Leadership isn’t a title you wear or a task you tick off your to-do list—it’s a daily commitment.
At last year’s LEADER VIP Lunch, NRL Super Coach, Wayne Bennett, explained it really well.
He said leadership starts with a choice: are you ready to live ‘above the line’, step up, take ownership, and lead your team to greatness? Or will you find yourself stuck ‘below the line,’ weighed down by excuses and missed opportunities? (Hint: champagne-worthy results tend to follow the first choice!)
In the real estate industry, where teamwork, trust, and performance define success, leading with impact couldn’t be more important.
But where do you start?
Leadership - it starts with you!
Before you can steer your team to greatness, consider whether the team has a solid foundation under your stewardship.
Yes, leadership starts with mastering the trickiest person in the room …YOU!
“The best way to improve your team is to improve yourself,” Wayne said.
This means managing your emotions, setting clear expectations, and staying true to your vision.
“When you look in the mirror you have to like and respect who you see,” Wayne said.
It’s tempting to point fingers when things go pear-shaped. (We’ve all been there, right?)
But Wayne’s spot on when he says you sometimes have to ask yourself the hard question: What could I have done better?
Here’s the thing—leadership isn’t about being flawless. (Spoiler alert: no one is!)
It’s about showing up, owning your decisions, and being consistent. If you want your team to thrive, it starts with you setting the tone and leading the way. Be the example they can’t help but admire, even on the tough days.
Above the line leadership: Owning it every day
‘Above the line’ leadership means taking responsibility, not just for your own actions but for the performance and wellbeing of your team.
It’s about recognising that when one team member underperforms, it doesn’t just affect them—it impacts everyone.
Wayne said when a single cog in the machine is out of sync, the entire system suffers.
“Each team member should care for each other,” he said.
He also stressed that leadership isn’t always about being ‘nice’ and letting things slide.
True kindness, especially in high-performing teams, is about holding people accountable.
It’s not about being everyone’s friend but about challenging your team to reach their potential.
It’s knowing that accountability drives improvement, growth, and ultimately success.
Why accountability matters
Addressing underperformance might feel uncomfortable or ‘kinder’ to avoid in the moment, but as Wayne reminds us, ‘If you don’t have standards, you have problems.’"
Here’s why accountability is crucial in leadership:
1. It builds respect:
When you fail to address underperformance, your high-performing team members notice. It can erode respect for you as a leader. Accountability fosters a culture where excellence is expected and delivered.
2. It elevates performance:
Honest feedback helps people improve. Without it, they’re left in the dark, unable to change because they don’t know anything is amiss. Feedback, combined with skill-building support, empowers your team to excel.
3. It protects the team:
Underperformance isn’t an isolated issue. It affects the entire team’s morale and productivity. Leaders have a personal and professional responsibility to ensure everyone contributes fairly. Remember, it’s not just about the individual—it’s about the livelihoods of every team member.
The balancing act: kindness vs toughness
Being a leader doesn’t mean being cold or unapproachable.
It’s about finding the balance between kindness and toughness.
Kindness is helping people achieve their best, and sometimes that means tough conversations, honest feedback, and even difficult decisions.
When someone underperforms, I recommend you, as a leader, dig deeper:
● Do they lack the capacity? External challenges may be
● Do they lack the skills? Your responsibility is to provide the training and resources they need.
● Do they lack commitment? If they’re not invested in the team’s success, it might be worth exploring their fit within the group.
Accountability, coupled with empathy, shows your team that you value them enough to invest in their growth and hold them to high standards.
Be consistent, be original
Finally, leadership is about consistency and authenticity.
It’s easy to be a leader on good days, but real growth happens when you show up during the tough ones.
Consistency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of any high-performing team.
And remember: lead in your way.
The best leaders aren’t copies of someone else—they’re originals.
In real estate, leadership isn’t just a role—it’s a mindset.
Commit to it daily, and watch your team, your business, and your results soar.
Join us in May on the Gold Coast, for LEADER, a conference tailored for CEOs, Business Owners, High-level Management and High-Performing Agents seeking to elevate their businesses to new heights.
At this conference we will take a deep dive into some often overlooked topics, including:
● Scaling and building a saleable entity
● Increasing revenue and profit
● Building high-performing teams
● Leadership and management skills
● Company and culture
● Recruitment and retention
● Marketing and lead generation
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