Reakmark Urban’s associate director of property management, Nicole Hazell, has risen through the organisation and forged her own style based on care, hard work and a deep understanding of the industry.
Celebrating her 10-year anniversary at Realmark, Ms Hazell reflected on her professional journey which saw her switch from beauty therapy to real estate back in 2014.
“I went and got my license and, through an introduction from West Coast Property Training, I kind of fell into Realmark’s lap, and I accepted my first role as an assistant property manager,” she said.
“Only a few months later, I moved office, and was given my own portfolio. It was daunting at the time, but very exciting. I’ve been at Realmark ever since.”
Five years later, she was offered the opportunity to lead the property management team at Realmark Urban and, while it wasn’t a responsibility she sought, she credits the career growth pathway provided to her as a key factor in her longevity.
“John and Anita (Percudani) have given me both the opportunities and the confidence needed to know I can do the job and do it well,” she said.
“I'm really grateful for that side of it because without them I wouldn't have ever dreamt of it.
“It’s always felt like a natural progression and pathway, and I think that's part of why I like the role so much - because I started from the start and I learnt the why and the how and our processes and our systems and procedures.”
Now with five years' leadership experience now to her name, Ms Hazell believes she has adopted her own brand of empathetic leadership to help steer her team to success.
“I genuinely care about my team and I have a lot of empathy and compassion for my people because I understand property management can be a really thankless job have the best of times,” she said.
“I try to put back into the team, reward them, encourage them and maybe even hold their hand a little bit more than I should, but I feel like it keeps the team strong and well-supported.
“I wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself, and I think that mentality comes from my own pathway and how I’ve come to be in this position.”
She said her proudest achievement is the closeness of the team under her, which is a testament to her leadership quality.
Mentor and founding director at Realmark, Anita Percudani, said in addition to growing herself, Ms Hazell has supported the growth of the team members under her.
“It’s just is an enormous reward, from my perspective, because I feel like Nicole’s journey has been as a consequence of her taking an opportunity, and she’s blossomed within it while achieving so much,” said Ms Percudani.
“I think she's the epitome of what Realmark is all about. It's about caring, belonging and providing opportunities for others, which she does very well.
“Nicole’s achievements and this milestone give me a great sense of pride.”
Congratulations to Nicole Hazell - 10 years at Realmark!