How to be an effective leader in times of change

There’s an ancient saying: ‘may you live in interesting times.’ No two ways about it, so far, the 2020s have been very ‘interesting’!

We’ve experienced an extraordinary boom, the likes of which most have never experienced. And, thanks to the pandemic, some massive technology shifts have had a huge impact on how we do business. 

Now, as we settle back into doing business in an open society we are contending with the twin challenges of interest rate uncertainty and rising rates of inflation

Change may be inevitable. But it can also provoke anxiety – especially when a large amount happens in a short space of time. And while it’s easy to be a good leader when things are going smoothly, in challenging times a different approach is required.

So what can principals do to support their agents and other staff through uncertain times?

Be nurturing 

Everyone’s different. So while some people thrived in the Covid years with virtual tours, Zoom meetings, and the plethora of new technologies; others struggled. In my, post-covid conversations, with One Agency principals across Australia and New Zealand, I’ve heard there’s a fresh set of challenges. Staff are adjusting to their personal challenges of being back in an office environment, only to have to contend with a tightened market with rising inflation and interest rates, and these factors are having an impact on performance.

My advice? Remember as a leader that your interpersonal skills are just as important as your sales or business skills. So nurture your people by: 

• Spending more one-on-one time to keep up morale and make people feel valued 
• Working hard to make all your staff feel like part of the team – not just the ones with the highest GCI.

Survival tips for a changing landscape 

• Everyone’s had a lot to deal with over the past few years – from the continued rise of technology and personal challenges too. While no one can predict what’s ahead of us, here are my three survival tips for the year ahead:  
  • Brace yourself for change, and remember that the best way to manage it is to make smart decisions and show good leadership.
  • Consider working with a good business coach so you can deal with whatever comes to pass.
  • Make sure your business is sustainable and your costs are under control, remember it’s not what you make it’s what you keep that counts.

Paul Davies is the founder and CEO of One Agency, which has more than 150 businesses throughout Australasia. During his 50-plus years in the industry, Paul’s biggest single insight is: it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep that counts.

If you love what you do but want to make a change – either to keep more of what you earn, shift to a more lifestyle focused operation and reduce running costs; I invite you to contact me at One Agency and discuss confidentially how our model, (less than $1000 + GST per month regardless of your GCI) may be just the answer to breathe new life into your career and future proof yourself.

“It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep that counts.”
‒ Paul Davies, Founder and CEO

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