Credit: GRI InstituteIs Laughter the New Metric for Real Estate Leadership?
Leading with passion and building resilient teams: insights from the GRI Global Gathering - Women Leading Real Estate
September 4, 2025Real Estate
Written by Jorge Aguinaga
During a panel at the Global Gathering of Women Leading Real Estate, a dynamic discussion between top female executives in the industry unfolded, moving beyond traditional leadership tropes to define a modern blueprint for success.
The conversation provided a candid look at how leadership has transformed in recent years, emphasising a more human-centric approach rooted in authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety.
One of the most powerful definitions of leadership came from an anecdote about a bishop who was asked to define his leadership style. He responded that he knew his leadership was working "when there's laughter in the room".
The speaker explained this means creating an environment where people feel comfortable enough with their leader and their peers to laugh freely. This idea of creating a culture of psychological safety, where people aren't afraid of being judged, was a central theme throughout the discussion.
Flowing directly from this is the crucial role of empathy, which one speaker defined not as a "negative feminine trait" but as a genderless ability to put yourself in other people's shoes.
Empathetic leadership involves approaching issues with curiosity rather than preconceptions and asking questions instead of simply providing answers. This creates a "safe space" where team members feel heard and supported. Emotional intelligence (EQ) was highlighted as a vital, and likely unteachable, attribute for any modern leader.
One effective strategy discussed for channeling this passion is to identify the unique strengths and motivations of each team member, a concept likened to the Japanese principle of "ikigai" - the idea of finding the fulfilling sweet spot where your passions (what you love), your skills (what you are good at), and viable market demand (what you can be paid for) all overlap.
A leader's role is to find what people do well and let them "run with that task". By understanding who the "finders, minders, and grinders" are on a team, a leader can place people in roles where they will not only excel but also feel energised and fulfilled.
Furthermore, leadership can be a highly isolating position. To combat this, the panel stressed the critical importance of building a robust support network of peers, mentors, and even external coaches.
When faced with the challenge of poor leadership from above, the key is to "manage up" by
finding an internal sponsor - a person in the organisation who has your back and can help you navigate difficult situations.
A final, crucial distinction was made between leaders and managers, with the panel agreeing that not everyone is meant to be a leader, and that this is perfectly acceptable. Organisations often make the mistake of promoting high-performing individuals into management roles they are not suited for, which can result in disengaged teams.
True leadership is not a title earned through performance metrics but an innate ability to inspire and guide others.
During a panel at the Global Gathering of Women Leading Real Estate, a dynamic discussion between top female executives in the industry unfolded, moving beyond traditional leadership tropes to define a modern blueprint for success.
The conversation provided a candid look at how leadership has transformed in recent years, emphasising a more human-centric approach rooted in authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety.
Redefining the Leader
The panel began by establishing that the modern leader is first and foremost a visionary who builds a team founded on trust. The speakers agreed that the concept of leadership has evolved significantly over the years. It has shifted from a model based on charisma and top-down management to one focused on supporting team dynamics and orienting people through difficult conditions.One of the most powerful definitions of leadership came from an anecdote about a bishop who was asked to define his leadership style. He responded that he knew his leadership was working "when there's laughter in the room".
The speaker explained this means creating an environment where people feel comfortable enough with their leader and their peers to laugh freely. This idea of creating a culture of psychological safety, where people aren't afraid of being judged, was a central theme throughout the discussion.
The panel agreed that modern leadership is defined not by charisma alone but by authenticity, empathy, and the ability to build trust. (GRI Institute)
The Power of Authenticity and Empathy
A strong consensus emerged around the importance of authenticity. Panelists rejected the idea of fitting into a preconceived "mold" of what a leader should be, advocating instead for embracing one's own natural style. This authenticity allows leaders to create a space where their team members feel comfortable trying new things and even making mistakes within reasonable boundaries.Flowing directly from this is the crucial role of empathy, which one speaker defined not as a "negative feminine trait" but as a genderless ability to put yourself in other people's shoes.
Empathetic leadership involves approaching issues with curiosity rather than preconceptions and asking questions instead of simply providing answers. This creates a "safe space" where team members feel heard and supported. Emotional intelligence (EQ) was highlighted as a vital, and likely unteachable, attribute for any modern leader.
Fueling High-Performance Teams
The discussion delved into the role of emotion in the workplace, with panelists concluding that emotion and passion are "two sides of the same coin". While uncontrolled emotional reactions can be counterproductive, passion is essential for inspiring people and building high-performing teams.One effective strategy discussed for channeling this passion is to identify the unique strengths and motivations of each team member, a concept likened to the Japanese principle of "ikigai" - the idea of finding the fulfilling sweet spot where your passions (what you love), your skills (what you are good at), and viable market demand (what you can be paid for) all overlap.
A leader's role is to find what people do well and let them "run with that task". By understanding who the "finders, minders, and grinders" are on a team, a leader can place people in roles where they will not only excel but also feel energised and fulfilled.
The GRI Global Gathering brought together industry leaders from across the world to discuss the key trends and challenges facing the market. (GRI Institute)
Navigating the Challenges of Modern Leadership
The speakers openly acknowledged the difficulties of leadership. The post-COVID shift to hybrid work models have made it harder to create the natural bonds and culture that once formed in the office.Furthermore, leadership can be a highly isolating position. To combat this, the panel stressed the critical importance of building a robust support network of peers, mentors, and even external coaches.
When faced with the challenge of poor leadership from above, the key is to "manage up" by
finding an internal sponsor - a person in the organisation who has your back and can help you navigate difficult situations.
A final, crucial distinction was made between leaders and managers, with the panel agreeing that not everyone is meant to be a leader, and that this is perfectly acceptable. Organisations often make the mistake of promoting high-performing individuals into management roles they are not suited for, which can result in disengaged teams.
True leadership is not a title earned through performance metrics but an innate ability to inspire and guide others.
Recommended Reading on Leadership
Throughout the discussion, several books were recommended as valuable resources for developing a nuanced and effective leadership style.- Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra: This book was praised for its practical advice on how leaders should strategically evaluate and cultivate a diverse personal network for mentorship, guidance, and support.
- Lead Like a Girl by Dalia Feldheim: Highlighted for its specific focus on the female leadership experience, this book offers guidance on how to create and leverage a strong network to navigate shared challenges
- Just the Good Stuff by Jim VandeHei: A speaker recommended this book from the co-founder of Axios for its central leadership concept. It argues that a key to team cohesion is identifying what individuals do well and empowering them to "run with that task".
- The Social Brain by Tracey Camilleri and Samantha Rockey: This book was recommended for its thesis that the number of people on a team fundamentally impacts communication and effectiveness, with certain numbers being ideal for specific goals like making decisions.