Many pundits in business have long deliberated on the differences between leadership and management. Leadership, many presume, is about inspiring people. It's about practicing what you preach and setting an example that others will follow on their own volition. Management, on the other hand, is about directing people to accomplish a desired outcome. This involves setting and enforcing guidelines in order to ensure that things get done. Both managers and leaders are needed in business and every great business executive will play both roles.Click to continue

Hammerhouse LLC has released its Third Annual Survey of Originator Opinion, which seeks out originators for their opinions on critical issues facing the mortgage industry and impacting their job performance.Click to continue

Caliber Funding LLC has announced that it has appointed Tammy Richards as its new senior vice president of operations. Richards has more than 30 years of leadership experience in mortgage banking and extensive expertise in process improvement, quality management, technology and leadership development. In her new role she is responsible for overseeing Caliber's processing, underwriting, closing, credit and appraisal departments across all channels of the organization. Richards reports directly to Caliber President Jim Ferriter.Click to continue

LoanSifter Inc. has announced the hiring of Sue Stewart as vice president of client services. With a 30-year track record of successfully running mortgage companies, Stewart’s vast industry knowledge coupled with her strong technology background will be leveraged to support LoanSifter’s growing products and client base.Click to continue

It's about that time again. It's the moment of truth—not just for a couple of politicians seeking the Holy Grail of their political careers, but also for the citizens of our beloved country. More than the presidential candidates demonstrating their values as leaders, we the people are demonstrating our values as followers. We are telling them how we want to be led. The question we need to ask ourselves is: "Are we telling them the right things?"Click to continue

The future ... in this industry, it is very hard for someone to see. There are so many obstacles that a manager has to deal with on a daily basis that it is difficult to see two inches in front of them. Yet, seeing the future is an imperative part of managing. Some would say that long-term vision is the main difference between a manager and a leader. Today, there it is more important than ever to have a long-term vision as a leader in this industry.Click to continue

When many of us hear the word, "leader," we confuse the term with manager, boss, supervisor or other leadership titles. The fact is, having a leadership title doesn't make someone a leader. We've all worked for people anointed with leadership titles who have absolutely no leadership skills. We've also worked with people who, after three days on the job, seem to have extraordinary leadership potential, and naturally know how to lead through example and inspiration.Click to continue

I just returned from spending two-and-a-half days in Gettysburg, Pa. attending a Campus MBA leadership event that was conducted literally on the grounds of the Battle at Gettysburg, an event put on by the Lincoln Leadership Institute of Gettysburg, in conjunction with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Over the course of my 37-year career in the mortgage industry, I have attended many outstanding training/educational sessions and heard many great speakers.Click to continue

I get the following question in some shape or form just about every month from my clients who are managers … “I am trying to grow my company, but it is tough to lure top producers, and even the lower-level producers just want to hear about our commission plan. How can I start a meaningful conversation with viable candidates?”Click to continue

You are a successful mortgage loan originator. You have your own referral base and a network of sources from which you draw a substantial share of your business. You are a proven commodity. Have you ever wondered if there is a better professional environment for you out there … somewhere? We all think about it from time to time, particularly after something at our current place of employment has not gone particularly well. But is it true? Could there be a place that better fits who I am and what I have to bring to the table? Quite possibly.Click to continue