Real estate and charity combine, 10 property styling mistakes to avoid, NSW to ban background check fees, +news and more

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Authoritative leadership is out, and instead, leaders need to inspire innovation and autonomy in order to create a healthy organisation. That’s the message from McKinsey’s latest Organisational Health Index. Empowering your employees, embracing data-driven decisions, and leading with purpose will help you drive innovation, boost performance, and secure long-term success. And one person who understands the importance of leading with influence and impact is Jet Xavier, who shares his tips on becoming a leader that lasts here.

Today we are covering:

• Real estate and charity combine

• 10 property styling mistakes to avoid

• NSW to ban background check fees

• Control your actions, not the market

• And much more!

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On our radar

Real estate and charity combine

Laing+Simmons Young Property has quickly become more than just a real estate agency in Avalon, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Hosting local artists and supporting numerous charities, their unique community-focused approach has raised more than $40,000 for local causes. Along the way, principal Amy Young says the agency, with its exhibition space called The Studio, has also fostered resilience, connection, and hope within the community. More here.

If you know of a real estate professional doing something good in their community, let us know about it at [email protected].

Today’s Feature

Justine Wilson: 10 mistakes homeowners make when styling a home for sale

Avoiding common home styling mistakes can significantly boost a property's appeal. In today’s feature, interior designer Justine Wilson reveals how you can guide your vendors through these pitfalls and lead them to faster sales and higher offers. More here.

Brekky Browse

Meanwhile, in the US 🇺🇸

The world’s tallest battery

Architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has announced a partnership with Energy Vault to develop skyscrapers designed for renewable energy storage, using gravity energy storage solutions. These "battery skyscrapers" would store potential energy by elevating giant blocks during low-demand periods and converting it back to electricity by lowering them when demand spikes. While the concept faces questions regarding its economic viability and the need for structural adaptations, SOM and Energy Vault are confident in its potential, citing their recent success with a similar project in China and the urgent need for scalable energy storage solutions to meet global net-zero goals.

Anything else?

Now that’s a ‘novel’ idea!

National Book Lovers Day, celebrated annually on August 9th, is a time to embrace and celebrate the joy of reading. It's a perfect occasion to explore new genres, revisit old favourites, and share the love of literature with fellow enthusiasts. Reading not only provides a delightful escape but also enhances mental stimulation, reduces stress, and improves concentration and empathy. What happens if you fear you don’t have time to read? We’ve got 10 steps to take you from reading zero to 20 books a year.

Dates for your diary

Find Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean speaking about real estate and AI at these upcoming events:

August 11-14 Elite Retreat, Hayman Island, Qld
August 25 PPM Conference, Gold Coast, Qld