At MRG, we understand that finding, assessing and securing leadership excellence goes far beyond CVs and interviews. While our key selection competency matrix is essential, our extensive experience recruiting hundreds of property, estate, and trophy-building leaders has helped us pinpoint the defining traits of truly exceptional on-site asset leaders. These insights come not only from traditional screening but also through the use of advanced psychometric assessments, providing forensic insights into the behavioural strengths of candidates.
By combining these tools with years of sector experience, we’ve been instrumental in placing leaders in iconic, high-profile roles, for iconic landmarks like 22 Bishopsgate, The Shard, 40 Leadenhall and The Whiteley. From our analysis of Personal Profile Analysis (PPA) reports provided by Thomas International, we’ve pinpointed the top 10 traits that make leaders successful in demanding environments, particularly in the development and management of trophy buildings.
Here’s what stands out about great on-site asset leaders:
- Attention to Detail and Accuracy
Leaders with a high compliance trait are meticulous and thrive on precision. In complex environments like trophy buildings, every decision can impact budgets, timelines, and reputation. These leaders ensure that logistics run smoothly, quality is upheld, and every facet of the project is considered with the utmost care, driving successful outcomes through their dedication to accuracy. - Influence and Inspire Teams and Occupiers
Being able to influence drives leaders who excel in team building and motivation. Their enthusiasm is contagious, inspiring teams to perform at their best. While working with people fuels their passion, it’s their genuine desire to bring out the best in others that makes them truly exceptional. This results in positive, highly productive environments where everyone feels motivated to contribute to success. - Structured Environments
Leaders with a strong Steadiness trait perform best when there are clear operating procedures and structures in place. They bring organisation and predictability to projects, ensuring that teams follow consistent processes. In the fast-paced world of property and facilities management, this trait is essential for maintaining control over complex, multi-phase projects and delivering results in a calm, ordered manner. - Accommodating & non-confrontational
Conflict resolution is key in leadership, and those with a low dominance and high steadiness tend to often excel in maintaining harmony. Their approach focuses on collaboration and open communication, which is vital in the high-pressure environments. These leaders create a positive, cooperative atmosphere, allowing for smoother problem-solving and team cohesion. - Adaptability
These leaders are adaptable and composed, even in high-pressure situations. They remain flexible in the face of unexpected challenges, using their ability to keep their teams focused and motivated. This adaptability ensures they can pivot when necessary, always keeping the project’s end goal in sight. No day is ever the same when managing high-profile, complex assets, so leaders must be able to adapt regularly. - Perfectionism
When managing any customer-focused asset, be that a shopping centre, office building, or hotel, a relentless pursuit of excellence is required to ensure no stone is left unturned. While perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, in leadership, it pushes for high standards and quality control. In high-profile buildings where every detail matters, this trait ensures that leaders maintain the highest of standards, driving their teams to deliver the very best results that meet or exceed expectations and can only be described as outstanding. - Desire for Group Inclusion
These Leaders excel in fostering inclusive, team-oriented cultures. They understand the importance of group dynamics and are dedicated to ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. They are good at building trust and encouraging collaboration, which results in stronger teams that are aligned towards shared goals. This is essential for managing diverse, large-scale assets. Due to the mixed status of team members, from traditional colleagues to service partners, group inclusion is vital to achieving a shared goal. - Communication Skills
Strong, open and inspiring communication is a hallmark of all leaders regardless of the industry or sector. Their ability to articulate a vision and rally a team behind it is invaluable. Whether it’s motivating a team, managing stakeholders, or guiding projects, these leaders communicate clearly and effectively, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving forward cohesively. As workplace cultures evolve, we are seeing a greater need for leaders to be open, accessible and able to communicate with different stakeholders differently to get results. - Systematic Approach
Take a methodical approach to problem-solving. They rely on data and facts, ensuring thorough planning and risk management. This systematic approach is particularly important in managing trophy buildings, where strategic decision-making and careful planning are essential to mitigating risks and achieving long-term success. Given the multi-dimensional nature of managing large buildings, leadership must ensure a systematic approach to a potentially chaotic environment. - Persistence, persistence, persistence.
Persistence is key in leadership, especially in large assets which are consistently evolving and changing. Leaders must be patient and resilient, tackling obstacles with determination and maintaining momentum even in the face of adversity. Their steady, unwavering approach ensures that challenges are navigated successfully, inspiring their teams to remain focused and persistent.
Why Leadership Traits Matter in Real Estate
These traits don’t just exist in theory—they’ve been proven time and again through our extensive experience placing leaders in some of the UK’s most iconic assets. The insights we gather through tools like the PPA help us identify candidates who not only fit the immediate role but also possess the behavioural strengths that are essential for long-term success in the demanding environment of real estate and development.
This is where MRG Consult, our strategic consultancy, plays a vital role in shaping leadership teams. We prioritise understanding not only the necessary competencies but also the behavioural traits that distinguish outstanding leaders. Through a data-driven approach, we ensure the leaders we place are equipped to thrive in demanding, high-stakes environments.
Whether you’re a specialist candidate in building or a client seeking an exceptional leader to manage your asset, our Real Estate team at MRG is here to support you. Experts like trained psychometric profiler Matthew Evans (matthew.evans@mrgglobal.com) and Emilia Fasano (emilia.fasano@mrgglobal.com) bring precision and insight to every placement. At MRG, we believe in giving our clients a competitive edge by placing leaders who not only fit the role but exhibit the behavioural traits essential for success. With tools like the PPA, we gain deep insights into candidates, ensuring they align with roles where they’ll thrive and bring lasting value. By focusing on these strengths, we help our clients secure leaders who can elevate projects and drive long-term impact.
We’ve built a strong track record of placing exceptional leaders in iconic assets and institutions across the UK and globally. Our commitment to providing a service that is different by design ensures that we’re not just finding the right person for the job—we’re finding the best possible leader for every challenge.