What mentoring gives back

RCP's Managing Director explains why mentoring the next generation is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Author

Greg Atkinson

Date

In more than 22 years in property, I have learned that the parts of this job that stay with you are rarely the ones on the critical path. Mentoring is one of them.

This year I again took part in the Property Council of Australia's Queensland Mentoring Program, and it reminded me why I keep saying yes.

It would be easy to treat mentoring as another item competing with deadlines and billable hours. I see it differently. Our industry runs on relationships and on experienced people opening a door for someone earlier in their career. Someone did that for me, and passing it on is part of how we keep the sector healthy.

In 2025 I mentored Samantha Collins, Senior Development Manager at Keyton. My aim was simple: share what I have picked up, talk through the real decisions she was weighing, and widen her network. Over the year I connected her with senior leaders across Brisbane, including at South Bank Corporation, Howard Smith Wharves, Charter Hall, the Queensland Government and the Brisbane Lions. Those conversations gave her practical perspectives that no formal program can script. Her reflection at the end of the year meant a great deal.

"Thank you, Greg, for your mentorship and knowledge that you so openly shared. To anyone thinking about joining next year's program, run, don't wait, it's worth it!" - Samantha

A two-way investment


Mentoring is not one-directional. Explaining how I approach procurement, risk or a difficult stakeholder makes me examine why I do things the way I do, and listening to someone at a different career stage keeps me curious about where the industry is heading.

Supporting the next generation is part of how RCP contributes, alongside my work on the Property Council's Queensland Division Council and programs such as 500 Women in Property.

We will keep backing initiatives that build the capability of future leaders, and I would encourage professionals at every stage to explore what the Property Council's mentoring programs offer.

About the author

Greg Atkinson

Managing Director

People

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