Building a Tech-Driven Future by Asking the Right Questions

Kathleen Stubbs, Asia Pacific Regional Technology Director, Colliers

Kathleen Stubbs is the Asia Pacific regional technology director at Colliers. With over 25 years of IT leadership experience across diverse industries, she has a proven track record in driving digital transformation and operational excellence. Based in Sydney, Kathleen has held vital roles globally in law firms, accounting firms and real estate organizations, overseeing large-scale technology implementations and change management initiatives.

Recognizing Stubbs’ visionary leadership and dedication to IT, this exclusive interview delves deep into her invaluable insights on career growth and inclusive hiring practices. She emphasizes the crucial role of clear communication in successfully executing large-scale projects. Stubbs highlights the value of perseverance, passion and networking while sharing personal anecdotes and offering practical advice.

At a Glance:

● The crucial role of effective communication in project success and the need to tailor messages to different audiences.

● The potential of AI to enhance productivity and deliver superior value to clients in the real estate sector.

● It is important to have curiosity and a growth mindset to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Career Defining Moments: Personal Growth and Team Dynamics

I’ve been reflecting on pivotal moments in my career when I assessed where I was and where I wanted to go. Two experiences stand out.

The first was a personal turning point. Becoming a mother to two children, now teenagers, marked a significant shift in my career trajectory. Returning from maternity leave, I realized I wanted to take control of my professional path. For the first time, I proactively discussed my career goals with my manager rather than passively seeking their guidance. I defined my aspirations and set a clear ten-year plan. This experience taught me the importance of driving one’s career and seizing moments of change to take decisive action.

The second pivotal moment we involved challenging team assumptions. We were recruiting for a project management role and encountered a highly qualified candidate who could only work four days a week due to personal commitments. Initially, the team was hesitant because of the project’s scale, but I advocated for the candidate, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives. By thinking creatively, we found a solution that accommodated both the candidate’s needs and the project’s requirements. This experience reinforced the belief that an open-minded approach and inclusive practices can lead to more incredible innovation and success.

Overcoming Challenges: Effective Communication and Stakeholder Management

Communication remains the most significant challenge I encounter. Effectively conveying information to a broad audience often requires multiple attempts. Tailoring messages to specific audiences is crucial for achieving desired outcomes, whether it’s program adoption, team alignment or securing buy-in from senior leadership.

“You don’t know what you don’t know—that’s always stuck with me. Curiosity and asking the right questions are essential for filling in knowledge gaps. These perspectives help me approach situations with optimism and a proactive mindset.”  

Asking the right questions ensures that communication aligns with project goals. Successful projects rely heavily on effective communication, facilitated through daily stand-ups, agile methodologies and clear role definitions.

Cultivating in-country champions is essential for driving project success. Negative experiences can spread rapidly, undermining overall project outcomes. By fostering a solid communication foundation and engaging key stakeholders, we can increase the likelihood of project success.

Optimizing Security and Efficiency: Communication as a Key Enabler

Security and efficiency are often seen as competing priorities. While robust security measures are essential to protect systems and data, they can sometimes hinder operational efficiency.

Conversely, systems optimized for speed and ease of use might compromise security. To strike a balance, we must carefully assess risks and implement security measures proportionate to the potential impact. Regular communication with stakeholders and leadership is crucial to align security goals with business objectives. By employing risk assessment methodologies and considering both security and efficiency in decision-making, we can create systems that are both secure and effective.

AI-Driven Transformation: Enhancing Client Value in Real Estate

AI is a critical tool for driving business outcomes at Colliers. We’re actively exploring its potential to enhance productivity across the organization, from streamlining daily tasks like writing and communication to enabling data-driven decision-making.

Our focus is on leveraging AI to deliver superior value to our clients. Tools like Colliers Commute and Colliers Insights empower us to provide actionable insights and support informed decision-making. By utilizing AI for advanced analytics, 3D visualizations and data-driven storytelling, we aim to create a competitive advantage in the real estate sector.

Building a High-Performing Team: Six Pillars of Leadership

My leadership principles have been a work in progress, evolving over the years. People who know me well have heard me talk about them countless times.

True grit is foundational. Angela Duckworth’s TED Talk on grit, with its emphasis on perseverance, passion and persistence, really resonated with me. In tech, nothing worthwhile comes easy. You need that relentless drive, that burning desire to see things through. It’s like those Olympic athletes who endure countless hours of grueling training – that level of commitment is essential, even if our projects aren’t entirely on that scale.

I’ve always believed in breaking free from job titles. Limiting yourself to a job description stifles opportunities. I’ve always pushed myself to wear different hats and seek new challenges. That’s how you find those hidden gems, those game-changing ideas.

Imagination and critical thinking are my go-to tools. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve processes, create competitive advantages, and do things better. It’s about thinking big while staying grounded in the day-to-day.

Respect and empathy round out my leadership philosophy. Everyone deserves to be heard, understood and supported. By putting myself in others’ shoes, I can build stronger relationships and create a more positive work environment.

Leadership Lessons: Reframing Challenges and Cultivating Curiosity

A key tool in my leadership toolkit is reframing challenges. I’m a firm believer in finding the silver lining, especially in tough times. For senior leaders, a growth mindset is essential. It’s about spotting opportunities where others see obstacles. This resilience, coupled with perseverance, is what fosters longevity in a dynamic field like technology.

A famous line from the TV show Schitt’s Creek resonates: ‘Trust me, no one is thinking about you the way that you’re thinking about you.’ It’s a stark reminder that our self-perception often differs dramatically from reality. My mom used to say, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’ and that’s always stuck with me. Curiosity and asking the right questions are essential for filling those knowledge gaps. These perspectives help me approach situations with optimism and a proactive mindset.