Moving Forward How to Build Great Teams Diversity Fosters Success in Challenging Times By Steve Irwin, President, National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association “Fundamental honesty is the keystone of business.” —Harvey Firestone, Founder, Firestone Tire Co. WE ARE ALL more than familiar with the monumental headwinds our industry has faced over the past few quarters. These challenges necessarily spill over into our efforts to build best-in-class teams that embody rapid-response structures, are nimble and can adapt to the ever-changing environment. And they need to be imaginative and critically, completely honest with themselves, management, colleagues and customers. The teams who embody these intangible attributes surely will weather the storms and will be shining examples of the possibilities of our industry. How then do we create a corporate environment that will nurture and promote such intangible strengths? How do we recruit and retain teams that will grow with honest situational awareness? One key is the creation of a workplace where employees are well-grounded and happy since that kind of environment reduces turnover and attracts the sort of new and diverse talent these times demand. It is important to note a recent study by Glassdoor indicated that more than “ … three out of four job seekers and employees (76 percent) report that a diverse workforce is an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers. This means that whether or not your company is interested in increasing its diversity, most candidates are nevertheless evaluating diversity when they research your company and during the interview process.” The times demand a workplace that is welcoming of individuals from all walks of life and can honestly relate to your diverse customer base. While diversity is a critical component to creating a corporate culture that will propel growth and unleash your teams in amazing directions, so too will a culture that focuses on collaboration and transparency among diverse team members. An honest commitment to the training, personal development and career development of your unique and diverse teams will establish a truly invigorating learning environment and keep your best talent thoroughly engaged. Yes, our marketplace is dealing with unprecedented challenges. These challenges are opportunities to honestly reevaluate our corporate cultures and take those cultures in fresh and exciting directions. Striving to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that promotes honesty, creativity and imagination will help propel us forward and make our entire industry stronger once we get to the other side of this cycle. Let’s be honest, we know the impact will be evident in improved bottom-line performance, enhanced employee engagement and unprecedented customer satisfaction. Steve Irwin REVERSE MORTGAGE / JULY–AUGUST 2023 5
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