The power of ‘yes’: Katrina Tarrant on mindset, mental health, solving the housing crisis and tech versus touch

Elevate: The Official Podcast of Elite Agent Magazine

In this episode of the Elevate podcast, hosted by Samantha McLean, the Harcourts NSW CEO shares the powerful story of her son Lachy Cameron’s inspiring 900km run from Brisbane to Sydney to raise funds and awareness for mental health.

She reveals how she took up running to support Lachy on the journey, and how the life-changing lessons learnt along the way include the power of perseverance and mental resilience and why, in life and real estate, you need to prioritise progress over perfection.

Katrina also shares how she got into real estate, her incredible 28-year career and how coming from a place of saying ‘yes’ saw her take on bold career moves with the right balance of trepidation and determination.

She also takes a deep dive into the power of goal-setting and shines a light on why it’s so important to look beyond just GCI and consider wider business success and whether you’re taking the time to make memories and enjoy the little moments.

Sam and Katrina also reflect on the housing crisis, with Katrina outlining why she believes in urban consolidation and rentvesting, before revealing they’ll both be speaking at the Australian PropTech Summit.

Finally, Katrina explores the delicate balance of integrating technology with the human touch in real estate and how you can use it solve your clients pain points as well as the ‘clunky’ areas of your business.

“There will be beautiful moments on disappointing days and disappointing moments on beautiful days. Just remember to be human. It’s about living through those seconds, those minutes, those hours, but being supported is having someone to hold you through them. So think about who that support system is.” – Katrina Tarrant

Sam and Katrina also discuss:

• 1:50 – AREC insights: Katrina shares the life-changing takeaways from AREC, including Chip E’s powerful words that inspire her to live life to the fullest.
• 4:43 – The yes journey: How Katrina’s ‘yes’ mindset has propelled her real estate career and how her passion for helping others has been key to her success.
• 7:30 – Housing crisis blueprint: Katrina’s innovative solutions to the housing crisis, from urban consolidation to the benefits of rentvesting and build-to-rent.
• 11:46 – Record-breaking run: Lachy Cameron’s inspiring 900km run from Brisbane to Sydney, raising awareness and funds for mental health, and how she took up running to support him along the way.
• 16:50 – Mind over matter: The life and real estate lessons from Lachy’s run, including the power of mental resilience, the importance of perseverance, and focusing on progress over perfection.
• 22:25 – Beyond GCI: Why setting goals is about more than GCI, the importance of making memories, and savouring life’s small moments.
• 23:15 – Tech and touch: How technology can enhance real estate practice, meet team and client needs, and how to balance tech with building relationships.
• 25:10 – Reality TV inspirations: Where Katrina draws inspiration from for her engaging Elite Agent columns, what agents can learn from MAFS and SATC, and which real estate pro secretly loves these shows.
• 28:20 – Australian PropTech Summit – What Katrina and Sam will speak on, how AI can help the rental crisis, aid PMs in solving clients’ pain points, and elevate service quality.
• 31:50 – Ethical edge: Understand why Millennials value ethical businesses, how to align with these values, and the role of technology in boosting your agency’s ethical practices.
• 34:00 – Stay present: Embrace the importance of staying present, being honest, and understanding that true strength comes not from not feeling pain, but overcoming it.

Links

Detailed episode guide

Katrina Tarrant, CEO of Harcourts New South Wales and ACT, joins Samantha McLean on the Elevate Podcast to discuss leadership, mental health, and the evolving landscape of real estate. With over 30 years in the industry, Katrina shares unique insights into its challenges and rewards.

Celebrating Achievements and Embracing Challenges
Katrina candidly discusses the importance of recognising what drives a business’s success and addressing areas for improvement. She advises businesses to review operations, identify inefficiencies, and explore how technology can help. However, she stresses that the human element remains essential.

Human Connections in a Digital Era
A key insight from Katrina is the need to balance technological innovation with genuine personal interactions. At Harcourts, this approach combines efficiency through technology with meaningful client relationships, ensuring personalised and thoughtful service.

Addressing the Housing Crisis
Katrina shares her involvement in an affordable housing study, reflecting on why some recommendations remain unimplemented after two decades. She advocates for urban consolidation and innovative solutions, such as build-to-rent schemes and rentvesting, to tackle housing affordability issues.

Lessons from Lockie
A personal highlight for Katrina is supporting her son Lachlan in his record-breaking marathon for mental health awareness. Lachlan’s dedication, despite physical challenges, taught Katrina and her family the importance of resilience and determination—qualities vital in real estate and life.

Finding Strength in Adversity
Lockie’s efforts profoundly impacted Katrina’s perspective, showcasing that mental strength can triumph over physical limitations. His unwavering commitment highlights a key mindset for success: having a strong ‘why’ can overcome any ‘why not.’

Bridging Technology and Personal Touch in Real Estate
Katrina is set to participate in an upcoming PropTech event, where she will explore how technology can address modern real estate challenges. She sees predictive analytics and digital tools as critical for enhancing maintenance and landlord-tenant relationships.

Summary
Katrina Tarrant’s conversation highlights the importance of balance, resilience, and purpose in leading a real estate business and navigating life. Her insights offer valuable perspectives for thriving in the fast-paced property industry while prioritising well-being.

FAQ on Leadership, Mental Health, and Real Estate with Katrina Tarrant

1. Who is Katrina Tarrant?
   Katrina Tarrant is the CEO of Harcourts New South Wales and ACT, with over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. She is known for her expertise in leadership and her advocacy for mental health awareness.
   
2. What topics are discussed in this podcast episode?
   Katrina and Samantha McLean discuss:
   • Leadership strategies in real estate.
   • The importance of mental health and resilience.
   • Balancing technology and human connections in business.
   • Addressing housing affordability issues.
   • Insights from Katrina’s personal experiences, including supporting her son’s marathon for mental health awareness.
     
3. What does Katrina say about balancing technology and personal touch?
   Katrina highlights the importance of combining technology for operational efficiency with meaningful human interactions. She believes this balance ensures personalised service for clients, which is critical in real estate.
   
4. What solutions does Katrina propose for the housing affordability crisis?
   Katrina advocates for:
   • Urban consolidation.
   • Build-to-rent schemes.
   • Rentvesting as a flexible housing strategy.
     She also stresses the need for innovative approaches to meet modern housing demands.
     
5. What is Katrina’s perspective on resilience and mental strength?
   Inspired by her son Lachlan’s marathon for mental health awareness, Katrina emphasises the importance of resilience and having a strong ‘why’ to overcome challenges. She views mental strength as a key driver for success, both personally and professionally.
   
6. What upcoming event is Katrina involved in?
   Katrina will be speaking at an upcoming PropTech event, discussing how technological advancements can align with current real estate trends, such as predictive analytics and improving landlord-tenant relationships.
   
7. What key advice does Katrina share at the end of the episode?
   Katrina offers two pieces of advice:
   • Acknowledge the ups and downs of daily experiences.
   • Remember that strength is not the absence of struggle but the courage to face challenges head-on.
     
8. Who would benefit from listening to this episode?
   This episode is valuable for:
   • Real estate professionals looking to enhance leadership skills.
   • Business owners interested in balancing technology and human touch.
   • Anyone seeking insights on resilience, mental health, and personal growth in a professional context.

The post The power of ‘yes’: Katrina Tarrant on mindset, mental health, solving the housing crisis and tech versus touch appeared first on Elite Agent.