ERA team leader Brenda Zee does not ask for applause or airtime in her role in leading others. To her, leadership is the hard work of building and keeping trust, exemplary behaviour and nurturing relationships. “I am quite hands-on in the way I lead,” she says. “For me, leadership in real estate is not a numbers game. I believe trust comes first, whether with clients or with my team.”

That belief shows in how she mentors. “I like to understand how they work, what they’re good at and what they want in the long term,” she says. “Everyone is different, so I don’t believe in forcing one style on everybody.”

Hers is a practical style of leadership: build the foundation, then step back. “Once trust is there, I give them space to grow, but I’m always around when they need support.”

This approach, she holds, has worked in developing her agents, who now stand strong on their own. “My team learns to think for themselves, takes ownership and builds genuine relationships with clients,” she says. The result is steady business growth that is referral-driven, built on repeated trust and reinforced over time. Zee puts it in her own memorable way: “The difference between contract and contact is the letter ‘r’, and the ‘r’ stands for relationship.

Zee believes confidence grows when women support rather than compete with one another. (Photo: Brenda Zee)

Space for women to gather and grow

Her commitment to relationship-building extends beyond her immediate team and into ERA EmpowHER, the women-led initiative focused on women supporting women. “What drew me is really the idea of women collectively supporting one another,” she explains.

She observes the mental load required of the most capable female agents on her team, including herself. “Honestly, a lot of these things, we just carry quietly,” she says. “We don’t always talk about how hard it is to juggle family and work, and still have space for ourselves. It’s the reality for many women."

This is where EmpowHER gives female agents respite. “EmpowHER is a space to gather, share stories and grow without the pressure of meeting targets,” she says. “It’s not about being perfect or proving anything, it’s about growing in confidence.”

Confidence, in Zee’s view, is contagious. “I always believe that if I can do it, so can you,” she says. “I hope more women can believe in themselves, speak up and realise they don’t need to change who they are to succeed in real estate.”

Zee’s dedication to her work is also shaped by her commitment to sports. “To me, sports is not about competition,” she says. “My daily gym and long walks keep me grounded.” The lesson here is that long-term commitment outweighs short-term adrenaline rush. “Don’t wait until you feel motivated to exercise; just show up, even when you don’t feel like it,” she says. “Real estate is the same. Do the work every day, even when things are quiet or when deals don’t move.”

As a female leader, Zee believes consistency trumps big energy. “That’s where our mental strength comes into play. Women leaders may not be loud, but we’re definitely steady,” Zee says. “Our people can see that we won’t disappear when things are tough. That’s how trust is built.”

Her method of dealing with setbacks is not to be disheartened, and her daily walk is her time to reset, she says. “It reminds me that setbacks are normal. You fall, you pick yourself up, and move on.” Emotional control is a leadership skill, she notes. “I’ve learnt to shorten the days of sadness — don’t stay down for too long, don’t be offended easily, forgive and refocus.”

For more information,

Contact Brenda Zee | 94509938

Senior Executive Group Division Director (R020852G)

ERA REALTY NETWORK PTE LTD