Embattled real estate supremo John McGrath has described the tumultuous start to the new year as the "best few days" of his life as he steps in to steer the business.
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On Monday, three directors, including chairman Cass O'Connor and chief executive Cameron Judson, said they would step aside from the business.
The move prompted a 13.79 per cent plunge in the company's share price from 58 cents on Friday to 50 cents and cleared the way for Mr McGrath to become executive chairman.
The McGrath real estate network is one of the largest in Australia with 97 offices across the east coast, the majority in NSW. The company listed on the ASX in late 2015 at $2.10 a share.
Mr McGrath on Tuesday fronted 1000 agents and team members from the real estate network at the company's annual "kickstart" event at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
"We will be moving forward at a pace not seen before. This business has incredible greatness and resilience," Mr McGrath said, according to a copy of remarks provided by the company.
"We will be laser-focused, customer-centric, fast, agile and our innovative heritage will once again come to the fore.
''I have more passion and determination than I have ever had."
In his closing comments to agents, he told the room he was "excited" to be working for the company in his new capacity, and that the efforts of staff had made the transition a positive experience.
"It's the best few days of my life rather than what could've been the worst," he said, thanking the agents for their support.
When Mr McGrath asked the audience what they learnt from conference, one agent spoke up about the management shake-up.
"The best thing I got from today so far was that you're taking back the wheel," the agent said, to applause from the room.
The conference focused on all aspects of the McGrath "family" - with Mr McGrath at one point tearing up over a hospitalised staff member.
Sessions through the day included a discussion of the company's community efforts, a talk on eating health snacks, and tips for working in a digital world with REA Group's Steve Carroll.
There was also a Q&A with Mr McGrath and top agent Kieran Bresnahan teaching agents how to have "authentic" conversations with vendors and how to handle competitors who overquote, an agent technique that involves promising a seller a lot of money for their home to get their business even when the sum is not achievable.
"People have got to like and trust you before they do business with you," Mr McGrath said.
McGrath shares were at 51 cents in late afternoon trading.
Mr McGrath refused to take media interviews.
