Why Stepping out of the Office Makes Better Leaders

In real estate, it is easy for Directors and business leaders to become consumed by the day to day. There is always another issue to solve, another call to return, another team member needing support, another transaction requiring attention.

The pace is relentless. While that is part of what makes the industry so dynamic, it also means many leaders rarely give themselves the time or space to think beyond the immediate.

That is exactly why stepping out of the office is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Reflecting on the recent Stockdale & Leggo Leaders Retreat on Rottnest Island, COO Catherine Rogers said the experience reinforced just how critical it is for leaders to remove themselves from the constant operational noise.

Last week, at our Stockdale & Leggo Leaders Retreat on Rottnest Island,

I was reminded just how important it is for leaders to remove themselves from the constant noise of the office and create room for reflection, learning and connection.

Held at Samphire Rottnest Resort from 22 to 25 March 2026, the retreat created an environment designed for fresh thinking, honest conversations and renewed energy.

Our conference day featured insights from supplier partners, technology partners, leadership speakers and high performing agents, covering topics from business performance and AI to property management challenges, marketing, team wellbeing and the broader state of the industry.

The program included sessions from Tanja Lee, REA Group, REX, Taskforce and Macquarie Bank, alongside a panel discussion focused on property management challenges. Leaders also participated in a practical self defence session led by Stockdale & Leggo Shepparton Director Scott Butler, a Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt with decades of experience.

But as valuable as the formal sessions were, the real power of a retreat like this comes from what happens around them.

It comes from the conversations over dinner. It comes from the bike ride around the island where someone shares an idea that worked in their office. It comes from hearing how another

Director has tackled a challenge that you have been grappling with yourself. It comes from spending time with peers who understand the pressures of leadership and who can offer perspective, encouragement and practical ideas.

That is what makes time away from the office so powerful.

When leaders are given the chance to slow down, they can think more clearly. When they are exposed to new ideas and different viewpoints, they return with sharper focus.

When they spend time with like minded professionals in a setting that is both productive and enjoyable, they build stronger relationships and broader thinking that benefits not only themselves, but their teams and businesses as well.

Our retreat also deliberately created space for leaders to recharge. Alongside the conference program, delegates had the opportunity to enjoy a private walking tour, segway tours, bike riding, lawn bowls, group lunches and dinners, swimming and an optional yoga session before departure.

The Samphire Resort, described as just a short journey from Perth yet a world away, offered exactly the kind of environment leaders need to reset and return home renewed.

Too often, downtime is seen as time lost. I would argue the opposite.

Strategic thinking does not happen well in the middle of constant interruptions. Leadership development does not happen by accident. Innovation is often sparked when people are given the chance to step outside their usual environment, engage with others and look at their business with fresh eyes.

Sometimes the most productive thing a leader can do is pause, reflect and reconnect with the bigger picture.

For those of us leading in real estate, there is also another important factor. Leadership can be isolating.

Directors and senior leaders are often the people everyone turns to, but they themselves rarely get the chance to openly share ideas, challenges and opportunities with peers who truly understand. Retreats and leadership events create that opportunity.

They remind us that while each office is unique, many of the challenges we face are shared, and often the best ideas come from one another.

What I saw at Rottnest Island last week reinforced this in every way. Leaders learning from experts. Leaders learning from each other. Leaders having important conversations about the future of the industry, their teams and their businesses.

And just as importantly, leaders taking a breath, having some fun and returning with renewed clarity and motivation.

That is not stepping away from leadership. That is leadership.

As our industry continues to evolve, the leaders who will make the greatest impact are those who are willing to invest not only in their businesses, but in themselves. Time out of the office to think, learn, connect and recharge is one of the most valuable investments a leader can make.

Because when leaders come back refreshed, everyone benefits. Their teams benefit. Their clients benefit. Their culture benefits. And their business is stronger for it.