It Ain't Complicated

Leadership

It was another energizing day. Any time I get the chance to get out of dodge and get face-to-face with our teams across the country, it simply energizes me. My trip to be with our outstanding team in Grand Rapids did exactly that. The energy, teamwork, curiosity, gratitude, momentum, and professionalism are infectious.

At one point in the day, I was asked a question about what I see as the loan originator of the future. After a brief interruption by a video call from my daughter, Ella (boys, rule number one: if your wife or daughter calls…you answer it…), I said the formula isn’t complicated. While we have life-changing technology evolving at the speed of sound, the principles don’t change and haven’t for hundreds of years.

Be the expert. Know your product better than the competition and how to deploy it in a way that solves people's problems.
Be relationally exceptional. Know how to connect with people, listen to understand, build trust, and leave them better for the encounter.
Show up every day and put in the work. Be the hardest-working person in the room.

Now the person who utilizes available technology to enhance their deployment of those three principles in ways complimentary to their skill sets can materially impact their results. It’s not complicated. Be the expert, love people, show up, work hard, and leverage available tools to bring out more of who you are into the marketplace.

"...they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, 'Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!' And they left their nets at once and followed him." (Matthew 4:18-20)

Jesus didn't complicate things. Follow me and do what I do. That's it. When he encountered people, he didn't walk them through a complicated playbook, give seven steps to success, judge past performance, analyze feelings, or hide behind scrolls, tablets, or the technology of the day. He saw them, he stepped into their struggles, and he loved them. Over and over again. It's not complicated. Get out of your own head and follow me, He said.

Don't get sidetracked by the wiz-bang, shiny thing of the day.

Technology is a constant disrupter and that's cool. It should be leveraged to its greatest impact, but don't be deceived, it can only bring out more of who you are. If you want to be successful, be the expert, love people, and work hard. Follow His example.