Katie Cotton on leadership, life balance and legacy

Elevate: The Official Podcast of Elite Agent Magazine

As Head of Growth and Performance at Ray White Ascot, Katie Cotton knows how to bring people together and get the most out of herself and her team, all while juggling the day-to-day challenges of family and work life.

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, guest host Steve Carroll sits down with Katie Cotton to explore her journey in real estate, from single motherhood to becoming a key leader at one of Australia’s largest Ray White offices.

She talks about insights on female leadership in real estate, balancing family life and creating positive workplace cultures that drive success.

Katie brings a fresh perspective on leadership, challenging traditional paradigms while staying focused on the importance of hard work, routine and relationship-building to achieve success.

“You have to work hard. So many people come in trying to manage the mum life versus the working life. And there is absolutely no easy answer, but you have to work hard. You have to be passionate.” – Katie Cotton

10 things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. How Katie balances being a mother of three with a demanding career
   Timestamp: 07:00
   
2. The importance of routine in managing work-life balance
   Timestamp: 08:00

3. Strategies for implementing change in traditional real estate environments
   Timestamp: 10:00

4. Signs of a healthy office culture and effective leadership
   Timestamp: 13:00

5. Essential advice for newcomers to the real estate industry
   Timestamp: 15:00

6. Managing workplace challenges and maintaining positivity
   Timestamp: 17:00

7. Key mentors who shaped Katie’s career journey
   Timestamp: 19:00

8. Creating equitable opportunities in real estate
   Timestamp: 22:00

9. Brisbane’s real estate future leading up to the Olympics
   Timestamp: 24:00

10. Lessons in resilience from personal challenges
    Timestamp: 26:00

Links

Instagram
LinkedIn
Ray White Ascot
Hands Across the Water Charity

Detailed Episode Guide

From Single Mom to Industry Leader
Katie’s journey began as a young single mother at 19, facing the challenges of balancing parenthood with career aspirations. Her experience demonstrates that with determination and the right support systems, it’s possible to achieve significant professional success while maintaining strong family bonds.

The Power of Routine
One of Katie’s key insights is the importance of establishing strong routines. Rising at 5 AM daily isn’t just about discipline, it’s about creating a structure that enables both professional excellence and quality family time. This approach has allowed her to manage multiple roles effectively, from leading at Ray White to raising three children.

Challenging Traditional Paradigms
While acknowledging the male-dominated nature of real estate, Katie emphasises focusing on merit rather than gender. Her approach centres on creating opportunities for all while maintaining high standards of performance and professionalism.

Building Effective Teams
Katie shares valuable insights about identifying potential in new team members: “I can teach you skill, I can’t teach you energy.” This philosophy has helped her develop successful teams and nurture new talent in the industry.

The Future of Brisbane Real Estate
Looking ahead to the 2032 Olympics, Katie anticipates significant growth and transformation in Brisbane’s real estate market. She discusses the emergence of new developments and the revitalisation of established areas, painting an optimistic picture of the region’s future.

Lessons in Resilience
A powerful story about completing a 535-kilometre charity bike ride despite injury demonstrates Katie’s resilience and determination. This experience mirrors her approach to business challenges: “Tomorrow’s a new day” becomes both a mantra and a method for overcoming obstacles.

Summary
Katie Cotton’s story shows how modern leadership in real estate combines professional excellence with personal authenticity. Her approach to balancing family life with career success while fostering inclusive and high-performing teams offers valuable lessons for industry professionals at all levels.

FAQ

1. What is Katie Cotton’s current role?
   Head of Growth and Performance at Ray White Ascot
   
2. How does Katie manage work-life balance?
   Through strict routines, starting days at 5 AM, and maintaining clear boundaries between work and family time
   
3. What is Katie’s advice for newcomers to real estate?
   Commit fully to the career, expecting the first 12-18 months to be challenging but rewarding afterwards
   
4. How does Katie approach building team culture?
   By fostering respect, celebrating achievements together, and encouraging collaboration despite industry competitiveness
   
5. What does Katie look for when hiring new team members?
   Energy and, attitude, believing skills can be taught, but natural energy cannot
   
6. How does Katie view the future of Brisbane real estate?
   Very positively, especially with the upcoming Olympics driving growth and development
   
7. What is Katie’s approach to leadership?
   Building relationships, demonstrating value, and maintaining open communication
   
8. How does Katie handle workplace challenges?
   Through respectful communication and maintaining a positive attitude despite difficulties
   
9. What role does technology play in Katie’s approach to real estate?
   She advocates for embracing new technology while ensuring it adds value to core business activities
   
10. How does Katie promote diversity in real estate?
    Through conscious effort to create fair opportunities while maintaining focus on merit and capability

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