I’ve Lost Trust in a Process I Once Respected
For several years, I’ve participated in and supported industry awards. I’ve been nominated, shortlisted, and recognised in the past – and I’ve encouraged others to engage with them too.
That’s why it’s not easy to say this, but it’s important to say it honestly:
I’ve lost trust in a process I once respected.
This isn’t a statement made lightly, nor is it driven by one outcome or one moment. It’s the result of reflection, experience, and a growing sense that some industry recognition processes no longer align with the standards of transparency, independence, and integrity that our profession deserves.
Why industry awards matter
At their best, industry awards play an important role. They recognise excellence, elevate professionalism, and highlight individuals and businesses who are genuinely contributing to better outcomes – for clients, teams, and the industry as a whole.
When done well, awards inspire others. They encourage higher standards. They help shift perceptions and lift the bar.
That’s why trust in the process matters so much. Without it, recognition risks becoming performative rather than meaningful.
Where trust begins to erode
Trust doesn’t disappear overnight. It erodes gradually, often quietly.
It starts when judging criteria lack clarity, when conflicts of interest aren’t clearly managed or disclosed, or when outcomes feel consistently predictable rather than independently assessed.
Even the perception of these issues can be damaging. In an industry that already works hard to build credibility and public confidence, governance and transparency aren’t optional extras. They’re essential.
I want to be clear here: this is not about any one individual, any one organisation, or any one result. It’s about process. And process matters.
Asking questions shouldn’t be controversial
Around mid last year, I raised concerns privately about governance and ethics within an awards framework. Not to be provocative, and certainly not to be confrontational – but because I believe industries improve when people are willing to ask uncomfortable questions.
Leadership isn’t always about applause. Sometimes it’s about saying, “This doesn’t sit right – can we talk about it?”
Those conversations aren’t easy, and they’re rarely welcomed. But they’re necessary if we want systems that are robust, credible, and respected by the people they’re meant to serve.
This isn’t about winning or losing
It’s important to say this plainly… this is not about being shortlisted, winning, or missing out on recognition.
Awards are not why most of us do the work. They’re a by-product, not the purpose.
This is about alignment. When a process no longer feels independent or values-led, participation starts to feel like a compromise rather than an honour. And when that happens, stepping back becomes an act of integrity, not disengagement.
Choosing values over validation
For now, I’ve made a conscious decision to step back from engaging with awards processes that no longer align with my values.
That doesn’t mean I’m disengaging from the industry. Quite the opposite. My focus remains firmly on the work itself:
Mentoring and supporting business owners and leaders
Helping property management businesses improve performance, profitability, and compliance
Contributing to industry conversations that are grounded in experience, evidence, and outcomes, not optics
Recognition is nice. But credibility is earned elsewhere – in results, in trust, and in the people who continue to seek your guidance long after the spotlight has moved on.
A broader conversation worth having
I’m sharing this not to divide or to criticise for the sake of it, but to encourage higher standards and more open conversations about how recognition is earned and awarded.
Our industry is full of capable, ethical, hardworking professionals who deserve processes they can believe in, not just outcomes they’re asked to celebrate.
If awards are to mean something, they must be underpinned by transparency, independence, and governance that stands up to scrutiny.
That’s not too much to ask. In fact, it’s the minimum.
