"Be a sponge; it's OK to be new."
Continuous learning is the most effective way for mortgage professionals to perfect their approach to the business – and this includes absorbing valuable lessons from those who have already taken further steps in the industry.
“Through my daily conversations with [financial industry business] owners, I came to the realization that I had a genuine interest along with the drive to learn about the financial services industry and helping consumers achieve their financial goals,” Reaza Ali of Fisgard Asset Management Corporation recently told Canadian Mortgage Professional.
This augmented his decade of extensive experience in the financial industry before entering the mortgage space, Ali said.
“I find that in this career, nothing is stagnant and you are always learning – which keeps me engaged and excited for what the future has in store for us all,” Ali said. “I always believed that in focusing on the client’s needs and providing a high level of service with the appropriate solutions, these clients will be in a better position to keep coming back and become your most valued advocates.”
Read more: TMG agent continues learning along the way
Joe Markham, principal broker at Edison Financial, said that every mortgage professional should cultivate a zest for learning, along with a drive to articulate this know-how to help others learn in turn.
“Be a sponge; it’s OK to be new. Find someone in the industry you can lean on and ask questions. Finding a great broker, mentor, and leader is so important,” Markham said. “To become a pro, it’s going to take time. Being new is OK – but turning ‘I don’t know’ into the solution or the answer is what is going to make you great.”
A collaborative atmosphere within the organization also pays off huge dividends, Markham said.
“One of our sayings here at Edison Financial is, ‘The inches we need are everywhere around us.’ This means that the little things we do each day are important, and it’s not just myself or the other leaders who will find them; it’s a collective. From the newest team member to the most senior, everyone has a voice.”
Learn more from CMP’s collection of proven effective industry strategies.
