For Chloe Zhang, leadership is not defined by the number of people who follow her, but by the number who grow beyond her. She brings to life the adage, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

A group division director at ERA, a key builder of the biggest Chinese team at ERA and one of the strongest Chinese agent networks in Singapore, her mantra is: support deeply, train intentionally and develop people to think independently.

Born in China, Zhang arrived in Singapore in 2005 on a scholarship and has become a Singapore citizen.  After graduating with a degree in material science and engineering, she began working in supply chain management at a large American MNC; a stable and well-defined career path. But stability, she realised, was not the same as fulfilment. Fourteen years ago, she made a decisive switch into real estate — drawn by the autonomy and long-term potential the industry offered.

“Real estate forces you to confront your limits very quickly,” she reflects. “You either grow, or you stay comfortable.” Over the years, growth has become the central theme of her career, not just for herself, but for those she leads.

While independence is the goal, Zhang does not believe in a one-size-fits-all leadership style. “People are at different stages of growth. Leadership must evolve with them.”

For new entrants, training is hands-on. Fundamentals are drilled — from client communication and objection handling to transaction structuring and negotiation frameworks. “When someone is new, confidence is fragile,” Zhang explains. “At that stage, they don’t need freedom, but clarity, structure and close guidance to build strong foundations.”

As agents gain experience, the mentorship shifts from directing to coaching. For mature agents, the focus moves beyond techniques to strategy — market positioning, investment structuring, personal branding and team-building. “Mature agents don’t need someone to tell them what to say,” she says. “They need someone to challenge how they think.”

At this stage, Zhang emphasises analytical depth, independent judgment and a push beyond their comfort zone. “The goal is not just to close the next deal,” she adds. “It’s to build resilience and longevity in their careers.”

Build a meaningful career without losing yourself

Zhang’s perspective as a female leader has also sharpened over time. She observes that women in leadership roles often fall into the trap of over-giving. “Being constantly available, carrying emotional labour, absorbing stress — many women leaders do it instinctively,” she notes. “It comes from care. But it is not sustainable.”

Burnout, she learnt, is not a badge of commitment but a leadership risk. Zhang now places strong emphasis on boundaries, both for herself and her team.

“This doesn’t mean that I care less about my people,” clarifies Zhang. By encouraging her team to take ownership, she protects her own capacity while helping others to step up.

That philosophy extends into her involvement with the ERA EmpowHER initiative. The programme supports women not just professionally, but holistically, through various activities.

“I want women to see that it’s possible to build a meaningful career without losing yourself in the process,” Zhang shares. Outside of work, Zhang sketches and draws, a hobby she rekindled during the pandemic. It is a quiet counterbalance to the intensity of work and a reminder to herself that creativity and reflection matter.

“I might book my instructor to run a masterclass for us at EmpowHER sessions as a useful mental outlet for busy women!” she quips.

For more information,

Contact Chloe Zhang | 96670960

Group Division Director (R048011A)

ERA REALTY NETWORK PTE LTD