilities have a fighting chance at a normal life appeared first on Elite Agent.

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The long-term leader, who was instrumental in expanding the brand around the world, was rapidly headed into a dark place and felt he had lost his passion and drive.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Mike talks about why he needed to get back to work and why retirement isn’t for everyone.

He discusses why taking on a role at the coalface helped him improve as a leader, how to overcome self-doubt and why there are no time limits on leadership.

He also talks about how he is bringing the industry together through Real Estate Industry Partners (REIP) and using data to help agents take back control.

“You’ve got to have purpose and passion in your life. You can’t get up in the morning with no real plan or nothing to do.” – Mike Green.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 5:03 – Exploring the drive: Why retirement is not an option for everyone, especially when the passion for real estate still burns.
• 7:55 – Achieving excellence: Tips on living a fulfilling life and reaching your full potential in the industry.
• 9:45 – Conquering new challenges: Strategies to overcome self-doubt as you embrace a fresh role in real estate.
• 14:10 – Leading with passion: Guidance on the optimal time to spend in leadership roles and why enthusiasm reigns supreme.
• 16:54 – Uniting the industry: The essential need for collaboration and putting differences aside for the collective benefit of all agents.
• 21:41 – Shaping the Future with REIP: Insight into how the Real Estate Institute of Australia is harnessing data to promote the industry and take control of the future.

The post Courageous Conversations: Mike Green talks about passion and purpose and why you need something to drive you appeared first on Elite Agent.

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In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Romany talks about her passion for her community and how she is focused on raising money for a range of different causes including being on the fundraising committee of Australia’s longest running HIV charity the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.

She also reveals how she manages her expectations and mindset when she hears the word “no” in her business, and why you need to develop a thick skin to succeed in the high-risk/high-reward world of real estate.

Romany explains why there’s always a solution for every hurdle in a real estate deal, the importance of building a strong office culture and why you can’t play the comparison game.

“The only thing I think that is worth pursuing is how you are comfortable with the way you do business yourself. You can only compare yourself to your last performance. Stop comparing yourself to anyone else.” – Romany Brooks

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1:52 – Romany’s background in real estate and why you need to find your perfect environment.
• 3:01 – Why working under a great leader can make you a better agent.
• 3:31 – Raising money for community causes and how your auction skills can help.
• 9:56 – Why Romany says some personalities have trouble fitting in and what you can do to find your place in the world.
• 11:06 – Why trying to help people in all areas of her life led her to being named Sydney Local Woman of the Year.
• 13:27 – Why you need to be able to handle someone saying “no” to achieve success in any area of life.
• 15:05 – Romany’s clever marketing tactics during Covid times and why they could still help now.
• 17:18 – Why you shouldn’t play the comparison game if you want to achieve big things.
• 19:14 – The importance of an office culture that allows you to manage your own state.

The post Courageous Conversations: Romany Brooks on how to handle people saying no and the importance of community appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Nathan Casserly can vividly remember the moment his business and life changed in a split second.

After successfully building one of Adelaide’s leading agencies, Ouwens Casserly Real Estate, a phone call from his business partner Alex, to tell him Alex’s son had been diagnosed with cancer and he needed to step away from the business, shook him to the core.

Just a few months later, his sales director’s child was also diagnosed with cancer and Nathan was left to run the business while his colleagues faced even bigger challenges.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Nathan talks about how he was able to hold his business and his life together and the mental struggles he had to overcome.

He talks about how he changed as a leader and a person during the hard times, how he restructured his business and why going into “Superman mode” isn’t always the right thing to do as a leader.

“Being vulnerable is really daunting, and you may see it as a weakness if you can show vulnerability to the others around you. But what then comes from that is the connection and trust. We have a hell of a lot of trust within the organisation, and that builds your key foundation of culture to a level I’ve never seen or felt before in any organisation” – Nathan Casserly

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1:30 – Nathan’s background and building his award-winning business.
• 4:22 – Dealing with hard times in business and life.
• 7:52 – How to step up and take on leadership roles.
• 10:52 – Why going into “Superman” mode isn’t always the best thing for your business.
• 15:15 – What a shared leadership model looks like.
• 16:12 – How to hand over responsibility for running your business to someone else.
• 17:55 – The difficulties of succession planning in business.
• 19:50 – Why showing vulnerability as a leader can improve your business and culture.

The post Courageous Conversations: Nathan Casserly talks “shared leadership” and tackling hard times beyond the business world appeared first on Elite Agent.

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In a short space of time, Avi Khan has been able to create one of the fastest-growing agencies in Brisbane, driven by his personal leadership style.

Avi puts much of his success down to building the right type of culture – one that empowers his agents to be leaders themselves.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Avi talks about his journey from lawyer to agent, to now operating five rapidly growing offices in South Brisbane, including 39 agents.

He reveals why he wanted to put his own spin on leadership in the industry and why it’s important to build your own leaders as a part of a strong company culture.

He also discusses the value of being community-focused and having a local presence, how to manage and structure a large team and the importance of transparency in workplace culture.

“We are not just there to list and sell real estate. We are actually there to foster better communities. We’re actually there to connect better communities. We’re actually there to help people as well. I think the beautiful thing about real estate is you can make as much money as you can, but we forget along the way that it’s someone else’s journey. We should be humble and grateful to be a part of it.” – Avi Khan

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

2:38 – Why real estate is harder than it looks.
4:20 – How Avi survived without getting a listing in his first 12 months.
7:08 – How Avi learnt what not to do as a leader through his early experiences.
8:40 – Why you need to create other leaders, build a strong culture and foster a team approach in your business.
11:14 – How Avi uses peer-to-peer learning to help improve his agency.
13:13 – The value of face-to-face interactions and a local presence in an era of technology.
15:16 – How Avi helps build his local community through sponsorships.
16:31 – The way Avi is able to structure his business with 39 agents and the importance of transparency.
21:27 – How Avi was able to manage the decision to stop selling himself and focus on the business.
22:00 – Why agents were so keen to join Avi when he was just getting started.
24:00 – How social media helped launched Avi’s business.

The post Courageous Conversations: Avi Khan on how to empower your team by fostering leadership from within appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Navigating your way through life and in the process trying to find yourself, are some of the biggest challenges we all face.

Nicole Davidson knows this journey well, having spent many years travelling and working overseas as she sought a fulfilling life in every aspect.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Nicole talks about her journey of self-discovery and how walking 750km along the Camino de Santiago, led her to start her business Growth to Success, which is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses create purposeful lives. 

She talks about why people need to stop looking externally for validation and spend more time focusing on developing their emotional self.

Nicole also discusses why she likes to surround herself with people from different backgrounds and the reason she left social media.

“We choose where we use our gifts in this world. Real estate is the industry that people choose to use their gifts through. Not just as somewhere where you go to get a pay cheque or a commission. It’s your life and your soul and your decision about where to spend your time. And we’ve got one life to live.”  – Nicole Davidson

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 2:41 – Why when you’re trying to grow as a person, you need to choose what part of you to leave behind.
• 3:20 – The key realisations Nicole made when she was young that helped shape her life for the better.
• 7:08 – Walking the Camino de Santiago and how it helped Nicole decide what she wanted in her life.
• 11:10 – How Nicole laid the foundations to help people grow.
• 13:44 – Why having a wide circle of people around you helps generate different ideas.
• 14:42 – Why you need to stop looking externally to find love and validation.
• 16:47 – Why Nicole left social media despite it being a helpful tool for her own business.
• 19:04 – Why people numb themselves with things like social media or alcohol instead of focusing on things that are good for them.
• 18:40 – How to stop looking externally for validation by getting curious.

Links mentioned

Growth to Success

The post Courageous Conversations: Nicole Davidson on how to stop seeking external validation and start developing your emotional self appeared first on Elite Agent.

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With all the demands that real estate puts on you, it can be difficult to start a career as an agent later in life.

Principal of Stone Upper North Shore, Anna Cavill, might have started out as a sales agent later than others, but through hard work and constantly looking to improve, she has been able to quickly establish herself as one of the top performers in the country.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Anna talks about why she waited until the age of 43 to get started in real estate and how she was able to break into the industry as a mum working part-time.

She discusses what she did to get established early in her career and the reason she started building a team and working with a coach very early on.

Anna also talks about the importance of building a strong base when you’re new to real estate, so you can lean on that skill set throughout your career.

“It’s about forming a really good, solid base and then you can bounce from that base. Because if you get the base right, whatever market we are going through, you’ve got that base to rely on.” – Anna Cavill

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1:15 – Why Anna made a late start in real estate.
• 4:31 – How Anna built a property business, helping people without a deposit get into a home.
• 6:57 – How Anna was flipping properties in New Zealand and spotting opportunities where others saw problems.
• 8:20 – How Anna managed to get a job as a real estate agent at the age of 43, as a mum, and while working part-time.
• 10:09 – What Anna did to out earn full-time agents when she was working as a part-time assistant.
• 11:15 – How Anna was able to find opportunities when she first started in the industry.
• 12:26 – The benefits of working with a coach when you’re finding your feet in real estate.
• 14:29 – Why Anna focuses on growth and improvement every single day.
• 15:10 – The challenges of running a business and dealing with finding good people to service clients in the right way.
• 16:44 – Why people considering working in real estate just need to jump in and get started.
• 17:25 – The key reason Anna decided to stay longer and learn instead of going out on her own earlier.
• 18:30 – The importance of having a great team around you even when you’re starting out on your own.

Links mentioned

LinkedIn
Stone Real Estate
Caroline Bolderston
Headstart Home Loans

The post Courageous Conversations: Anna Cavill on launching your real estate career in your 40s appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Much like a professional athlete, real estate is a high-performance activity that rewards the people who are prepared to work harder and never give up.

Performing at a high level is something Harcourts Smith owner, Kate Smith knows well after spending her teenage years playing elite junior basketball at the Australian Institute of Sport.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Kate talks about how she overcame the heartbreak of being cut from the AIS for “not being good enough” and why that helped build resilience in her career in real estate.

They also talk about the importance of getting out of your comfort zone if you want to be an elite performer and why being able to handle rejection and turning “no” into “next opportunity” is something you always need to work on.

Kate also discusses how she is able to manage being a working mother with two young children and how to make real estate and family life work.

“You are going to be told, ‘Sorry, you’re not good enough’ or ‘No, we’ve gone with someone else’, or whatever it might be. But you need to turn it into a positive and use that information to make yourself better. It’s a continuous game of personal growth.” – Kate Smith

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

2:41 – Kate’s early life as an elite-level basketball player and training with the Australian Institute of Sport.
4:35 – Dealing with the heartbreak of not making the cut and being told she wasn’t good enough.
6:05 – The similarities between sport and real estate and what it takes to be an elite performer in any field.
7:03 – How to get over the constant rejection in real estate and how to turn momentum into opportunities.
6:28 – How to have hard conversations with vendors and why it’s vital to tell then “what they need to hear”.
9:00 – The best way to coach your team to get the best out of them.
10:03 – Getting out of your comfort zone and speaking at industry events to help further your career.
11:20 – How to manage being a working mother with young children while trying to maintain your career in real estate.
16:02 – Why Kate moved to Harcourts and how it helped her build a team of 20.
16:44 – The challenges of owning a business compared to listing and selling and how to overcome them.
17:21 – Why you don’t want to build a team of people that are exactly like you.
18:41 – How to set your goals effectively so you will be able to achieve them.
19:44 – Why Kate thinks you need to be a great negotiator in the current market and how putting in face-to-face time with vendors will need to increase.

The post Courageous Conversations: Kate Smith on dealing with setbacks and overcoming rejection appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Fifteen years ago, Renee Reynolds was told that a standalone property management business would never work.

Now, after building her rent roll to more than 1300 properties as director of Release Property Management in Geelong, Renee has proven that not only can the model work, it has a lot of advantages.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Renee talks about why she was quick to start her own property management business and how she grew from zero to more than 1300 properties and three offices.

She also takes a deep dive into her steadfast focus on customer service and how she’s built a team that also lives and breathes this ethos.

Renee also shares with Leanne why she’s now starting to add sales to her business and why legislative changes are pushing many landlords to sell.

“What hasn’t changed from the day we opened the doors 15 years ago is building relationships with your clients.” – Renee Reynolds

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

1:16 – Why Renee started her own property management business and why she eventually added sales into the mix.
4:00 – Why people told her not to go into property management.
5:05 – The reason Renee chose to buy a rent roll after years of building her own.
6:07 – How to make sure your staff have the same customer service values you do.
7:17 – The most effective way to train new staff so they can fit into your team culture and work in multiple roles across the business.
9:10 – How Renee manages staff holiday periods and how to create work/life balance for your team.
10:44 – The new legislation causing property investors to sell and what type of buyers are purchasing the homes.
12:03 – How Renee launched her business and the way she was able to grow her client base.
13:45 – How Renee implements change in her business and gets her team onboard.
15:00 – What the future holds for property management and how Renee encourages in-person contact with her clients.
17:05 – The most effective way to keep your clients up-to-date with current issues in the market by running ‘investor nights’.
18:56 – The best and worst advice Renee has received.

Links mentioned

Release Property Management
LinkedIn

The post <strong>Courageous Conversations: Renee Reynolds on building a property management business that puts the client first</strong> appeared first on Elite Agent.

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The housing crisis across the country is hitting all rungs of society, but for the most vulnerable people in regional areas, it’s reached crisis levels.

Owner and Managing Director of LJ Hooker Taree, Amanda Tate, has seen first-hand just how bad the rental crisis in her community has become, with many young families and vulnerable people unable to find accommodation and forced to live on the street.

In this episode of the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington, Amanda talks about how she’s taken on the task of finding homes for people in need in Taree and why she has even started housing at-risk families in her own private properties.

Leanne and Amanda discuss what’s behind the current housing crisis in regional areas and how Amanda has adopted a “transitional housing” model to help get families and those in need back on their feet and into a home of their own.

Amanda also reveals what she’d like to see from the government and improved policies that would benefit renters, private landlords and the overall community and how she’s now trying to help teenagers who have been caught up in the crisis.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

2:00 – What’s driving the housing crisis in Taree, and why the town has reached a dire situation with people now living on the street.
3:20 – How Amanda is taking a unique approach to solving the housing crisis and is taking measures into her own hands, including buying a hotel to help house high-risk homeless people.
5:00 – Amanda helps tenants from at-risk backgrounds build a good rental history, which then allows them to move to private rentals.
6:44 – How Amanda’s “transitional” housing model has evolved and how it puts a roof over the head of more than 100 families.
8:05 – The best way to manage people who are in temporary housing situations and how she prioritises those in the most need.
9:00 – How to educate tenants, so they understand how to manage a property and the importance of paying your rent on time.
9:30 – A more effective way of managing rental payments and money from charities that the government should consider to better assist tenants and private landlords.
12:01 – The importance of maintaining a good rental reference and how it can impact you for many years if you end up with a black mark against your name.
12:50 – How Amanda wants to focus on youth housing because she sees children as young as 15 forced to try and live by themselves and survive while managing their lives and trying to find a place to live.
14:30 – Why Amanda purchased a motel, converted it into a youth hostel and teaches young people life skills to enable them to get a job, look after themselves and forge their owna path in life.n p

Links mentioned

Samaritans
Compass Housing
Sister to Sister

The post <strong>Courageous Conversations: Amanda Tate on tackling the regional housing crisis head on</strong> appeared first on Elite Agent.

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Auctioneer Clarence White has been crowned the best in his field, but he’s the first to admit it’s been a long journey of rejections and close finishes to get to where he is today.

Though he was never one to shy away from a new challenge, a perfectionist streak meant Clarence would sometimes be quick to move on if things didn’t go according to plan – that is, until an injury forced him to shake up his mindset.

Dealing with the limitations imposed by his injury forced him to reckon with his personal vulnerability, deal with failure and gain a newfound resilience.

These mindset changes would prove instrumental in him taking out the Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS) in 2022, his fifth attempt at the title.

In this Courageous Conversation, Clarence shares his early real estate career trajectory and how his love for the adrenaline rush auctions provide led him to his current path.

He shares his take on what agents are getting wrong with their auction listings and what he does to gain an edge on his competitors and how he makes sure his material always stays fresh.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

1:39 – Clarence shares his early career path and what led him to be an auctioneer
3:23 – How an injury forced a self-reckoning and a change of mindset
6:18 – Early attempts at success and learning from failure
8:27 – How focusing on technical prowess can give you an edge
9:09 – How making training a team effort can be the key to an individual’s success
11:22 – Identifying what drives you to be the best
12:55 – Dealing with the painful feelings that come with rejection
14:58 – What’s next on the competition agenda
16:16 – Insights on the current property market downturn
18:17 – Did The Block auctioneers get it right?
19:20 – Why the practice of calling a property “on the market” isn’t a good strategy.

Links mentioned

• AUSTROS

The post Courageous Conversations: Clarence White on how embracing imperfection transformed his career appeared first on Elite Agent.

High-performance coach Jet Xavier has had a long career having difficult conversations with business leaders and elite agents to try and get the best out of them.

Jet believes In business and life, some of the toughest conversations are often around mental health.

In professional settings, people are encouraged to “toughen up” and not talk about what’s going on in their personal lives which only makes things harder.

In this Courageous Conversation, Jet outlines the problems that elite performers and business owners can face with mental health and how to start bringing these issues out into the open.

Sometimes, you can be doing incredibly well in business, but behind the scenes, your personal life is falling apart, your marriage is struggling, you’re turning to drugs and alcohol and you don’t know how to turn it around.

Jet also talks about why principals need to be able to reach out to their team members to make sure they’re doing OK and the best way to help.

The conversation around mental health is changing and Jet believes everyone needs to take control of their mental well-being which will help them get the best out of their business and their life.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

2:08 – Why so many business owners and agents struggle with mental health
6:01 – Why talking about mental health has been a slow change within the industry
9:02 – How to have the hard discussion on mental health with your team and normalise showing vulnerability instead of just trying to “toughen up”
12:45 – Why the return on investment is so high when you focus on putting people’s mental health first by making for more attractive places to work
14:45 – Why businesses don’t like to offer flexibility and remote work and how your business could benefit from being supportive and promoting new practices
15:31 – The importance of leadership and creating a self-leading team and setting an example to your employees
19:45 – How to go about having hard discussions with someone who is struggling with mental health or personal issues and “why an ear” is often enough
25:01 – Why principals can have trouble having hard conversations with their team and how to listen to what they need.
26:40 – Why real estate isn’t the cause of mental health problems, but it could be the trigger for something else that is going on in our own lives
29:27 – How Leanne manages her mental health and the tools she uses to stay at her best when she feels anxious

 Links mentioned

• Jet Xavier

The post Courageous Conversations: Jet Xavier on bringing mental health battles out into the open appeared first on Elite Agent.

With four RE/MAX offices to her name, Hayley Van de Ven is rightly regarded as a real estate success story.

But that’s not to say every business decision has been easy or created the results she hoped for. In fact, Hayley notes it’s been a journey with more than a couple of hurdles and a few hard lessons along the way, and the reality is there’s little that prepares you for the challenge of running your own business.

In this Courageous Conversation, Hayley shares how she went from real estate receptionist to one of the industry’s finest leaders, why she thrives on the challenge of managing high-performing teams and how the toughest business lessons became some of the most important she’s learnt.

From gaining trust as a leader to creating transparency in business and the importance of being vulnerable, Hayley candidly shares some of her biggest mistakes, what they taught her and why she’s keen to help others navigate the real estate business challenge.

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1.30 – How Hayley went from reception to business owner
• 4.30 – Organic business growth versus acquisition
• 7.15 – The significance of a Tiffany’s basketball and why it represents the achievement of all businesses in the past couple of years
• 10.20 – Why you get to choose your own ‘hard’, and how to manage the challenge of being told ‘you can’t’.
• 12.22 – Why Hayley loves working with high-performers and the role she plays in their success
• 15.22 – The importance of being a vulnerable leader and why it’s critical to have tough conversations
• 16.38 – How to unite the vision of very different business cultures
• 19.05 – How to make the right decision for your entire business
• 21.44 – The toughest business lessons Hayley’s learnt
• 26.34 – The importance of recruitment and retention for business owners.

 Links mentioned

• BDO Business Growth Education
• Hayley Van de Ven: Unlimited
• Unlimited: Hayley Van de Ven on seizing the moment, choosing your energy, and leadership that’s all about service
• Hayley Van de Ven takes over RE/MAX Bayside Properties
• How to create your dream team

The post Courageous Conversations: Hayley Van de Ven on the hard choices that took her from receptionist to industry leader appeared first on Elite Agent.

As one of OBrien Real Estate’s top performing sales agents, Tanja Neven-Jones has enjoyed a career of incredible highs. It’s also had its fair share of devastating lows.

Ten years ago, she was riding high, enjoying all the trappings of real estate success when it all came crashing down. She lost her business, nearly lost her home and investment property, and was forced to start from scratch.

It was a ‘diabolical’ and ‘highly embarrassing’ blow that Tanja still struggles to talk about today.

But she was never going to let her past become bigger than her future and has spent the past decade re-building a successful career with a unique and highly effective approach to prospecting.

Now she’s keen to give back to the industry that has given so much to her via mentoring, speaking and sharing the strategies that have propelled her to success (not just once, but twice).

Some key highlights of this Courageous Conversation, hosted by Leanne Pilkington:

• 1.37 – How OBrien Real Estate supports women in their careers, and why for many successful female agents, it’s all about time management.
• 4.24 – The challenges of being a top-performer in the real estate industry, the tough choices that women need to make and the guilt that can accompany that.
• 9.29 – The key factors that led to the collapse of Tanja’s previous business, and the hard lessons learned.
• 11.41 – How Tanja restarted her career from scratch, why the support of OBriens was key, and the strategies she used to find her feet quickly.
• 17.26 – Why giving is a great way to gain market recognition and build your database, and the unique strategies Tanja and her team use.  
• 23.05 – The importance of delivering relevant information and creating touchpoints long before someone decides to sell a property.
• 26.01 – How Tanja dealt with the mental side of getting up and starting all over again, and why she shares her story to assist others.
• 29.08 – Why Tanja wants to give back to the real estate industry and how she hopes to be a custodian of the future generation of real estate.

Links mentioned:

• OBrien Real Estate
• Michelle Stephens
• Josh Phegan

The post Courageous Conversations: Why Tanja Neven-Jones will never let her past be bigger than her future, and why real estate success is all about giving back appeared first on Elite Agent.

Like a lot of women, Refurb to Invest Chief Executive Officer Corissa Sorbello goes by a few titles. She’s a mum, business owner, entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast, who concedes it’s a balancing act to fulfil all those roles well.

But, contrary to the narrative she grew up with, Corissa firmly believes you can do it all and still enjoy the journey regardless of where it takes you.

It just takes some planning, a healthy dose of time management, a little resilience and the ability to get up and show up no matter what’s happening around you.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Corissa shares an insight into navigating the work-life balance.

She shares why she believes women can have it all and create the life they deserve on their own terms.

As the only girl among five siblings, Corissa explains why she’s bent on changing the narrative of what women can achieve, and how she personally navigated the challenge of running a business during the breakdown of her marriage with two young sons, including a three-month old baby in tow.

Corissa shares the thoughts and beliefs which drove her to get back up in the hard times, and how she went from questioning her life to finding focus and clarity.

She reveals the important role fitness, gratitude and meditation play in her business success and personal life, and how they have helped her embrace creativity and be more present.

In a podcast packed full of energy, a can-do attitude and drive, Corissa also discusses the recent turning point that saw her let go of fear, stop putting off the things she wanted to do and instead start growing her company.

“What you put out is what you attract. I’ve learnt that through all my coaching years, that when you are in a ‘problem’ energy, you just keep attracting problems.” – Corissa Sorbello.

Leanne and Corissa also discuss:

• How Corissa manages her time and creates a work-life balance that includes a focus on family and growing her business.
• Where Corissa finds her creativity and why she has a notebook on hand to ensure she translates those ideas into action.
• Why she stopped saying ‘I’ll get to that sometime’ and instead decided to act now, and the difference that’s made to her business.
• How Corissa structures her day to gain greater productivity and what she’s done to ensure she delegates at the right time.
• Why, as the only female among five siblings, Corissa feels she has a lot to prove and how that’s translated to business success.
• How Corissa is keen to change the narrative about the roles women play and why she’s become a lot more comfortable with herself and her ambition.

And much more…

Links and resources mentioned:

• Refurb to Invest
• Before you Renovate online workshops
• Courageous Conversations – Episode 4

Connect with Corissa

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

The post Courageous Conversations: How Corissa Sorbello got up, showed up and created her best life appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Stockdale and Leggo CEO Charlotte Pascoe never imagined heading up a major real estate group. In fact, she says if you’d put that idea to her even a few years ago, she would have laughed at the prospect.

But in 2020, that perspective changed when she stepped in to lead the group through the challenge of COVID-19 and became one of the very few female chief executives heading up a major franchise group in Australia.

It’s a role she’s taken to naturally, tapping into two decades of real estate experience including a strong background in property management and business growth.

But that’s not to say that transition into leadership came easily.

Like many, she battled imposter syndrome and questioned her own skill. While well-supported by her own brand, she also faced occasional questioning from the wider industry about how she came to be in that role.

In this Courageous Conversion with Leanne Pilkington, Charlotte shares her leadership journey, including how she overcame self-doubt, and why she believes leadership action always speaks louder than words.

She talks about the challenges women can face within the industry, including some of the comments and experiences she has personally endured in the past 20 years.

Charlotte also discusses why she felt compelled to share those experiences at a recent conference and the difference she hopes having that conversation will make.

She looks at what she hopes will change in the future, including the conversations every business needs to have and the cultural shifts that need to be made.

She also shares some of her leadership lessons so far, discussing why opportunity never arrives when you’re ready, and how the best leadership involves collaboration where you support the vision of your team.

“Park the self-doubt. Just say yes if it feels like the right thing to do. If you say yes, then amazing things will happen. You never regret doing these things and giving yourself that push. There’s always great lessons to be learned, even if it doesn’t work.” – Charlotte Pascoe.

Charlotte and Leanne also discuss:

• How a comment from her mum saw Charlotte enter real estate and why property management became her sector of choice.
• The challenges that came with stepping into a CEO position at the height of Covid, and how Charlotte overcame that through action rather than words.
• Why she believes leadership is all about understanding the vision of your team and helping them achieve the success they desire.
• What it’s like to be a young, female CEO and why the support of her brand helped Charlotte overcome her own imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
• Why there’s no playbook when you’re a CEO and how it’s all about gaining confidence in a track record of success while collaborating with your team.
• Why Charlotte believes in saying yes to opportunity, and the lessons it’s taught her in a 20-year career even when things haven’t gone to plan.
• How Charlotte recently spoke up about the sexism and harassment she’s endured during her career and why she believes this is a conversation the industry has to have.
• Why she personally messaged Brittany Higgins, and how the real estate industry can be part of a greater societal shift that ensures every woman feels safe and valued in the workplace.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Stockdale and Leggo
• Jason Pellegrino
• RISE Initiative

Connect with Charlotte

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Charlotte Pascoe on saying yes to opportunity, parking the self-doubt, and the lessons she’s learned as CEO of Stockdale and Leggo appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Kolmeo’s Scott Bateman could quite rightly be described as among the smartest minds in any real estate room. He’s Harvard educated, quick as a whip and a firm fan favourite when it comes to all things business and property management.

What makes this all the more interesting is the fact Scott was a high school dropout.

Kicked out of home and booted from school after falling in with the wrong crowd aged just 15, the success and renown he enjoys today certainly did not come easily.

In fact, getting where he is involved realising some hard truths, actively seeking some new skills and engaging in some serious self-reflection.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Scott looks back on how he went from high-school dropout to chef then Kolmeo CEO.

He shares an insight into his journey, including the pivotal moments that taught him to question who he was and what he wanted from life, and how he reached out for the help he needed to get where he is today.

Real, reflective and very pragmatic, this episode is all about what’s involved in changing course and taking responsibility for your own destiny.

It’s one part a cautionary tale for your teenage child, and another a lesson in personal re-invention. Oh and as it’s Scott, it’s very down to earth, totally relatable and leaves us all in awe that little more.

From aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot, to the reality of being a hardworking chef, and then discovering an uncanny knack for sales and business, this is a story of reinvention and self-realisation.

It’s also a lesson is being vulnerable, owning your weaknesses and reaching out for a helping hand when it’s required.

“All too often we assume that we’re a burden to someone or we’re asking too much. It’s like, no, people actually do enjoy helping you, but you’ve got to be willing to ask and then put in the work. It’s as simple as that.” – Scott Bateman.

Leanne and Scott also discuss

• How Scott narrowly avoided going down the wrong path and carved out a successful career by finding his strengths and realising everyone occasionally needs a helping hand.
• Why, despite dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, he initially became a chef and the lessons it taught him that continue to serve him today.
• How Scott came to be in sales and the strategies he used to consistently improve and gain success.
• Why further education was daunting, how he overcame his fears and why being vulnerable was the best decision he ever made.
• How Scott found himself completing an MBA and then attending Harvard, and what that turnaround taught him.
• Where property management is headed in the future, including the biggest challenges facing the sector.
• Why taking risks and being prepared to fail is essential in the current business landscape.
• Why Scott’s excited about the future of property management, and the lessons that can be learnt from the banking sector.
• How technology accents but can never replace the human factor in real estate,and how to tread the fine line in business.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Elite Retreat
• Kolmeo

Scott on Elite Agent

• Scott Bateman: So, you think you’re a high performer?
• Winning strategy: Scott Bateman on challenging your thinking, transforming your business, and why there is no best service
• Scott Bateman: A new year, a new beginning
• Want to be a great leader? Focus on the followers
• Finding new revenue models in real estate: Scott Bateman and Brock Fisher

Connect with Scott

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: The surprising story of Scott Bateman’s journey from high school dropout to Harvard alumni and Kolmeo CEO appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

As the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, Jen Baird firmly believes in having tough conversations when they matter.

It’s a philosophy that has stood her in good stead throughout her professional life, including leadership positions in both in the real estate industry and beyond.

And that career trajectory has been pretty intriguing, including stints in China, Scotland, London and New Zealand in the fields of public relations, real estate and more recently a local government.

Along the way she’s completed an international management and marketing degree in Shanghai, clocked up a decade at Barfoot & Thompson and secured a coveted, yet unexpected role, on Hamilton City Council before seizing the reins at REINZ last year.

But it’s perhaps her role as the general manager of growth for Hamilton City Council that taught Jen the most critical leadership lessons of all.

At the time, she readily admits she had none of the technical skills normally required for the position. What she did have in spades was strategic thinking, leadership training, and the ability to build great working relationships.

In this Courageous Conversation, Jen shares her leadership insights, including why every leader should know what they need from their team and how they should equip them to provide it.

She looks at the tough conversations she’s had in her career, and notes as a leader it’s your duty to provide and seek honest feedback, and accept it when it’s forthcoming.

Jen also discusses her role at REINZ, including the institute’s current focus, the state of the New Zealand market, how the REINZ is giving data back to their 16,000 members, and why it’s a privilege to represent the real estate sector.

“If you can’t see yourself for the truth of you and you’re not going to let anybody show you, then growth is off the agenda for you.” – Jen Baird.

Leanne and Jen also discuss:

• How Jen found herself in her dream role at Hamilton City Council, and the way she approached a very different interview process to overcome the hurdle of limited technical skills.
• Why she’s a firm believer opportunities are everywhere, but you have to decide what you want before doors start to open.
• How she empowers her team by asking herself what she needs from them, and then equipping them to fulfil that role.
• Why providing honest feedback isn’t about courage, nor your own discomfort, but instead involves providing someone else with the opportunity to grow and improve.
• What Jen loves about her role at REINZ, why she decided to take it on, and what the institute is focusing on at the present.
• How one CEO changed Jen’s career trajectory through a commitment to creating leadership capability while empowering others and propelling them forward.
• The weird and wonderful interview process Jen embarked on to make a career change, and the lessons she learned in the process.
• Why confidence can be deceiving and doesn’t necessarily come naturally, instead requiring practice and a commitment to personal growth.
• How innovation or a shift in direction involves testing the water one small step at a time, rather than stressing about the big picture.
• Why knowing your goal and your purpose assists with clear decision making, and overcomes the fear of risk.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Real Estate Institute of New Zealand
• Barfoot & Thompson

Connect with Jen

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Jen Baird tapped into feedback and tough conversations to shift careers to become an industry leader appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

As one of the industry’s first female CEOs, Sadhana Smiles vividly recalls a time when the real estate industry had a glass ceiling.

Now the head of Real Estate Industry Partners and the Director of Harcourt’s Move, she notes a lot’s changed since, but there’s still ground to be made. She says this was particularly evident at a recent real estate conference where talk turned to the negative experiences many women have encountered in their real estate careers.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Sadhana shares her personal journey as a leader, including how the industry can pave the way for greater diversity and more positive experiences for women in real estate in the future.

She stresses there’s never been a better time to address the issue and create safe and inviting workplace cultures, considering the property management sector has lost 25 per cent of its workforce in the past couple of years.

Here, she offers her insight into how improved workplace culture can be achieved, including the ways the property management sector can attract and retain great talent, along with how women can be further encouraged into high-level real estate roles.

She offers her perspective on the healthy conversations all real estate businesses need to have in the knowledge the behaviour you walk past is what you accept, and says now’s the time to draw a line in the sand to ensure the situations women found themselves in 30 years ago are not repeated in the future.

“The worst thing you can do is when a woman comes up to you and says, ‘I’ve had this issue in the business’ and the director then turns around and says, ‘oh, but that person didn’t mean it’. We need to create a safe place for the women to actually have environments where they feel they can go and talk to someone, bring up an issue, and they’re going to be protected.” – Sadhana Smiles.

Sadhana and Leanne also discuss:

• How real estate businesses can attract and retain great talent, particularly in property management.
• Why creating a great workplace and keeping good people is all about leaders asking themselves ‘do I have the right environment?’.
• How to make your work environment more inviting and ensure the experience is worth more than the money staff might enjoy elsewhere.
• Sadhana’s experience as one of the first female leaders in the real estate sector, and what she hopes has changed in the years since.
• Why Sadhana believes there should not be women specific awards, and how she hopes women in the industry will be celebrated in the future.
• How more women can break through the glass ceiling, and why leaders need to consider who they encourage into leadership roles.
• The conversations real estate businesses and leaders need to have to create greater diversity and security in the industry.
• How leaders can draw a line in the sand and hold people accountable for poor behaviour to change the industry in the future.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Real Estate Industry Partners
• Harcourts Move
• RISE Initiative

Connect with Sadhana

• LinkedIn
• Website

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Sadhana Smiles broke through real estate’s glass ceiling and why she’s encouraging the industry to change the workplace conversation appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

There’s more than one way to look at any situation. Change can be seen as opportunity, or it can evoke fear.

Failure might be viewed as the chance to learn and grow, or it can be something that defines you and holds you back.

How you see any scenario depends on your perspective, says Laing+Simmons Head of Growth and Development Harriet Saunders and whether you choose to embrace it or excuse it depends on whether you operate ‘above the line’ or below it.

Harriet explains ‘above the line’ people own their mistakes and see them as a chance to develop and improve, while those who find refuge below the line are fueled by excuses and the ‘buts’ that inhibit the chance to grow.

In a highly successful real estate career both here and in England, Harriet’s had her share of professional and personal moments where perspective has mattered, including her experience at Purplebricks.

In her 20s, she and her young family left the UK with just three suitcases and a dream of adventure.

Now a single mum with a thriving career, she looks at the ways reframing the perspective has helped shape her success, along with the lessons it has helped her learn.

She notes many of those key lessons came from her time working at disruptor Purplebricks when they made a foray into the Australian market.

Harriet offers an insight into why she believes the model didn’t work here at that time, and how her ability to change perspective allowed her to view the experience as a positive one that shaped her belief sometimes you learn more when you fail than when you succeed.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Harriet looks at what it takes to be someone who embraces ‘above the line’ behaviour where each challenge presents opportunity.

“An above the line mindset is somebody that takes ownership, accountability, and responsibility, which sounds really trite, but it’s actually quite important. It’s about looking at a scenario and saying, I understand that this may or may not be my ‘fault’, but what am I learning from this? What can we do better from this? And it comes down to that – being able to evolve.” – Harriet Saunders.

Harriet and Leanne discuss:

• What it is to be above the line or beneath it, and how this helps you grow in a real estate career.
• Why perspective of any situation is key and how it helps you appreciate another person’s world view and their approach to the task at hand.
• How Harriet became someone who was happy to have tough conversations and the benefits this transparency offers.
• Why intention is the thing that matters most and how you can relay this in the conversations that count.
• Harriet’s story of coming to Australia, including how she manages the work/life balance as a single mum with two children.
• Why success in leadership and any role involves taking responsibility, and how this can help open a much more positive conversation.
• Why where you are now is where you’ve chosen to be and how realising that liberates you to take ownership and accountability.
• What Harriet learned from working with real estate disruptor Purple Bricks and why it’s something she would definitely do again.
• Why feedback is always about offering a different perspective and how you can take it on, without feeling under threat.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Laing+Simmons
• Purple Bricks

Connect with Harriet

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Harriet Saunders changed perspective, created a thriving career, and encouraged others to operate ‘above the line’ appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

No property manager should feel threatened or in danger simply doing their job, but anecdotal evidence suggests some do.

Rent Roll Starter founder Ellen Bathgate is among them. While working in Dubbo as a young property manager, she was physically assaulted by an irate former tenant.

The incident saw Ellen punched in the face, and despite the support of her office staff, directors and the police, it was a frightening encounter which left a lasting impression.

When she first publicly shared this story with the industry, it was also one that resonated, with other property managers coming forward to recount their own experiences of violence and abuse on the job.

In this Courageous Conversation, Ellen discusses what happened, how it impacted her, why it’s a problem for the real estate industry, and what she feels needs to change.

She looks at how de-escalation skills could be beneficial to property managers, especially at a time when the lingering effects of the pandemic have seen people’s stress levels at an all-time high and their tolerance at a new low.

And despite what occurred, Ellen notes the incident did not affect her love of property management. It’s this enthusiasm for the sector that led to her starting her own successful business Rent Roll Starter where she helps others start and build their own property management businesses. 

As a well-known figure in the industry, and a downright decent human being as well, Ellen provides a fascinating insight into some of the lesser-known experiences of the sector’s hardworking property managers. 

She poses some interesting thoughts on why property managers are at the coalface of tough conversations, and offers suggestions about arming your staff with the right resources for when the unexpected occurs.

“I think that there’s a lot of pressure on us as property managers to just grin and bear it. It’s just part of the job being verbally abused or abused on social media or threatened with violence or actually physically assaulted. I think it would be wise for us to ensure that the industry knows it shouldn’t be part of the job.” – Ellen Bathgate

Leanne and Ellen also discuss:

• How the pandemic increased people’s stress levels and altered their behaviour, applying additional pressure to property managers.
• Why property managers find themselves in the firing line from irate tenants and landlords, and how to de-escalate that behaviour.
• How Ellen initially brushed the incident off, why she didn’t press charges and the way in which she’d respond very differently now.
• Why verbal and physical abuse is sometimes considered part of the job, and how the industry can change this perception.
• How the industry responded to Ellen’s story and why it emerged violence and abuse towards property managers was more common than many believed.
• Why even small things like rain on a tin roof can spark fear in the heart of a seasoned PM.
• Why the incident never deterred Ellen from her love of property management and how she came to be her own boss at Rent Roll Starter.
• The key skills and strategies Ellen uses to get other property management businesses off the ground with minimal resources.
• Ellen’s top tips on using social media to build your rent roll quickly, with minimal outlay and maximum effect.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Ellen’s assault story
• Rent Roll Starter

Ellen Bathgate on Elite Agent

• The age of automation
• What happens if you build it but no-one comes
• Why failure teaches you more than success
• The three best tech tools for growing your rent roll

Connect with Ellen

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

The post Courageous Conversations: How Ellen Bathgate overcame a tenant assault, why it’s not a one-off and how the real estate industry should respond appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

What do you need to ‘do, be and have’ to take the next step in life – whether that’s in your career, your business, or in your personal life?

Speaker and business coach Leona Watson says those are the three areas you need to consider when it comes to making a major decision or change, but too often people focus on the to-do list and forget the rest.

As a successful entrepreneur who has made her fair share of tough decisions. Leona reflects the ‘be’ and ‘have’ are ‘where the gold is’, allowing you to remove emotion and take action.

And she should know.  In 2002, Leona founded events and team building company the Cheeky Food Events. She sold it a few months before before Covid hit.

In hindsight, that might seem like a lucky break, with the events industry hit hard by Covid lockdowns and social distancing.

But it was no easy decision to part with a company she had spent 17 years building from scratch.   

In this Courageous Conversation, Leona offers an insight into the tough decision making and mindset that allowed her to create a highly successful business, sell it when the time was right, and forge a new career as a business coach.

She discusses why business ownership is like any relationship, where there are moments when you couldn’t imagine being anywhere else and times where you ‘fall out of love’ with your business.

Deciding whether to stay or go then comes back to knowing your why, and working out what you need to do, be and have to get to where you want to go.

And in real estate, Leona says that’s particularly important in the present, where agents should be re-evaluating what they need to do, be and have to manage a market shift.

Leona also discusses the tough conversations business owners and leaders need to have with themselves, noting there are moments when you need to dial up and down elements of your personality to be the leader people want at the helm.

In a podcast that will resonate with business owners, leaders and real estate professionals at all stages of their career, Leona also discusses failure, the sweetness of success, and why agents need to build relationships with clients that customers will talk about with love.

“The Rupert Murdochs, the Bransons, the Trumps – all those people – they also get stuff that goes wrong too. Often humiliatingly, in public. They have husbands or wives who might leave them, daughters who put nude photos up on the internet, their best friend gets cancer. They go through all those same things. Their businesses go up and down. They hurt just as much, but they have the ability to get back up quicker.” – Leona Watson

Leona and Leanne also discuss:

• How Leona built a highly successful business through networking, tenacity, and picking up the phone.
• Why she knew the time was right to sell that business, how she came to the decision, and the lessons she learned along the way.
• How Leona used the ‘what do I need to do, be and have?’ question to successfully negotiate that sale, and why that also applies to real estate.
• Why, if you’re sacrificing kindness to yourself to be seen ‘doing, doing, doing’ to get a leadership role, then you need to reconsider, and how that involves a Courageous Conversation with yourself.
• How to dial up and down the right personality traits at the right time, and why Jacinda Ahearn might just be a master in this space.
• Why Leona disagrees with the current rhetoric around failure being the pathway to success and how it should be viewed through a different lens.
• How to park the perfectionism, and why it’s important to learn to stop, enjoy a success, and then consider what could have been done better.
• Leona’s personal advice for real estate agents when it comes to building great relationships that people remember, come back to, and speak about to their friends.

And much, much, more…

Links and resources mentioned:

Connect with Leona

• Linkt.ee
• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Leona Watson parked the perfectionism; decided what to ‘do, be and have’; and built a successful business appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Imagine moving halfway around the world to restart your real estate career from scratch.

That’s exactly the position Louise Barton found herself in when she took the plunge and booked a ticket from Scotland to Sydney.

Armed with a working visa and the belief Sydney was one of the best real estate markets in the world, Louise set out to forge a fresh career in a town where she knew no-one and had nothing but a suitcase worth of clothes.

She would either make it or come home, tail between her legs…

Five years later and Louise has built a readily recognisable brand as an agent with Richardson & Wrench North Sydney.

But it wasn’t always easy or without its hurdles. There were temp jobs along the way and the temptation to shift careers totally.

However, persistence has well and truly paid off for an agent who had an unshakable belief in her skillset and an unwavering faith she could make it in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Louise shares what drew her to Sydney, how and why she backed herself, and what changed the playing field to see her interviewing agencies, rather than vice versa.

She offers an insight into the mindset that helped her attain success, along with how she’s used social media to build an established brand.

Along the way, Louise talks about her approach to customer service, the skills that translate regardless of what market you’re operating in, and how she’s setting her team up for success in a Sydney market that’s quickly turning.

“I’m up against people that have been born and bred here. They’ve done it for a very long time, but luckily I always believed in my ability and failing wasn’t an option. And I think if you’ve got that mindset, then you are going to make it. You’ve got to believe in yourself. And then everyone else around you will start believing in you.” – Louise Barton.

Louise and Leanne also discuss:

• How Louise went from Scottish standalone agent to a stint in recruitment then found her feet in Sydney real estate sales.
• Why Louise felt Sydney was the place to be, and how she overcame the challenge of no local network and little market knowledge to build a successful Australian real estate career.
• What Louise did to find an agency that aligned with her vision and how she used that to build her own social media brand.
• Why Louise never lost sight of the fact she had the sales skillset required, and how she shifted the power balance to select the agency she wanted to work for.
• What inspired Louise to take a major leap, and why she knew she was in need of a totally new challenge.
• Why culture and vision emerged as the most critical agency attributes Louise was looking for and how she avoided falling into ‘the shark’s pit’.
• How Louise re-started her sales career at the height of the pandemic, and why true real estate skill is all about shaking off property market hype.
• How Louise is building a Sydney team that gets back to selling basics, regardless of what the property market is doing.
• Why real estate skills are transferrable to any market, anywhere, and how Louise is using that knowledge to build her own brand.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Louise Barton: Rising to the challenge
• Richardson & Wrench North Sydney
• Tom Panos

Connect with Louise

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Louise Barton created a successful real estate career in Sydney with mindset, self-belief, and a commitment to customer service appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Looking back on a 20-year real estate career, Sydney auctioneer Emma Brown-Garrett has two key pieces of advice: have the patience to find your niche and seek out someone who will mentor and believe in you.

Emma notes it wasn’t until both these elements fell into place that she found her true calling as a highly successful female auctioneer.

And it took her a lot of false starts, a whole host of perseverance and a near exit from the industry to get where she is today.

Now two decades into a career that initially appealed for its glamour and excitement, Emma has truly found her feet as an auctioneer at Menck White who also thrives on the challenge of auction competitions.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Emma shares her real estate journey, including why she feels her real estate career has just begun, and how she persevered to get where she is today.

She discusses what success looks like and why it’s deeply personal, the achievements she’s most proud of, and how she balances a career with family life.

Emma also looks at the importance of finding a good mentor, and how her mentor took her career to the next level by identifying a skillset she never knew she had.

She offers an insight into the relentless commitment to training which keeps her at the top of her game, shares some thoughts on female leadership in the industry, and offers some key tips for young agents starting out who may not yet know where their destiny lies.

In the process, Emma discusses the work/life balance that comes with raising a family and why it’s okay to have goals and aspirations that extend beyond the role of motherhood.

She also offers some sage advice on why success is something you find when you least expect it, and how it’s important to believe in yourself, back your ambition and have the patience to know if you work hard, train hard, and surround yourself with the right people, your time will come.

“I’ve just started my career and this is something that I wish someone had told me when I was younger. If they’d said to me that at 44-years-old you’ll be starting your career. Everything else leading up to it is steps and they’re chapters in your book that lead you this amazing chapter. But I cannot believe that I’m now really embarking on my true career.” – Emma Brown-Garrett

Emma and Leanne also discuss:

• How Emma came into real estate, and why it took tenacity, perseverance and a jar of Keen’s Mustard to get a foot in the door of real estate sales.
• Why her career faltered on numerous occasions, and included sales and property management before she realised auctioneering might just be her true calling.
• How Emma’s previous experience as a sales agent is one of her greatest auctioneering strengths.
• Why she almost exited the industry and how a chance phone call from someone who believed in her turned it all around.
• How competitive auctioneering helps Emma hone her craft, and why she would love to see more women join her in the competition space.
• Why getting into auctioneering proved a chicken and egg scenario where you need the experience to get the job and the job to get the experience, and how Emma overcame this.
• How Emma juggles a career with a young family and why she believes it’s important her children see her ambition and success.
• What Emma is most proud of in a lengthy real estate career and what she would tell her younger self about the definition of success.
• Emma’s advice to younger agents starting out in the industry and why there’s a niche for everyone.
• Why she now feels more connected to the real estate industry than ever before and how it revolved around the realisation she has finally found her place.

And much, much more…

Leanne Pilkington will be on hand at Elite Retreat from 31 July to 3 August, helping attendees create memorable mission statements and marketing that allow them to find their point of difference and stand out from the crowd.

You can find out more about Elite Retreat and the lineup of speakers and experts attending here.

Links and resources mentioned

• Clarence White

Connect with Emma

• Menck White Auctioneers
• LinkedIn 

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on
• Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Emma Brown-Garrett on finding your niche, the power of a great mentor and why her career has only just begun appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

After two years in the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, Anna Neelagama discusses how far the industry has come, the major challenges that lie ahead, and how the REIA intends to address them.

When Anna Neelagama took on the position of REIA CEO, little did she realise a pandemic would promptly see her plunged into unchartered real estate waters.

Closed borders, rental moratoriums and social distancing all saw the industry in the spotlight while both sales agents and property managers were grappling with constantly shifting legislation and the very real challenge of trying to secure a roof over people’s heads.

In this Courageous Conversation, Anna discusses her real estate baptism of fire and how she went from someone with no inside experience of the industry to advocating the sector’s needs on the national stage.

She talks about how, in the wake of Covid, the exodus of property managers has emerged as the single biggest challenge facing the industry and what the REIA is doing to assist.

Anna also looks at the age-old issue of a single rule book for agents across the country, noting this is an issue dating back to the REIA’s inception almost a century ago.

But now, 100 years later, she explains the REIA is finally making progress, and offers an insight into exactly how that’s being achieved, and why it’s not been as simple as many might believe.

Anna also examines how the industry can showcase the critical role agents and property managers play and why people need to appreciate that buying or selling property ranks alongside all the major life milestones.

She shares what she has been surprised to learn since taking on the sector’s top job, and looks at why she remains inspired to be the industry’s most passionate advocate.

“The reality is we have made an extraordinary amount of progress. The institutes themselves are very much on the same page when it comes to standards of training, of licensing and of on-the-job compliance. So the industry leads with that regard. The regulators simply haven’t caught up. And what we’d like is for state and federal governments to come to the party and meet us there” – Anna Neelagama.

Leanne and Anna also discuss:

• Why Anna wanted to advocate for the real estate industry and how she embraced the role of REIA CEO through an immersive process that culminated in a 100-day plan.
• Why having no experience inside the industry proved an advantage and how it helped Anna identify industry opportunity.
• What the REIA has accomplished in the two years since she took on the role, and how they are helping address issues like single-licensing and the skill shortage in property management.
• Why the exodus of skilled property managers is the single biggest issue facing the industry and how PMs should be recognized for bearing the brunt of enforcing legislation during a pandemic
• How the REIA is working towards single licensing and why it’s been an issue on the industry body’s agenda for almost a century, but is now close to coming to fruition.  
• How single licensing will work and why it’s a lot like driver’s licences, which are standardised via national technology.
• Why the real estate industry is setting the bar when it comes to good practice and proactive initiatives, but the government now needs to come to the party.
• Why real estate professionals and the job they do needs to be better promoted to the public and how the REIA intends to tackle this in the future.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Real Estate Institute of Australia
• Cathy Baker -Belle Property

Anna Neelagama on Elite Agent

• The road ahead for REIA: Anna Neelagama
• REIA announce new CEO, Anna Neelagama

Connect with Anna

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Anna Neelagama became the industry’s greatest advocate, and why she has single licensing, the PM skills shortage and sector recognition firmly in her sights appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Having led some two of the industry’s best known real estate groups to success, it might come as a surprise to hear Barry Plant Chief Executive Officer Nigel O’Neil say he was a ‘terrible leader’ when he first started out as a business turnaround expert more than 20 years ago.

But he states he was. Although he loved improving businesses, it wasn’t until he drew on emotional intelligence and embraced a ‘servant leadership’ style that he found the ability to bring people together and have them accept change.

Drawing on his extensive experience in finance and banking, Nigel has now helped businesses in a range of industries improve their processes and procedures, find their unique culture, and improve their results.

In this Courageous Conversation, Nigel shares his journey from chartered accountant to real estate CEO, discussing why the industry is unique but, at its core, still the same as any other business.

He discusses the importance of measuring customer satisfaction, why it all comes back to process and procedure, and how to engage your team so your company culture attracts talent and retains it.

Nigel also looks at some of the biggest challenges ahead for the industry, and how leaders can prepare for them now.

He discusses client feedback, and why it’s critical to service-based business like real estate but is not just about seeking reviews and testimonials.

Noting leadership is a privilege, he also offers a thought provoking insight into the leadership style that has seen people change industries to remain part of his team.

“To me, being a servant to the team means I’m here to develop the business. I’m here to help them develop as people. So, it’s a simple mantra that if something goes wrong, it’s on me, and if something goes well, it’s them…” – Nigel O’Neil

Leanne and Nigel also discuss:

• What surprised Nigel the most when he came into the real estate industry, and why the emotion makes it different to any other industry.         
• How Nigel went from growing up on a farm to accountant, business turnaround expert and highly regarded real estate leader.
• The key moments that defined him as a leader and helped him formulate his servant leadership style.
• Why great leadership is all about looking in the mirror when something goes wrong and out the window to thank your team when things go right.
• What Nigel believes real estate business operators should measure, and why the whole industry is based on process and procedure.
• How he believes real estate businesses can improve their operation by focusing on customer service across both property management and sales, and why the two should never be viewed in isolation.
• Why leadership is a privilege where the mistakes need to be owned by the person at the helm.     
• How he identifies blindspots in a business and why they provide a critical insight into training opportunities.
• How the industry should address labour and talent shortages that will become increasingly obvious in the period ahead.
• Why there’s no point recruiting people into a bad culture, and how leaders can shift that culture to see their team more engaged.

Plus much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned:

• Fresh eye from the corporate guy: Nigel O’Neil
• Nigel O’Neil: Servant leadership and why you need to ditch the ego
• The perfect hybrid: a tech savvy agent who listens
• Nigel O’Neil takes top Barry Plant job with clear vision for the future
• Who comes first: The customer or your team?

Connect with Nigel

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on
• Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE  

The post Courageous Conversations: How Nigel O’Neil uses servant leadership to engage his team, change culture, and improve business results appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

When it comes to domestic violence, there are few people with as much access to what happens behind closed doors as a property manager.

After all, what other professions have the right to regularly enter a home, assess its condition and get a feel for what’s happening behind the scenes?

That’s why Solutions Property Management owner Laura Valenti believes real estate professionals have an opportunity and an obligation to make a real difference.

This stance, and the initiatives she has put in place as a result, saw Laura named the Most Influential Woman in the Property Market at the REA awards in 2020.

In the time since, Laura has been developing a two-pronged approach to ensure the property management industry steps up to help survivors of domestic and family violence.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Laura shares an insight into how real estate can play a role in recognising domestic and family violence, and helping its survivors.

She shares the easy steps agencies can take to ensure the issue is on their radar, that their staff know what to do, and how they can help survivors access the help they need to re-establish their lives.

With no experience of domestic violence personally, Laura explains the issue is far more common than many would believe and the past two years have shone a spotlight on just how prevalent the problem is.

And that’s just one of the issues that came to light for the property management sector during Covid.

In a wide-ranging podcast, Laura also discusses the personal toll Covid-19 has taken on business leaders, and how the property management industry has altered in the period since.

She touches on the stress many PMs have endured, the mass exodus from the industry, and also looks at how the property management industry has changed permanently as a result.

“Housing is just intrinsically entwined with helping people get out of a DFV situation, because if there was a place to go to, then that’s the first step. They leave, have a safe place and then start to get all of the things they need – the counselling, the connection to legal services – so that they can start to rebuild their lives. But you can’t have any of that if you don’t have a safe place to stay.” Laura Valenti.

Laura and Leanne also discuss

• The clear signs of domestic violence and what property managers and other real estate professionals can do to assist.
• How to educate your team about the signs of domestic and family violence and why it’s incumbent upon every member of the industry to take note.
• Why domestic violence is a problem that affects far more people than many would expect, and how the real estate industry needs to take a two-pronged approach to address it.
• How Laura and her team navigated the challenges of Covid, and why the toll it took on property managers and business leaders is just beginning to be recognised.
• Why the industry is changing as a result of the past two years, and the trends that will remain long after the memory of a pandemic has faded.
• How Laura’s approach to staffing has had to shift and why the traditional portfolio manager is a role that could soon fade into obsolescence.
• Where the property management industry is headed to from here, and why it’s so challenging for experts to predict what will happen next.
• How, as a leader, Laura is altering her business model to cater to shifts in the industry to stabilise then grow.
• Why now is the time to over-service your clients and bring them with you on the changed property management journey.

Plus much, much more.

Links and resources mentioned

• Real Estate Institute of Queensland
• REIQ’s Domestic and Family Violence toolkit
• SafeHome Alliance
• AREAs winners 2020

Connect with Laura

• Website
• LinkedIn

This episode of Courageous Conversations contains sensitive subject matter regarding mental health and potentially confronting or triggering topics. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health or anything mentioned in this episode triggers you, please remember that help is available 24 hours a day from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The post Courageous Conversations: How Laura Valenti stepped up to tackle domestic violence in the face of a changing property management sector appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

What one thing would you change in your life right now which would make the greatest difference to your future?

That’s the key question empowerment expert and celebrity consultant Kathryn Ford asks each client she works with as she seeks to help women design their ‘incredible next chapter’.

It’s an approach that is based on Kathryn’s own life experience of turning tragedy into triumph and is the successful concept that saw her found the Excellence Institute in 2013.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Kathryn shares her insight into the mind-body connection and how she used it to overcome a series of personal challenges, including a rare disease, a devastating misdiagnosis, and a toxic marriage that ultimately saw her husband draw a gun on her.

Kathryn notes people often can’t identify what’s holding them back, but chances are there is one defining element that has flow-on effects to everything else.

Whether it’s work that affects your relationships, relationships that impact health, or health that impacts work, those three elements of life can’t be viewed in isolation, she explains.

Instead, you need to find the key and focus on the person as a whole, and when you do, there’s an opportunity to take a ‘quantum leap’ towards true happiness.

In a conversation that offers a fascinating insight into mindset, self-awareness and the art of unlocking success, Kathryn shares her story of overcoming adversity and the tools she used to turn her own life around while also assisting others.

“The results in your life that you would love are there. It’s just a matter of learning how to focus,” – Kathryn Ford.

Leanne and Kathryn also discuss:

• How Kathryn managed a devastating multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis and used mind-body theory to effectively redesign her life.
• Why a toxic relationship has wide ranging effects that extend far beyond your emotional wellbeing, and how to recognise the impacts and rebuild.
• The questions you should ask yourself if your life feels lacking or happiness seems beyond your grasp, and why one key issue can help unlock the three life areas of health, work and love.
• Why your mind is the most important real estate you will ever manage, and how to shake off the paradigms of the sub-conscious, release them, and shift your thinking.
• How to alleviate stress and unhappiness by consistently asking yourself one simple, but critical question.
• Why we get what we focus on and how to change the view by noticing where your attention lies.
• Where to start if you’re looking to find joy, peace and empowerment in all areas of life.
• The business stress management tools which apply to every profession and can help you get out of the fight and flight mindset which has dire impacts on your health.

And much, much more

Links and resources mentioned

Connect with Kathryn

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on
• Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE  

The post Courageous Conversations: How Kathryn Ford turned illness into empowerment and why your mind is the most important real estate you will ever manage appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Rebecca Wiener McGregor is widely regarded as one of the best hypnotists and money mindset mentors in the US. Renowned for her spiritual practice and gratitude meditation, she has empowered the lives of thousands of people to achieve their vision and purpose. 

But as this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington reveals, it’s not an easy road to achieve the transformation, it’s a physical, mental and spiritual journey that in time will create certainty, clarity, and emotional freedom in your life.

In this deeply personal podcast, Rebecca reveals how she blends hypnosis, mindfulness and breathing, to create clarity of personal and business values.

She shares the thought process that has allowed her to push through the darkest of times to come out stronger and more empowered than ever. 

With her Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), along with neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Rebecca offers essential tips on self-care, finding the positive, and seeking out the space and support you need when times get tough.

She offers an insight into how mentoring has allowed her clients to emerge stronger, more resilient and with more exciting plans for their businesses ahead.

Rebecca also takes the time to share her expert advice on how to focus on a life without negative judgement but finding the balance to create a lifestyle that feels you, not like you think you should feel. 

“When you get into that practice of practising gratitude, where you’re writing down what you’re grateful for, what happens is that your brain starts to look for more good in your life. All the time. I have goosebumps right now because when I started practising gratitude, it saved my emotional life” – Rebecca Wiener McGregor

Rebecca and Leanne also discuss

• Why it’s essential to clarify how much time you want to work and how much money you want to make to create your ideal work/life balance
• Why self-care is essential and how to ensure you take the time out and space you need with the right people around you when things get tough
• How to visualise your personal and business values to achieve your short and long term goals
• Why it’s important to slow down occasionally in order to speed up and the things people need to do to ensure they meet their goals
• How to re-embrace the joy of your professional career and convey that to your clients
• How to open your creative channels to abundance and become the most successful version of yourself
• The steps to build a dream life and business by your own standards and values

And much, much more 

Links and resources mentioned

Connect with Rebecca

• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

The post Courageous Conversations: How Rebecca Wiener McGregor blends hypnosis, mindfulness and breathing to create a master wellbeing mindset appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

When successful agency owners Kylie Maxwell and her husband Jason sold their business in Queanbeyan, New South Wales last year, many in the industry were surprised.

After all, here was a couple at the top of their game, with a highly successful LJ Hooker office, an enviable market share and a renowned reputation in the industry.

But as Kylie explains, it was an opportunity too good to pass up and one they weren’t sure would present itself again in a couple of years’ time.

It also provided the opportunity to explore other areas of the industry that Kylie was passionate about.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Kylie offers an insight into the thinking behind the sale, how it was a proposal that came out of the blue, and why they were fortunate to have a business that was sale-ready, despite no intentions to sell.

She explains the role good processes and procedures play when it comes to property management, why every agency owner should audit their business annually, and why the systems they had in place allowed them to seize the unexpected opportunity.

Kylie also reflects on a 30-year career in the industry, including a brush with burnout that many will relate to.

She discusses the challenge of being a leader and a people pleaser, and the changes she made to her leadership style in order to better manage her time, her energy, and the work/life balance.

In a podcast that’s part business best-practice, part property management masterclass, and part lessons in leadership, Kylie offers a wealth of tips, some stellar advice based on experience and a truly personal insight into why she is rightly regarded as one of the best real estate practitioners in the industry.

“If you have a business and it is in your five-year plan to sell your rent roll, don’t wait until you’re tired of it and you’ve run it into the ground. Do it while you’re still actively working in it, and you’re vibrant and it’s got a good reputation and you’ve got a good asset to sell,” Kylie Maxwell

Kylie and Leanne also discuss:

• How Kylie and Jason created a sale-ready business where they could seize on unexpected opportunity.
• Why every agency director should know exactly what’s going on in their property management department, and audit their business each year.
• How Kylie and Jason came to the decision to sell, and why it was the perfect opportunity to give back to an industry where they have enjoyed success.
• Why Kylie was an accidental leader, who decided to stop winging it and start owning it, and what she did to improve her leadership skills.
• How Kylie got to a point of burnout by taking on too much at work, being all things to all people, and what she did to step back and create a better work/life balance.
• Why Kylie’s changed leadership perspective actually empowered her team and allowed her business to operate more effectively.
• How Kylie improved her leadership skills and why she believes every leader should always be learning.
• What Kylie believes needs to change in the property management sector, and why the industry needs to reimagine the way PMs are brought into a business.
• What Kylie’s up to now and how it caters to her commitment to give back to real estate.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned:

• Real+
• Jason Maxwell
• White Rhino Property

Kylie on Elite Agent

• Big changes afoot in Queanbeyan real estate sector
• Women to the front: Real estate industry leaders share their secrets of success
• If it were Day 1 in real estate again… what would you do differently?
• What I learned as a self taught leader: Kylie Maxwell
• Kylie Maxwell: The Wisdom of Hindsight
• Kylie Maxwell: Challenge Accepted

Connect with Kylie

• Website
• LinkedIn

The post Courageous Conversations: How Kylie Maxwell embraced unexpected leadership, bounced back from burnout, and built a sought-after business appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

While the real estate industry might have stood at a precipice of unknowns during Covid-19, the entertainment and events sector was forced into total freefall.

Events dried up, entertainment was off the cards, and every corporate gathering was cancelled.

So what do you do when your entire industry collapses? Well you pivot, and pivot again, in the hope one of those pirouettes pays off.

That’s exactly the situation Nicole White and her company Rock and Roll Team Building found themselves in over the past two years.

But in the face of extreme adversity and a landscape of business fear, she and business partner Ciaran Gribbin of INXS didn’t give up.

Instead, they used their love of music and their background in team building to help businesses and individuals manage the mental uncertainty and anxiety of a pandemic.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Nicole discusses how creating and experiencing music can help bring people together and foster wellbeing.

She shares the highs and lows of working in the entertainment industry over the past couple of years, including navigating the heartbreak of watching events dry up and finding the successful business she had built was on the brink of closure.

Nicole also offers an insight into how sound therapy and music alleviate stress and how the creation of music can bring a corporate team together in a whole new way.

“One of the main tools that music therapists use in their work is actually songwriting. So being able to work with someone who’s experienced trauma or who is experiencing depression and anxiety, or has had a tough time in life, allowing them to articulate that through songs – through writing, putting words to music – is a really powerful therapy tool,” Nicole White.

Leanne and Nicole also discuss:

• How Nicole turned a music career into a highly successful team building business sought after by corporations in Australia and the US.
• Why music and its creation can allow even the most reserved of corporate teams to come together, drop their inhibitions and engage.
• How breathing, music and sound can offer the calm that your team needs in a highly unpredictable world.
• What the music and events industry experienced during Covid lockdowns, and how they came together to find strength and resilience.
• Why business leaders need to continue to ask their team how they are and actively listen to the response to ensure their wellbeing.
• How you can use music and sound to start your day in a way that’s more relaxed, yet still feel ready to take on the world.
• Why providing employees with tools and information allows them to better manage their mental health and wellbeing.
• How sound therapy and music can raise the energy of the workplace and create a brighter, happier calmer team environment.
• Plus much, much more

Links and resources mentioned

• Rock and Roll Team Building
• Vibrate Your Mind
• Frank Fitzpatrick
• Breath – James Nestor

Connect with Nicole

• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on
• Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Nicole White brought her events business back from the brink and why music can be the key to both team building and wellness appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day activity of being in real estate that you can overlook other areas of your life.

In a market like the present that’s particularly the case, where agents and property managers find themselves making one more deal, one more phone call, sending one more email and soon realise they’re working seven days a week.

That was exactly the position real estate recruitment expert Virginia Brookes found herself in back in 2020.

After a tough couple of years, the industry had only just bounced back and as a business owner she was working relentlessly when the first wave of Covid saw 95 per cent of her business evaporate overnight.

She was exhausted before the strain of lockdowns even began.

What she did next helped her regain her perspective, prioritise her family, and allowed her to say yes to her dreams.

In a Courageous Conversation that is all about regaining the work/life balance, Virginia talks about the importance of getting your priorities right, of taking time out when you need to, of saying yes to experiences and no to never-ending work demands.

She shares the lessons she learned by taking time out from her business, along with the benefits it provided her personally, and the tough decisions it helped her make.

Virginia also offers an insight into the strategies she uses now to ensure she doesn’t fall back into workaholic habits.

Through the lens of a recruitment expert, Virginia then talks about the mass exodus of property managers from the real estate industry, and gives her tips on how agencies can help retain staff, assure them of their value and set them up for the period ahead.

“Something else has got to sometimes take priority other than work. Because as a business owner, you just get entrenched and you get obsessed and you always want to do better, and you forget some of the stuff that is going to be there one day after business.” Virginia Brookes.

Leanne Pilkington and Virginia also discuss:

• Why Virginia knew she needed a break from business and how she found the time and the courage to take it.
• The benefits that an extended break provided in terms of business perspective, family connection and Virginia’s personal wellbeing.
• How that break allowed her to make important life changing decisions and more meaningful conversations.
• Why it’s critical to stop putting things off and start saying yes to positive life choices outside of work, and how that helps you become a more well-rounded person.
• The strategies Virginia has since put in place to ensure she doesn’t let work take over her life again.
• How focusing on things beyond work improved Virginia’s business, lifestyle and general wellbeing.
• Why agencies should be paying attention to the health and wellbeing of their property managers at the moment, and the strategies they can put in place to retain talent.
• How great leadership and an effective team thrives on ownership, acceptance and responsibility.

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Resolver Recruitment
• Real Estate Institute of Australia

Connect with Virginia

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on
• Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Virginia Brookes went from burnout to balance, and the benefits it offered her business appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

After starting in off-the-plan sales aged 21, Lara Moro has enjoyed a highly rewarding and successful 30-year career in real estate that unites her expertise in marketing and sales.

Along the way, she has worked with some of the country’s best known hi-rise developers.

But that doesn’t mean it was an easy or quick decision to start her own business. Instead, Lara explains it was a long time coming, despite her friends consistently urging her to back herself and take the leap.

Now, that leap is well and truly paying off. Just two years after launching her own brand, Lara has been named among 15 property experts to watch by the Australian Business Journal.

Working with developers and buyers, Lara specialises in assisting developers market and sell their project. She also works with buyers to help them make the right decision when it comes to purchasing an apartment.

Looking back, Lara reflects the buyers’ advocate role in the apartment space was a gap in the market that needed filling, allowing downsizers, property hunters and investors to make educated choices.

In this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Lara talks about creating a career that unites her extensive sales and marketing experience with a commitment to mentoring others.

She shares an insight into what finally prompted her to start her own brand, including the unique services she offers.

Lara also discusses how she came to be in project marketing and sales, and why it was a career she was destined for since she was a child.

In a podcast that’s all about finding your niche, embracing your skills and picking the moment to take the leap required, Lara also talks about dealing with the negative voice in your head and the strategies she uses to make tough decisions.

“For years, I said I’m going to work for myself. And then I would work for a developer and work as a channel manager or in their sales and marketing team…but then I just thought, no, enough’s enough.

“It’s been a great experience to work with some of Melbourne’s best developers. I just feel that now I can offer my expertise and be a lot more impartial.” Lara Moro

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Lara also discuss:

• How Lara fell in love with real estate and construction at a young age
• Why she quickly found her feet in project sales, and used a range of additional skills to her advantage
• How those skills translated to the hi-rise project space and allowed her to work with some of Australia’s best developers
• What finally prompted Lara to step into her own business, and how a pandemic gave her the time and perspective she needed
• The two-pronged approach that Lara takes which sees her help both developers and buyers, and why she loves the idea of mentoring
• Why Lara describes herself as a real estate matchmaker who helps people make the right decisions for their lifestyle
• How Lara came to be named one of 15 property professionals to watch by the Australian Business Journal
• The strategies Lara uses to make tough decisions and why her first priority is to take the personal out of it and consider things from a different perspective

And much, much more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Prima Pearl Tower, Melbourne
• Australian Business Journal – 15 property experts to watch in 2021

Connect with Lara

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Lara Moro on finding your niche, knowing your worth, and stepping outside your comfort zone appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Sherrie Storor is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the industry. Renowned for her can-do attitude and positive mindset, she has worked hard, achieved success as an agent, lost it all then reinvented herself to emerge as a sought-after real estate coach.

But as this Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington reveals, behind that bright, smiling demeanour is a personal struggle that Sherrie has been navigating for the past couple of years.

And it’s forced someone who views herself as an ‘agent of change’ to accept a situation she may not be able to alter.

In this deeply personal podcast, Sherrie reveals the hidden struggle she has been grappling with and how it has affected her personally and professionally.

She shares the thought process that has allowed her to push through, despite riding an emotional rollercoaster that vacillates between hope and loss.

With her new-found perspective, Sherrie offers essential tips on self-care, finding the positive, and seeking out the space and support you need when times get tough.

She offers an insight into what this experience has taught her and how it has allowed her to emerge stronger, more resilient and with exciting plans for her business ahead.

Sherrie also takes the time to share her expert advice on where agents should be focusing in the year ahead, why real estate should shake off the mantra of ‘hustle and grind’, and how industry professionals can achieve a work-life balance.

“There is something about pushing through and the show must go on. And really, you know, honestly, one of the big things that I have noticed in working with agents and high-performers and high-performing business owners, is that they also have this skill too. They are able to be completely broken, receive the most tragic and terrible news and go into a listing presentation within the next hour.” Sherrie Storor

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Sherrie and Leanne also discuss

• Why self-care is essential and how to ensure you take the time out and space you need with the right people around you when things get tough
• What agents should be doing right now to level up for 2022, and why this year is not about the mantra of ‘hustle and grind’
• Why industry professionals looking to enjoy a life outside of real estate need to get ‘really good at their job’ and tips on where they should start
• How to re-embrace the joy of a real estate career and convey that to your market
• Why agents need to engage on social media, how they can incorporate it into their processes, and what they need to do to
• How to build a celebrity profile and then convert it into meaningful relationships with clients
• Why it’s important to slow down occasionally in order to speed up and the things agents need to do to ensure they meet their goals
• What Sherrie is up to next and the courses that have allowed agents to double and triple their income, with some even increasing it five-fold

And much, much more  

Links and resources mentioned

• Courageous Conversations Episode 2
• Million Dollar Agent
• Real Women in Real Estate

Sherrie on Elite Agent

• How these agents quadrupled their earnings
• Levelling up: How to grow from real estate agent to million dollar agent
• Six great mastermind insights
• Sherrie Storor’s mastermind clients finished EOFY having their best sales year ever

Connect with Sherrie

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Sherrie Storor on why the show must go on and how agents can achieve success without the hustle and grind appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Inspire Realty founder Colin Lee had always dreamed of starting his own business, but it wasn’t until fate threw a curveball that he found the courage to take the leap.

In November 2019, he was heading up a major division of a property investment services company in Sydney when he was unexpectedly made redundant due to a business restructure.

At the time, his wife was seven months pregnant, Christmas was fast approaching, and Colin was faced with one the biggest decisions he would make in his life.

He could scramble to find another job or take the plunge into entrepreneurship, drawing on the skills accumulated in a 13-year property management, sales and property investment career.

Faced with uncertainty and doubt, but keenly aware of the ambition burning inside him, Colin notes it was a tough and scary decision to make.

Ultimately, he would make it with the assistance of a mentor, starting Inspire Realty in 2020 just before Covid hit.

In a Courageous Conversation that’s all about getting the right help when you need it, Colin discusses the value of having a mentor who asks the right questions to allow you to come to your own conclusion.

It’s a story about finding courage when you need it, taking the risks required to fulfil your dream, and finding the strength to go for it when it could be far easier to play it safe.

Colin also shares why it’s critical to surround yourself with good people when making a major decision, how a mentor was the perfect person to assist, and why he has come to be one since.

He also notes often you have laid the foundations for success long before you have the courage to take a life changing leap.

“I plucked up a bit of courage and I said, ‘you know what? This is it. I have one life. I might as well live it to my fullest’. I kind of felt like I’d started early. I’d been in business for so many years and I kind of take the analogy of the bamboo tree. It takes five years to grow its roots and then for the next five weeks, it just grows by twenty-five metres.” – Colin Lee

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Colin also discuss:

• Why life can get in the way of your dreams, but there will come a sliding door moment when you have the opportunity to be brave, face your fears and make those dreams a reality.
• The qualities of a great mentor, and why it pays to surround yourself with good people and have more than one mentor to guide you.
• How Colin is now paying it forward as a mentor himself and why mentoring is a hugely rewarding and inspiring act.
• Why it’s normal to have doubts and insecurities, but sometimes you need to recognize the achievements of your past and draw on them to create a new future.
• How the right connections and the right conversations with the right people have been key to Colin’s career and business success.
• Why Colin felt he needed to take action, and how he came to make a critical and life changing decision quickly and effectively, without looking back.
• Where to find a mentor and what to look for in them if you’re seeking to take action.

Links and resources mentioned:

• Mentoring Men
• Ian Westmoreland
• Inspire Realty

Connect with Colin

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
•  Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Colin Lee used mentoring to build the real estate business of his dreams appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Successful event organiser Louise Larkin had a high-flying career and her future all mapped out when she tuned into a radio interview that changed her trajectory.

There, in her car she heard the heartbreaking story of a young boy with a disability who had invited his friends to his birthday party but no one showed up.

It was a story that resonated with Louise for reasons she couldn’t fathom, and she quickly put her event skills to good use to organise the ultimate party.

That party would go on to be the first event hosted by her not for profit Friend in Me.

Held in a community hall, courtesy of the goodwill of friends and local residents, that first event attracted 350 children.

The next year 700 came and it steadily increased to 3000 before COVID put a stop to in-person events.

In this Courageous Conversation, Louise shares the story of an initiative that’s all about appreciating difference, embracing inclusiveness and has the aim of ensuring no child is left out or left behind.

Since that first humble event, Friend in Me has gone on to become a recognised not-for-profit, which has hosted 700 virtual parties in the past 18 months alone.

Some are for children suffering illness, others are designed to foster inclusiveness, but the aim is to build confidence, resilience and connection in children who are too often forced to the sidelines of society.

In a remarkable leap of faith, Louise stepped away from her corporate career and now volunteers with Friend in Me full-time.

It’s a role she describes as ‘beautifully exhausting’, but is a legacy she hopes will prove a valuable lesson for her children and society as a whole.

She concedes, occasionally it’s hard and there are times she considers packing it all in to return to the corporate world…until she receives a phone call from an appreciative parent or sees the smile on the face of a child.

“A lot of people say to me, ‘why did you leave your job?’ And ‘you don’t even have kids with a disability, so why are you doing this for these kids?’ ‘Why do you care so much about making these children feel included?’ And I just say back ‘well, I’ve got a very big heart and I’m going to create an inclusive world for my kids, as well as their friends. I want my girls to understand what it’s like for people that may be a little bit different or have different abilities.” Louise Larkin

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Louise also discuss:

• How to recognise when a career no longer fuels you, and what you need to do to take a leap of faith
• Why opportunities present themselves when you open yourself to them and how to let go of the fear that holds you back
• The little things that allow people to feel valued and how to ensure people are included and connected
•  Why COVID19 allowed Louise to consider what next for her organisation and dream big when it came to initiatives for the future
• How Louise plans to work with businesses and organisations to create a more inclusive, connected world
• Why we all have a role to play in changing the narrative about how we react to difference

And much, much more

Links and resources mentioned

• Friend in Me website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Connect with Louise

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
•  Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Why Louise Larkin gave up a corporate career and took a leap of faith to change the lives of children appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Heidi Dening was working for a children-focussed NGO in Vanuatu when a night of terror changed her life forever.

Part of a volunteer group who proved the unsuspecting target of cultural conflict, she awoke to the sound of petrol bombs being thrown at her bungalow and the smell of smoke filling her room.

Heidi and her companions endured a night of fear, huddled together awaiting an airlift from the Australian Embassy.

All survived the attack, but the physical injuries faded long before the emotional scars.

Filled with rage, robbed of her purpose and left with lingering insomnia, it would take her 18 months to recover from the trauma that had occurred in an idyllic paradise often referred to as “the happiest place on earth”.

Now an international speaker and resilience educator, Heidi she hit rock physically and emotionally before making the conscious decision to claim back her life and find her joy in the wake of events of 2014.

Ultimately, she would use her harrowing experience to empower others to overcome adversity.

In this inspiring Courageous Conversation with Leanne Pilkington, Heidi shares the strategies she used to find resilience within, and how she further employed those tools when her livelihood was threatened when the speaking industry ground to a halt during COVID-19.

In a podcast that provides incredible lessons about finding strength, joy and quiet in a noisy and sometimes challenging world, Heidi explains resilience is not bouncing back but bouncing forward using the lessons learned.

“What goes in textbooks, doesn’t always work when you apply it to life. And I just felt that due to the fact that I had both of these things, I had science backed education plus real life experience, that it was a great opportunity for me to bring these together so that I could really make a difference hopefully to other people.” Heidi Dening.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Heidi and Leanne also discuss:

• Why Samba proved Heidi’s key to joy and how it culminated in feathers and heels at Mardi Gras
• How psychological trauma can translate to physical illness, and why it’s important to identify and address the root cause
• The trigger point that prompted Heidi to claim back her life, and the strategies she used to do it
• Why the speaking industry ground to a halt during Covid-19, and how Heidi stopped herself from spiralling into fear.
• How Heidi came to create the ‘resilience bucket’ and the five tools within it that everyone can employ during a challenge
• Why connecting to people is key overcoming adversity, as is finding your joy – whatever that may be
• How to find quiet in a noisy world competing for your attention
• Why resilience isn’t about bouncing back, but instead involves propelling yourself forward with the knowledge, skills and insight you have learned from the past

And more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Her Middle Name is Courage – By Heidi Dening
• Resilience quiz
• Wine and Wisdom Show

Connect with Heidi

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Heidi Dening overcame trauma to turn chaos into clarity appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Internationally acclaimed interior designer Lorena Gaxiola is a firm believer in one simple truth: without friction there cannot be change.

And she’s endured more than her fair share of friction over what has become a highly successful career.

Originally from Mexico, Lorena dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming an architect.

When he advised it was no career for a woman, she chose another path, moving to the US to pursue an alternate ambition to become an interior designer.

Aged 24, she built her own business, working with Fortune 500 companies and building an international brand.

She’s been through recessions, launched products in China and made a name for herself for her customer focused design.

Still, all this wasn’t enough to ensure cracking the Australian market would be easy.

When Lorena brought her business to Australia in 2016, she found a very different landscape to the one she was used to, where it proved hard to get a look-in as a boutique brand up against the big names.

In this Courageous Conversation, Lorena shares her story, including how she overcame the major setback of breast cancer shortly after arriving in Australia, and why it wasn’t going to deter her from serving her clients in both Australia and the US.

She also discusses why she’s committed to empowering women in a male dominated industry, and how she is working to shape a new generation of business leaders.

“This is it. I’m going to just completely devote the next 10 years in mentoring and building the next generation of female creatives and giving them a place in a position where they can gain recognition early in their careers.” Lorena Gaxiola.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Lorena also discuss:

• Why her father’s advice to keep her business light and lean has consistently paid off
• How she established a business point of difference to secure major clients in the US and internationally
• Why opportunities present themself when you’re willing to take a chance and put yourself out there
• How her Mexican upbringing helped her break into the Chinese market
• Why the Australian industry is very different to elsewhere in the world
• How she found the confidence to start a business young, grow it quickly and restructure when the need arose
• Why she was in the perfect business position to thrive during COVID-19, servicing clients in the US, Asia and Australia.
• How she intends to empower young women and mentor them into management positions in a bid to shift the dynamic of the creative industry

And more…

Links and resources mentioned

Connect with Lorena

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Facebook 

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Lorena Gaxiola built an international interior design business to inspire and empower a new generation of women appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Ruma Mundi might have carved out a highly regarded career as an agent and leader of First National North Western (and since this story was first published she has moved on to become Group Partner at McGrath West I North West I Hills I Hawkesbury), but like many, the road to real estate success hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

Instead, it has involved thrilling highs and bitter lows, including the loss of a profitable business, a high court battle over the demise of a professional partnership, and the end of her marriage.

Now a sought-after industry speaker and award-winning agent, Ruma says, with the benefit of hindsight, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Each of the decisions she’s made ultimately led to a better place, even though she may not have known it at the time.

In this Courageous Conversation, Ruma offers a candid and thought-provoking insight into her journey, including the lessons she’s learned and the change in mindset she has made as a result.

Whether you’re a real estate leader, property manager or agent taking the first steps on the ladder to success, her story offers key takeaways about resilience, self-belief, internal reflection, and the wisdom gained through experience.

Ruma has always been the type of person who walks into a room driven to work the hardest and achieve the best outcome possible. She notes though that while her ambition to succeed remains, her decision-making process has changed.

Her experiences have led her to seek stillness and calm when weighing the options before her, while being mindful of the self-talk that happens within.

“The only thing I’d do differently now is make big decisions in a state of stillness and calm. To sit still with something has been a lot of hard work, but it’s paying off,” Ruma Mundi.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Ruma also discuss:

• Why the goal posts of real estate constantly shift, and how to tame the voice in your head that compares your achievements with others
• How Ruma transformed her business from average to exceptional by drawing on the advice of an industry expert
• The key lessons Ruma learned from a failed business partnership
• How Ruma embraced business ownership with a newborn baby, just seven months after entering the industry
• Why success doesn’t look the same to everyone and as a leader it’s important to appreciate everyone has their own ambition and drive
• How painful experiences can provide agents with greater skills when negotiating sales
• The importance of positive self talk and how to silence the negative voice in your head.
  
  And more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Ryan Holiday at AREC 2021 – Day 1
• Ryan Holiday at AREC 2021 – Day 2
• The Lives of the Stoics – Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
• The obstacle is the way – Ryan Holiday
• Stillness is the key – Ryan Holiday
• The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday

Ruma on Elite Agent

• Thriving in the face of challenge

Connect with Ruma

• Website
• LinkedIn

The post Courageous Conversations: How Ruma Mundi started a new chapter coming back stronger, wiser and more appreciative that ever appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

When Wiseberry Taree general manager Danielle Boyd was told she had a long-term life-threatening illness at just age 13, she could have wallowed in self-pity and let fate define her future.

She didn’t. Instead, she shifted her mindset, set goals and used personal experience to help her create a fulfilling life that she’s grateful for each and every morning.

Danielle has Crohn’s disease and living with it has involved countless operations, trial treatments including chemotherapy, and three instances where she’s come very close to death.

In this Courageous Conversation about the power of gratitude and the importance of mindset, Danielle shares the story of why none of that stopped her carving out a successful real estate career.

After initially struggling to find her first rental home, Danielle turned to real estate as a career in the belief the industry has the power to change the life of the people she works with.

She notes a large part of her subsequent success comes down to gratitude and resilience. It also involves drawing on a series of mentors who she turns to for advice and the insight she needs to hear, but may not necessarily want to.

As a result, she’s now living her dream, running a Wiseberry office after just over a decade working in real estate.

“Practising gratitude and positivity is something that I done that for such a long time. No matter what it is that happens, I can generally pull the positive from it. And one of my biggest things is, you know, don’t stress over things you can’t control, but that’s taken years to get that mindset,” Danielle Boyd.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Danielle also discuss:

•  How Danielle shifted her mindset to accept a situation she could not change
• Why gratitude is a skill that needs to be learned and practised and how she employs it as a habit every day
• How tenacity, resilience and a ‘never take no for an answer’ attitude helped Danielle secure her first job in real estate.
• Why mentors are critical to her success, what she looks for in them, and why she has more than one
• How she uses real estate to help others and why she believes her role can change lives
• Why her favourite part of property management is that first routine inspection, and the factors she finds most inspiring about that interaction
• How a flooded office proved the perfect welcome to Wiseberry Taree and what it taught her about the local community
• How Danielle sets up each day in a calm, deliberate way that allows her to choose what she intends to focus on
• And more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Tom Panos – Some of the best gifts in life come badly wrapped

Danielle on Elite Agent

• Dare to dream

Connect with Danielle

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Danielle Boyd carved out a successful career in real estate while managing a life-threatening illness appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

How do you reclaim your life after a horrendous twist of fate leaves you fighting to survive and robs you of your dream vocation? 

You try a different path, stay focused, and ensure one event doesn’t change the person you are, says Laing + Simmons agent and auctioneer Samantha Barlow.

In 2009, Samantha was living her dream as a Sergeant in the NSW Police Force when she was brutally attacked by a random stranger and left for dead.

The young mum, who was married to a fellow officer and had two small children at home, spent months in hospital and a year in recovery, determined to return to the police and achieve all that she had planned to.

With courage, resilience and sheer determination, Samantha achieved that aim, but ultimately it ended her police career.

In this raw and inspiring Courageous Conversation, Samantha shares her story, including the mindset she drew on throughout her recovery, why giving up was never an option, and how her passion for helping people as a police officer translated into a successful real estate career.

“I’m still thankfully helping everyone, but just in a different way – whether it’s finding something for them to live in or to help them sell it. People are so vulnerable when they’re buying or selling a home. They need someone they can trust. I’m as transparent as anyone could be coming from what I did. And I love that aspect of it.” Samantha Barlow.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Samantha also discuss:

• The tools everyone can harness in times of challenge
•  How a competitive nature played a role in Samantha’s recovery
• Why a life changing event made her more determined than ever to succeed
• How real estate shaped her life before the police and filled the gap afterwards
• The skills that translate from policing to real estate
  And more

Links and resources mentioned

• Left for Dead – By Laurence Barlow, Samantha Barlow and Sue Williams
• Back from the dead
• Bashed cop Samantha Barlow tells of her year of hell

Connect with Samantha Barlow

• LinkedIn
• Website

Connect with Leanne Pilkington

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

This episode of Courageous Conversations contains sensitive subject matter regarding mental health and potentially confronting or triggering topics. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health or anything mentioned in this episode triggers you, please remember that help is available 24 hours a day from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The post Courageous Conversations: How Samantha Barlow overcame a horrific twist of fate to reclaim her life, recover her happiness, and find real estate as a way to help others appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

What would prompt a corporate banker to abandon their high-flying career for real estate? One conversation at the right moment, according to Raine & Horne Berry director Jacqui Crapp.

Jacqui had come off the back of a couple of tough years when she decided to take the plunge into property management, having lost both her parents to cancer. At the time the words of her dad were echoing in her ears: “Whatever you do, do it with passion, and if you don’t enjoy it, do something else”.

That’s not to say her real estate run has been easy. A partnership that didn’t go to plan proved a learning curve, as did a car accident that left her with a blood clot.

Prior to that she and her husband had also been forced to abandon their dream of dairy farming due to industry deregulation.

In this Courageous Conversation, Jacqui shares her real estate journey, including the discussions you need to have before entering into a business partnership, and how she transitioned from a property manager to a principal and sales agent who is renowned for her no-nonsense approach.

“I just call it how it is. You know, if people are talking to me about their wants and their needs, I’ll ask as many questions as I need to, to get to the bottom of it. And sometimes I’ll just say to them, ‘Hell no, you don’t want that’.”

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Jacqui also discuss:

• How to ensure you’re on the same page as your business partners
• The simple innovations that saw her agency thrive during COVID
• Why a successful business partnership is about recognising what stage of life all parties are at
• What real estate success looks like in a small community
• How a big gamble in 2020 paid off for her business
• Why Jacqui prides herself on being a sales agent with property management experience
• How she builds genuine rapport with people to become a trusted property advisor
• And more…  

Links and resources mentioned

Connect with Jacqui

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: How Jacqui Crapp used hard knocks, tough talk and property management to become a sales agent of choice appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Leading a team right now is not without its challenges. Between lockdown fatigue and a landscape of business uncertainty, motivation can be in short supply.

So who better to tackle the issue than two of the industry’s most respected leaders – renowned real estate coach Michael Sheargold who has more than 63,000 collective hours of coaching and presenting to his name, and Leanne Pilkington who has 25 years of experience in leading teams.

In this podcast, Michael engages in a Courageous Conversation with Leanne about leadership and motivation in the current climate.

Michael explains right now the focus should be on what winning looks today or this week rather than the long-term view. It should also shift from what people can’t do to the things that they can.

Michael also offers some great tips on giving your team the energy and support they need, along with how to set up a winning day.

He also poses the question every leader should be asking their team members to foster accountability and turn goals into action.

“Often when I’m talking with great agents and leaders, there’s this perception if there were 100 things you could do pre-COVID there’s only 90 you can do now. So there’s 10 things you can’t do.

“Are you going to focus on the ones you can’t do or become really, really good at doing the 90 that you can?” Michael Sheargold.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Leanne and Michael also discuss:

• The three elements of leadership, and why leading and managing are very different things
• Why success is built on empathy and the ability to see someone else’s point of view
• How empathy applies to both leaders and agents or property managers, and also your team and the customer perspective
• Why a review/preview each day is essential at the moment
• How to help your team shift their energy
• Why making it okay to be stuck on something helps foster success
• Ways to avoid the ‘same stuff, different day’ slump of lockdowns
• Why accountability isn’t something you impose on your staff, but instead involves reminding them about what they are committed to
• How leaders can set themselves up to be the person their team needs now
• And more…

Links and resources mentioned

• Coach the Coach

Michael on Elite Agent

• Mini course: Mindset and motivation
• Lessons in leadership: Michael Sheargold
• Michael Sheargold expands leadership toolkit with Coach the Coach

Connect with Michael

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

 Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Courageous Conversations: Michael Sheargold talks the ’empathy factor’, how to avoid the slump of a lockdown and being the leader your team needs right now appeared first on Elite Agent.

[powerpress]

Some might argue there’s an element of luck to building a high-performing real estate career. Successful coach and selling agent Marnie Beauchamp is proof luck’s got nothing to do with it.

In a career that’s spanned almost 30 years, Marnie has enjoyed the stunning highs of real estate and endured some soul-destroying lows, including losing her father in the same year she lost her marriage, her thriving business, and her ability to earn as an agent.

Faced with the option of walking away from real estate or rebuilding from scratch, Marnie took incredible adversity and turned it around.

She got back up when it was tempting to stay down, summoned faith in herself when self-confidence was in short supply, and focused on hard work that reaped swift results.

In this episode of Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington, Marnie shares the story of how she overcame losing it all to rebuild a business, reignite her real estate career, then reinvent herself as one of the industry’s most sought-after coaches.

“At the end of the day, I did it, and when I got to that point, I knew that the sky was the limit again for me. There was nothing, nobody or no thing that was ever going to stop me from doing what I wanted to do.” Marnie Beauchamp

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

In this episode Leanne and Marnie discuss:

• How one decision took Marnie from a career high to a gut-wrenching low
• What she did to survive a six-month court case instigated by her former franchisor
• The words of advice Marnie’s father offered that saw her get back on her feet
• Why she didn’t walk away from real estate
• The tactics Marnie used to go from nothing to ranking among the top agents of her network within a year
• Why she loves coaching and the unique skills she brings
• How her experience has shaped the successful coach and agent she has become

 And more…

Connect with Marnie

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

Leanne Pilkington on Elite Agent 

• Stepping outside my comfort zone: Leanne Pilkington
• 2021 Market Outlook: Leanne Pilkington
• The four Cs of leadership in a crisis: Leanne Pilkington
• Turning lockdown lessons into productivity hacks
• The new opportunities of working from home

The post Courageous Conversations: How Marnie Beauchamp conquered extreme adversity to rebuild a business stronger than ever appeared first on Elite Agent.

It’s the start of something new on the Elevate podcast as we welcome Leanne Pilkington to the team as host of her podcast Courageous Conversations.

Leanne has been the host of Courageous Conversations since May of 2019.

She is also the Managing Director of real estate group Laing+Simmons, the President of REINSW, the founder of Real Women in Real Estate (RWIRE) – as well as being a regular contributor to Elite Agent.

As some of you already know – with Courageous Conversations you can expect a frank and fearless look behind the scenes with some of the industry’s most prominent names how they got to where they are today; the challenges they have needed to overcome in the process and how they conquered the obstacles in their pathway.

To celebrate Episode 81 of Courageous Conversations and the first episode under the Elite Agent Elevate brand, Leanne’s first guest is Elite Agent Editor and Elevate’s regular host, Samantha McLean.

This‌ ‌episode‌ ‌of‌ Courageous Conversations ‌is‌ ‌brought‌ ‌to‌ ‌you‌ ‌by‌ ‌‌Connect‌now‌ 

Samantha and Leanne go back many years (before Elite Agent existed!) and talk about why it’s not just the success stories that people need to hear, but also their journeys – which often aren’t a straight line.

In this episode Leanne and Samantha discuss:

• A bit of the backstory behind Elite Agent and why it nearly didn’t even begin
• What sales success in real estate really looks like
• Why it’s essential to be resilient and why you must keep showing up
• Overcoming obstacles and why you shouldn’t let a setback determine your future
• They dismantle a common myth around what success looks like for the real estate professional
• Leanne explains why Courageous Conversations can help people starting in their real estate careers
• What you can look forward to from Leanne
• And more…!

Links and resources mentioned:

• The Transform training program
• AREC

Leanne Pilkington on Elite Agent 

• Stepping outside my comfort zone: Leanne Pilkington
• 2021 Market Outlook: Leanne Pilkington
• The four Cs of leadership in a crisis: Leanne Pilkington
• Turning lockdown lessons into productivity hacks
• The new opportunities of working from home

Connect with Leanne

• Courageous Conversations on Apple Podcasts
• Laing + Simmons
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• RWIRE 

The post Ep 232: Introducing Courageous Conversations with Leanne Pilkington appeared first on Elite Agent.