Balance the Scales: Growth, Leadership and the Power of Investing in Women

By Tina Ashton, Chief Growth Officer, Harcourts International

As Chief Growth Officer at Harcourts International, my role is centred on one thing: unlocking potential. Growth in our business is never just about numbers — it’s about people. And over the years, one truth has become undeniable to me: the transformative power of investing in women cannot be overstated.

Throughout my career, I have witnessed how empowering women transforms not just businesses, but communities. When women are given the tools, the confidence and the opportunity to lead, the impact is profound. Teams become more collaborative. Decision-making becomes more considered. Innovation accelerates. Culture strengthens.

When women take on leadership roles, they bring fresh perspectives and practical solutions that drive meaningful progress. Their success extends far beyond their own achievements — it uplifts families, strengthens communities and fuels economic growth.

At Harcourts, that belief underpins initiatives like Harcourts Inspirational Women. Through our speaker events and mentoring programs, we are intentionally creating pathways for women in real estate to step forward.

Our network of Ambassadors across every state of Australia provides practical guidance, accountability and support — not theoretical encouragement, but tangible tools to help women succeed and seize opportunity, both within Harcourts and across the wider industry.

In my role, I see clearly that growth and equality are not separate conversations. They are intrinsically linked. Organisations that invest in women build stronger pipelines, more resilient cultures and more sustainable success.

Balancing the scales will not happen by chance. It will happen because leaders choose to invest, advocate and create opportunity. It will happen because we commit to dismantling barriers and replacing them with pathways.

This International Women’s Day, I remain deeply committed — as a leader, and as a woman — to ensuring that growth at Harcourts means growth in opportunity for everyone.