When I look back on my career, one truth keeps showing up: I didn’t always feel ready, but I was surrounded by people who made me feel like I was. It’s not lost on me that it’s not always the case in our industry. Real estate moves fast and the pressure is constant. That’s exactly why I believe emotional intelligence shouldn’t just be a leadership style; it should be the new standard.
My own story reflects this. I’ve held diverse roles over the years, including some I may not have been qualified for, on paper, at the time; positions that made me question if I belonged at the table. But I always had leaders who saw the potential in me I hadn’t yet seen in myself. They didn’t micromanage or mould me to fit a certain success blueprint, they gave me space to stretch, room to fail and constructive feedback to fuel my growth.
That belief changed everything. It was the beginning of me discovering my own leadership style; one built not on control but on trust.
And now I try to lead the same way, by creating space, resisting the urge to control and trusting people before they trust themselves.
Joining LJ Hooker: a return to purpose
When I joined LJ Hooker, something clicked. From my first conversation with CEO Christine Mikhael, it was clear this was a place where empathy, not ego, shaped leadership.
Christine’s style reminded me of my early career, of the leaders who guided me with both clarity and compassion. Her ability to listen deeply and lead with heart affirmed that I’d come full circle, now it was my turn to apply that mentality to my own role.
I was recently working on a deal to acquire a business from a retiring principal. On paper, everything was sorted, the numbers were solid, terms were agreed, and yet… nothing was moving.
It would’ve been easy to push harder. Instead, I paid closer attention to the unspoken cues. I realised the hesitation wasn’t about the deal, it was about what came after. Stepping away from a business you’ve built is emotional. It can feel like losing part of your identity.
So, we stopped talking spreadsheets and started talking about what came next: hobbies, travel, time with loved ones, even a long-desired luxury car. That shift in energy made all the difference. Once they felt understood, they could move forward. That’s the power of emotional intelligence; it creates movement where even the best negotiation tactics can’t.
EQ is the foundation of trust
Whether I’m interacting with a franchise owner, a colleague, even a friend at the gym, my first thought is never ‘how do I control this?’, it’s ‘what does this person need to thrive?’.
That might mean holding back — it might only be a few extra moments — giving them the space to step in, speak up and lead; asking less about the what? and more about the why?.
Micromanagement might deliver quick wins but it doesn’t create leaders. Trust is the real growth strategy. When people feel trusted, they don’t just do the job, they take ownership, bring ideas and build something bigger than you imagined.
Real growth isn’t solo
The most meaningful success I’ve seen hasn’t been revenue spikes or big wins. It’s been watching someone grow into a version of themselves they hadn’t yet imagined and knowing I helped make space for that.
As former US vice president Kamala Harris said at AREC, “None of us achieve success alone; it just doesn’t happen that way”. I couldn’t agree more. Real growth is rarely a solo journey. We all need a trusted group of people who back us, challenge us and help us rise. Being intentional about building that circle, and providing that support for others, is where the real impact happens.
Leadership isn’t about being the hero. It’s about setting the stage for others to perform heroically.
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To those considering joining LJ Hooker, here’s what I’ll say: this is a place that backs people. We don’t just offer systems and support, we offer belief. It’s the reason we are one of Australia’s most trusted real estate agencies. Emotional intelligence is embedded in our DNA, from the boardroom to the branch, from the corporate team to the communities we serve.
It’s not a leadership style; it’s a leadership standard.
Because, in the end, great businesses aren’t built just on strategy. They’re built on trust, courage, and the kind of leadership that helps people grow.
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