Let’s get one thing straight: property management is a people business, but sometimes, we forget that we’re here to serve people, not just manage properties.
This week, I want to talk about something that might be a bit uncomfortable but is deeply necessary—because if we don’t have this conversation, we’re going to keep spinning in circles for years to come.
The problem isn’t the industry. It’s us.
And it’s time we stop sugar-coating it.
From “winging it” to learning from my failures
I’ll be the first to admit it: I didn’t always know how to be a leader.
Hell, I didn’t even know much about property management or how to run a business. I completely winged it.
And guess what? I failed. Multiple times.
I had a revolving door of property managers coming in and out of the business because I had no systems in place, no leadership training, and no clear vision for how to manage a team or even how to manage myself.
I was overwhelmed, stressed out, and making it up as I went along. And it wasn’t just a personal problem—it was a massive professional one too.
But here’s the kicker: I learned from those mistakes. I grew, and now I’m here to tell you that if I can do it, so can you.
Why do we do this job?
At some point in our careers, we need to ask ourselves, Why did I get into this in the first place?
If we’re honest, many of us end up in property management because it feels like a “steady” job, but what we often forget is that we are helping people meet their most basic human needs.
That’s a BIG deal.
In fact, if you’ve ever struggled to find somewhere to live—like I’ve been going through myself recently—you’ll know the terrifying feeling of uncertainty and fear that comes with not knowing where you’re going to sleep tonight.
The what-ifs, the endless worries, and the fear of the unknown are real.
But despite this, sometimes we forget the human side of this business.
Sometimes we forget that empathy, kindness, and compassion are just as important as paperwork, inspections, and rent collection.
We need to feel for the people we work with—not just see them as tenants and clients but as human beings with lives and struggles of their own.
A hot topic that needs attention
At the recent Gold Coast RE BarCamp, a question sparked intense discussions: How do we improve the image of property managers?
The answer? It starts with us.
All the tech tools, software, and fancy conferences in the world won’t change the perception of property managers.
If we’re going to shift how the public sees us, we need to take a hard look in the mirror and start by changing how we show up for ourselves, our teams, and our clients.
We’ve all said it: “I’m too busy.” But here’s the truth—a surgeon doesn’t have the luxury of saying they’re too busy to save someone’s life.
We need to stop with the excuses and start taking accountability for our actions and reactions. We’re not too busy to show compassion.
We’re not too busy to be leaders. And we’re not too busy to create positive change—if we choose to.
Taking accountability for ourselves
This isn’t just about improving our professional skills or embracing new tech. This is about personal development.
We need to work on ourselves, take the time to understand why we react the way we do, and learn how to lead with empathy, compassion, and respect.
It’s about creating a space where we feel empowered to make decisions based on care and not just ticking boxes.
What I learned the hard way—and what I want to share with you—is that real change starts within.
It’s about developing self-awareness, setting healthy boundaries, and choosing to evolve even when it’s uncomfortable.
If we want to see a shift in the property management industry, we need to do the internal work first.
So, what can we do about it?
If you’re reading this and feeling a bit uncomfortable, that’s okay. It means we’re on the right track. Here’s what we can all do:
- If you’re a team leader: Take a good hard look at your leadership style. Foster a culture of growth and empathy. Lead by example, not by authority.
- If you’re a property manager: Ask yourself why you react the way you do in stressful situations. How can you approach challenges with more empathy and compassion? If you don’t know the answer, spend the time to learn it.
- If you’re struggling: Know this: You are not alone. Reach out for support, whether it’s from mentors, colleagues, or professional networks. We’re all in this together.
Small changes lead to big results
Real change doesn’t happen overnight. But it does happen when we choose to take responsibility for our actions and make small, consistent changes.
We don’t need to fix everything at once, but we do need to start—today.
Because if we don’t evolve, if we don’t take the time to work on ourselves and lead with empathy, we’ll still be having these same conversations ten years from now.
And I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for something different.
