Colliers [NASDAQ: CIGI]

Leanne C. Reynolds

Career Growth Advisor

Are you a driven property management professional ready to level up your career? Success in this dynamic field doesn’t come overnight - but with intention, persistence, and a little strategy, it’s well within your reach. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take the next big leap, these five strategies, which I adopted early and continue to use, helped my career growth, can also help unlock your potential and move you toward greater impact, financial growth and professional fulfillment.

1. Build a Powerful Network

Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards - it’s about planting seeds for long-term career growth. By connecting with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, you gain insights beyond your current role and access to opportunities you might not otherwise encounter.

Attend industry events. Join professional associations like BOMA, NAIOP, CREW, local Chambers of Commerce, or business improvement associations. Better yet, volunteer for a committee or special project. These experiences are low-risk, high-reward ways to learn from seasoned professionals - and they often open doors.

Research backs it up: professionals who increase their visibility and participate in industry groups see more promotions, higher compensation, and greater career satisfaction. Want to amplify the impact? Showcase your takeaways and involvement on social media. It signals that you’re invested, engaged, and going places.

2. Be a Team Player

Michael Jordan famously said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Property management is not a solo sport. It’s fast-paced, collaborative, and depends on people who can step up - and step in - when it counts.

Show your value by offering to back up a colleague or take on tasks outside your job description. Shadow another department like finance, health and safety, or strategic planning. Volunteer for your company’s social committee or simply make an effort to connect with others in the office. These small gestures show you’re invested in more than just your own to-do list.

And when you have a great idea? Don’t just suggest it - offer to make it happen. Say, “We should nominate this property for an award. I’ll handle the application.” Initiative like that gets noticed.

3. Find a Mentor (or Two)

No one climbs the ladder alone. Behind every great career is someone who offered guidance, perspective, or a well-timed reality check.

Seek out mentors who inspire you, ideally outside your immediate team - someone senior at another organization, from a different industry, or even a competitor. Great mentors offer more than career tips; they provide context, confidence, and clarity.

As Oprah Winfrey put it, “I don’t think anybody makes it in the world without some form of mentorship.” It’s one of the most powerful accelerators for personal and professional growth.

4. Never Stop Learning

Property management is evolving fast - and those who thrive are the ones who evolve with it. Continuous learning is not just recommended; it’s essential.

Pursue industry credentials like the RPA, CPM, FMA, or LEED to deepen your expertise. According to the Institute of Real Estate Management, Certified Property Managers can earn more than twice the average salary of a non-credentialed property manager.

Attend conferences. Tune in to webinars. Read everything - leases, PM agreements, vendor contracts, client reports - and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A well-marked-up document and a curious mind will get you further than you think. Most senior leaders are more than happy to explain the “why” behind the work. After all, someone once did the same for them.

5. Ask for Feedback - and Use It

Growth starts with self-awareness. Regularly ask for feedback from your manager or colleagues - not just once a year during review season, but throughout the year.

Where are you strong? Where could you stretch? Ask what specific actions you need to take to reach the next level in your role. Then set goals, define milestones, and track your progress. Keep a record of your wins along the way; it makes those performance reviews a lot easier - and more rewarding.

A career in property management is full of potential—for those willing to chase it. Stay curious. Stay involved. Keep learning, connecting, and reaching. The future of this industry needs forward-thinking leaders like you.