Growing Success With Trish Adams: Director at Ray White Synergy Realty
How do you define effective leadership?
Effective leadership for me involves setting an example and following through in what you say you will do, providing a vision and inspiring others while always maintaining integrity. Over time, it has evolved to what is best for the business is making sure I have created an environment where the team feels supported and appreciated. This then rolls on to your clients being provided with a service that your team can be proud of and makes your business a desirable place to engage with and work in.
What strategies do you use to build and inspire a high-performing team?
Clear and consistent communication, acknowledging achievements no matter how big or small in public and in private. Fostering a positive work environment with empathy and respect being expected at all times. Ensuring each team member feels valued and heard.
Can you share an example of a leadership challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Sales meetings can often be a challenge, managing a team with large personalities, which often means they have potentially conflicting interests, practices and principles. Uniting them by encouraging honest and constructive discussions and helping them see that although there is often a difference of opinion, it is not by any means an invitation to wage war. It’s the ability to get them to see that as a team, we share a common goal.
What roles do mentorship and networking play in your leadership approach?
As a mentor, I offer insights based on my own experiences and those of others I have worked with, providing valuable perspective and advice to help my team navigate challenges that allow them to make informed decisions. I prefer to always empower them with potential scenarios and consequences so they learn to evaluate and assess outcomes that work in the best interest of themselves and their clients. Coming from a place of authenticity is essential.
How do you balance maintaining authority while fostering collaboration and inclusivity?
This is by far the biggest speed hump for most leaders. “How do I make sure they like and respect me but still adhere to what I’ve asked them to do?” Managing out of fear is common and many leaders’ biggest downfall. By creating a culture of openness where ideas are freely shared, respected and constructive feedback is encouraged. A leader then needs to uphold a clear decision-making process by taking on board the feedback and concerns to maintain structure and direction. Support the team post the decision being made to understand the reasons and considerations that were taken to arrive at the final decision.
What is the most challenging obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you navigate it?
Adapting to major regulatory changes was challenging. I tackled it by investing time in myself, learning and understanding the implications for the team and our clients. Staying more updated and knowledgeable is my key focus to protect and advise. Then conducting training sessions for the team as they can relate to me and me to them. The freedom to ask questions about the changes that personally relate to their work and daily practice.
How do you maintain resilience and focus during periods of uncertainty or failure?
I am always mentally three months ahead of the present. We can’t change what’s been, but we can prepare for what we forecast to come. This way we still have choices or options and it’s about assessing what the best ones are based on the current situation or market conditions. If you are experiencing a great period and planning for growth then build off this momentum. If you are hitting a rough patch look for plans to re-strategise and re-prioritise.
Maintain focus by anticipating market trends, set flexible goals, and reflect on past successes and lessons learned to guide future strategies. Practice mindfulness (truly being present in the moment), stay grounded, and focus on continuous learning in order to adapt quickly. Communicate with your team often during uncertain times as the answers are often with them. You just need to listen and read between the lines.
What are your go-to strategies for managing stress and avoiding burnout?
Delegation – we often take on board far more than we need to. Prioritise what needs to be done and what you hope to accomplish. Our high expectations of ourselves are what burns us out, not the expectations of others. If you have people around you who don’t value your mental health and well-being then you need to re-assess your tribe.
Can you share a time when you turned a significant setback into an opportunity for growth?
A tough market takes its toll not only on the business but most of all your team morale. I decided to look at ways to increase my company’s pipeline through channels that were not normally considered. Reaching out and offering a complimentary service to organisations resulted in great working relationships that turned into exclusive contracts with guaranteed business, making future projections more tangible. It also allowed us to be able to provide business to our team rather than rely on them to create opportunities that also put us as leaders, in a position of adding value to their businesses.
How has your perspective on resilience changed as your career has progressed?
I’ve learned that resilience is about how you react to hard times and difficult people. One size doesn’t fit every situation and not all outcomes will be what you’d hoped for. It is important to say “sorry” if I’ve got it wrong and it is okay to say “I don’t understand” and it is okay to say “that you are disappointed”. I can’t control people’s emotions or reactions, but I can control my own. Find calm in listening, not talking.
What habits or routines have been instrumental in your personal and professional growth?
Value the opinions of people that support you and tell you what you don’t always want to hear. Listen to your body. If you’re tired then sleep, sad then take a day. Habits can be good and bad. Set routines can get boring and can become a chore, but within routine is freedom, otherwise we’d only do stuff when we feel like it, which most of the time we don’t. My preference is to get up each day with massive purpose and energy. My commitment to my family and my team is what makes me driven to make the most of each day.
How do you stay motivated and continually strive for improvement in your career?
By always setting out to beat my personal best. Like an athlete.
If last month was the best ever, then how do I make next month better again? If last month was the worst ever then, I know I can only do better than last month.
A mindset based on how I can add value to the business through change, innovation and time. Always looking for ways to improve either by accessing better tech or improving processes, allowing for better use of time and resources.
What advice would you give your younger self when you were just starting out?
Don’t stay where you are not valued or respected.
