Teresa found the perfect fit at Smartline 15 years ago and the rest is history. We spoke to Teresa about how she’s built a successful team, how she keeps them motivated and her passions outside of work.
Tell us how you’ve built your team
“Some of my team members have worked for me for a long time, and I've known a few of them since before my time in broking. I work around my staff so that they can prioritise work and family commitments. Not everyone can work full time, especially when they have children, so it’s important for me to be flexible. I feel this makes us successful because we want to be here, we don’t have to be here.”
How do you keep the team motivated?
"It’s extremely important to me that my team members feel included. When we’re together, we’re usually working so it’s important to have down time together as well. If you just think of your team as people you pay, it doesn't work. You’ve got to create that bond with them.
We have two getaways a year. I hire a unit up the coast, we go out for dinner and drinks and just hang out. It’s time away from work, time away from our families.
It’s also important to invest in your team. I’ve put two of my staff through the loan writing program, paid for their diplomas and their training so they can be good loan writers.”
It sounds like you’ve built a close-knit team but how do you approach the difficult conversations?
“We have daily meetings where we go through our files and what’s on each team member’s plate. I know my team well so if I get a sense that something isn’t quite right, I always encourage them to sit down and talk to me.
Every day at noon, we down tools and all go into our boardroom and have lunch together. This time is important. It can’t all be about work. When you’re having these moments together you get the opportunity to find out what’s going on in each other’s lives.”
What’s your dream travel destination?
“I’m a country girl, I live on 500 acres and my partner and I are primary producers, we have cattle. I also compete in Western dressage. Riding is what I do for my mental health. I ride on Wednesday and compete on the weekends. I would love to go to the United States and go to a large saddle shop! I’d also love to see castles in Scotland.”
Teresa competing with her beloved horses, Freckles and Oreo.
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