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Entering my second decade in the real estate industry has prompted a natural moment of contemplation on my career journey – from humble beginnings to the present, and inevitably, pondering what lies ahead.
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in real estate administration and operations, discovering a niche within the industry that transcended the conventional realms of sales or property management, unveiling my genuine passion for optimising day-to-day operations, maximising productivity and efficiency, and refining systems and processes.
Transitioning from reception/administration to leading a nationwide team as Harcourts’ national head of business operations has been a journey filled with insights and learnings.
Here are 10 tips I’ve picked up over the years, by way of honouring this decade, and to share with aspiring professionals looking to make an impact:
- Be an impact player: Success lies in surpassing the confines of one’s job description. Embrace teamwork and adaptability, and you’ll acquire skills you never knew you needed.
- Seek meaningful work: Pursue what aligns with your passion, values and strengths. Whatever you lean into must return a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
- Exercise perspective: Recognise that your approach isn’t the only viable one. Cultivate empathy, consider diverse viewpoints, and respect your colleagues’ time and workload.
- Leverage collective strengths: Collaboration amplifies individual capabilities. Foster a culture of mutual support and cooperation to propel your career forward.
- Prioritise focus and balance: Not every task requires immediate attention. Allocate dedicated “focus time” to enhance productivity and meet deadlines without succumbing to the pull of perpetual busyness.
- Embrace discomfort: Growth stems from stepping outside your comfort zone. Don’t hesitate to seek clarification, feedback, or new opportunities for personal and professional development. Trust your abilities and believe in your potential.
- Lead with integrity and empathy: True leadership isn’t about asserting authority; it’s about inspiring and empowering those around you.
- Stay curious: Create an insatiable hunger to nourish your intellect. Cultivate a passion for learning, immersing yourself in books and podcasts. The dedication to expanding your knowledge should remain unwavering.
- Seek feedback: Constructive feedback helps you identify areas for improvement and refine your skills and performance. You must be open-minded, reflective, and take action.
- Remain authentic: It costs nothing to be a kind, caring, and humble human. Authenticity fosters trust, respect, and genuine connections both in your career and personal life. Relationships are the cornerstone of success.
What does the future hold for me? It seems a decade teeming with moments of self-doubt and adversity, yet also punctuated with success and laughter awaits. These experiences, however challenging, are the essential components of personal and professional growth.
I’m eager and hopeful for what lies ahead in the realm of real estate operations, looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that will undoubtedly mark my career path. With many years stretched out before me, I approach this journey with unwavering optimism and determination. I look forward to crossing paths with you on this adventure.
Kyrstie Nolan is the national head of business operations at Harcourts.
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