When Cassandra Saab became a coaching client and joined MASTERMIND. With Sherrie, she wasn’t sure she belonged. But as the director of Coronis Bracken Ridge, in Brisbane, listened to industry leaders, top athletes, and CEOs share their insights, she realised that growth comes from discomfort—and leadership isn’t about having all the answers. In this blog, Cassandra reveals the game-changing lessons that helped her step up, take charge, become a true CEO and build one of Coronis’s best agencies.
When I joined ‘MASTERMIND. With Sherrie’ in 2023, I felt like I didn’t belong.
Sitting in a room full of successful business owners, I questioned whether I had anything to contribute to the group coaching sessions that followed each incredible speaker.
Everyone else seemed to have it all figured out, while I felt like I had a long way to go.
Imposter syndrome had kicked in hard. At the time, my husband and business partner, Dion, and I were just two sales agents stuck in the daily grind, trying to find a way forward. Fast forward to today, and not only have we built a thriving business of our own, but I’ve also stepped into a leadership role where my insights are valued and sought after. The shift didn’t happen overnight, but looking back, it all started with a change in mindset.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Growth is uncomfortable.
If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing.
That was something Sherrie helped me understand early on.
Every challenge, every tough conversation, and every decision that scared me ended up being the exact thing that pushed me forward. For me, the mindset shift wasn’t just about gaining confidence—it was about stepping into a leadership role with purpose. That meant getting clear on our three-year, five-year, and 10-year goals and reverse engineering the steps to get there. It also meant accepting that I didn’t need to have all the answers right away; I just needed to take action and figure it out as I went.
Building a business, not just selling homes
Two years ago, Dion and I were working in a business selling homes. Now, we own our own office and manage a growing team, and I’ve taken on the role of CEO and CFO. That transition was massive.
When we acquired our rent roll, I personally called every single landlord to introduce myself, ensuring they felt connected to our business. I worked side by side with our property managers, not just to oversee operations but to gain their trust and respect.
I also started leading our team’s goal-setting sessions—something they had never done before. It was overwhelming at first, but it taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about setting a vision and helping your team get there.
Lessons from my favourite MASTERMIND speakers
MASTERMIND introduced me to some incredible speakers who completely changed my perspective on leadership and business.
Peter Ritchie (McDonald’s Australia’s CEO) – He transformed my thinking on leadership and team dynamics. One of his key messages stuck with me: age is just a number. He talked about how McDonald’s trusts 18-year-olds to manage stores—so why should younger agents doubt their ability to lead? That message resonated with me, and I now pass it on to my team.
Liam Paro (Professional Boxer) – Hearing from a world champion athlete about peak performance and mindset was eye-opening. His coach, Alfio Di Carlo, made a statement that stuck with me: Know your lane and stay in it. That reinforced the importance of focusing on what I do best and surrounding myself with experts to fill in the gaps.
Colleen Callander (Sportsgirl’s CEO) – Her analogy about self-care hit home: If you’re a Ferrari, you can’t just keep driving without servicing it. That shifted my approach to work-life balance. I no longer feel guilty about taking time off or setting boundaries. In fact, for the first time ever, Dion and I changed our voicemail and email auto-replies before going on holiday, redirecting everything to our team. Letting go was tough, but it was a huge step in trusting our people and prioritising our well-being.
The takeaway: Trust yourself and own your success
Looking back, I realise the only thing holding me back was my own self-doubt.
The moment I stopped thinking of myself as ‘just an agent’ and started owning my role as a leader, everything changed.
I no longer hesitate to share my insights, because I know they have value.
Now, our business is thriving, our rent roll has grown from 173 to 240 in just 18 months, and our goal is to hit 500 within three years. More importantly, I’ve learned that success isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about taking action, backing yourself, and continuously learning.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong, know that I’ve been there too. But the moment you back yourself, others will start to as well.
At MASTERMIND in 2024 something had changed.
As we shared insights and case studies, I noticed people listening—really listening—to what I had to say. By the end of the event, three attendees had told me how much they valued my input, and other attendees in the group even asked me to come and speak to their teams.
That was the moment I realised: I do belong here.
And so can you!
If you’re ready to take the next step then MASTERMIND. With Sherrie in 2025 is for you!
I would love for you to join us to hear from incredible speakers including Anywhere Brands Executive Advisor Sherry Chris, Wildlife Warrior Terri Irwin, Richard Branson’s former EA Samantha Cox, and many more! You can find out more and enquire to be a part of this exclusive, 30-attendee community of Masterminders here.
And if you’re ready to build the self-belief and structure to take your business to the next level, let’s chat about how 1:1 coaching can help you get there!
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