Lessons in Real Estate Leadership from Southeast Asia

Real Estate Leadership

I didn’t move to Southeast Asia to become a real estate leader. Like many others, I arrived with ambition and a willingness to learn, but I stayed because I saw something bigger. Over the years, I’ve discovered that real estate leadership in this region is less about control and more about connection. It’s not just about developing properties. It’s about developing people, places, and trust.

Leadership here isn’t transactional. It’s relational. And that means showing up again and again in rooms that don’t look like your comfort zone. I’ve made major deals across Vietnam and Cambodia, but some of the most meaningful leadership decisions I’ve made weren’t financial. They were personal. Supporting a small school for disabled children. Taking a risk on a young hire who reminded me of myself 20 years ago. Turning down a quick profit because the long-term impact didn’t sit right.

There’s no playbook for leading through change, and Southeast Asia is a region defined by it. From evolving regulatory landscapes to cultural nuances across borders, it’s easy to feel like you’re always catching up. What I’ve learned is this: resilience isn’t about being unshakeable. It’s about being adaptable. I’ve led through economic downturns, shifting political climates, and even my own personal health scares. What’s kept me grounded is the belief that leadership is service, not status.

That’s why I speak openly about the mistakes too. Like the time I sank a quarter million dollars into a tech platform we never launched. I was trying to innovate, but I didn’t ask the right questions or the right people. That failure taught me more than a win ever could. It reminded me that being a leader doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means having the humility to admit when you don’t.

At Avison Young, we talk about creating spaces where people and communities can thrive. But that starts inside the company with how we lead, who we promote, and the kind of culture we build. I believe in open doors and honest conversations. I believe in empowering local voices. And I believe that the real measure of leadership isn’t the title. It’s the legacy you leave behind.

Whether you’re mentoring a young associate or breaking ground on a new development, leadership in real estate is a daily practice in empathy, clarity, and courage. And in Southeast Asia, where the stakes are high and the pace is fast, that kind of leadership matters more than ever.