Significant Career Lesson From A Mortgage Loan Officer At Academy Mortgage Corporation
Michael, a Mortgage Loan Officer, learned the importance of tackling difficult tasks immediately—"swallowing the frog"—as a key to productivity and building trust with clients and partners. This proactive approach, whether it involves "a hard conversation" or a complex loan, fosters respect and strengthens relationships due to the honesty conveyed.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Overcoming Challenges, Motivational Stories, Practical
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Chi-Ukpai
Mortgage Loan Officer
Academy Mortgage Corporation, ISAOA
University of Arizona
N/A
Entrepreneurship, Accounting
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing), Real Estate
Sales and Client Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Tackle difficult tasks head-on: Procrastinating on challenging tasks, such as difficult conversations or complex loans, only reduces productivity. Addressing them early improves efficiency and builds respect.
2. Prioritize difficult conversations: Directly addressing challenging conversations with clients or partners, even if unpleasant, fosters trust and honesty, leading to stronger relationships.
3. Honesty and direct communication are valued: Being upfront and transparent with clients and partners, despite delivering potentially unfavorable news, builds respect and encourages future collaboration.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I think a lesson I learned early on is about "Swallowing the Frog." What that means is, I come into the office and there's always that one task I just don't want to do.
You can either run from that task all day or push it to tomorrow, or you can swallow the frog and attack it head-on first thing in the morning. Whether it's a hard conversation with a client or referral partner, or an extremely complex loan I don't even want to get started on.
Swallowing the frog and getting it done ASAP, right as you get into the office, will make the rest of your day a lot more productive. Ultimately, when you tackle those difficult conversations head-on, your clients and referral partners will respect you a lot more for it. And although you tell them what they don't want to hear, they'll come back to you for the honesty you provide.