I've just finished up the first day of the two-day TMC February Event in Scottsdale, AZ. The Masters' Coach group is a gathering of top mortgage professionals (31 this year) who have reached a certain level of success in their careers. The program involves One-on-One Coaching as well as Quarterly Events such as this one. The weather was great, the property is first-rate, but the highlight of my day was most definitely the people!
I always look forward to these events because they are an amazing recharge for me. Even doing what I do, at such an amazing company, I still need to be reminded from time to time about the purpose behind my labor. Here at these events, I get to be face-to-face with the people we are impacting, and hear about their challenges and triumphs firsthand. I am rarely more certain of being in just the right place in my work than when I am at an event.
I still recall my very first event at L'Auberge Del Mar, arriving into this room full of familiar names but strange faces, uncertain of my exact role and how I fit in. Everyone was cordial, and a few made me feel more at ease, but still it was hard not to be intimidated by a room full of very successful people.
What I have come to realize, however, is that there is nothing really intimidating about these people. Yes, some of them do suffer from being Hyperpro and need to show off how cool their cars are and how snobbish they can be about their wine; there is no getting around that. But the more involved I have been in the process of planning and executing these events, the more I see that TMC only works if we fill it with people who are genuine, willing to share, and have a desire not just to make more money, but to make a positive difference in the mortgage industry while maintaining a balanced life. The cool thing is, just about everyone in the room is willing to be transparent enough to admit that they're not doing that perfectly - they don't have it all figured out just yet - and yet they truly want to improve. And so, they are able to help each other do just that.
Selfishly, though, it's a great experience because of how freely everyone shows their appreciation for my role in putting these events together. Much to my amusement, I routinely receive credit for how delicious the meals are.....even though I am convinced that I could throw darts at the menu list and each dish would be as delicious as the next. So, since I'm going to have to eat it too, I just pick whatever sounds tasty to me! But I won't deny that a lot of long hours and thoughtful planning go into each event, and as my role in putting these things together has grown, it's a wonderful and sometimes overwhelming experience to have people showering gratitude on me.
This afternoon, we took the group on a desert hike with the goal of helping them get to know each other better. We told them to ask one another about the focus of their business in the year ahead. What we didn't quite anticipate was that this was a fairly strenuous hike (and I know that is a VERY relative term). The path was steep, the terrain rocky, and the sun bright. Of course, in February it's hard to complain too much about heat or sunshine! But I love the fact that everyone took on the challenge with a good-natured attitude, focused on the great exercise they were getting, the beautiful weather, and the stunning views of the surrounding area. It really was breathtaking, in more ways than one!
I was also impressed by the way that the conversations moved along. I saw people connecting with others they had never met before, staying on task with the questions we'd provided quite often, but breaking sometimes into more personal conversations. I also felt pleased with my own easy ability to engage people in conversation during the hike and throughout the day.
Dinner this evening was relaxed and fun, probably due in large part to the fact that I found myself at the "wine table." At every event, the wine-lovers of the group bring some favorite bottles to share at the group dinner, and everyone who happens to be at their table is treated to as much as they care to try. Tonight, Paul Hirschauer ordered up several bottles of a Pinot Noir he had tried the night before and loved. I helped myself to a glass, only to discover that it was actually the wine produced the the parents of Christine Gerrie, our Sales Assistant at BC!!!! It was fun to discover that connection, and the wine was really very good (and I'm not just saying that in case Christine ever reads this).
I'm tired for sure, but looking foward to another great day tomorrow. Being here among such a driven but caring group of people inspires me to strive even harder to live out the values we have at BC, so that I can be a credit to my company and a positive reflection of our culture.
Maybe it's just the wine talking, but it really is a special experience!
I always look forward to these events because they are an amazing recharge for me. Even doing what I do, at such an amazing company, I still need to be reminded from time to time about the purpose behind my labor. Here at these events, I get to be face-to-face with the people we are impacting, and hear about their challenges and triumphs firsthand. I am rarely more certain of being in just the right place in my work than when I am at an event.
I still recall my very first event at L'Auberge Del Mar, arriving into this room full of familiar names but strange faces, uncertain of my exact role and how I fit in. Everyone was cordial, and a few made me feel more at ease, but still it was hard not to be intimidated by a room full of very successful people.
What I have come to realize, however, is that there is nothing really intimidating about these people. Yes, some of them do suffer from being Hyperpro and need to show off how cool their cars are and how snobbish they can be about their wine; there is no getting around that. But the more involved I have been in the process of planning and executing these events, the more I see that TMC only works if we fill it with people who are genuine, willing to share, and have a desire not just to make more money, but to make a positive difference in the mortgage industry while maintaining a balanced life. The cool thing is, just about everyone in the room is willing to be transparent enough to admit that they're not doing that perfectly - they don't have it all figured out just yet - and yet they truly want to improve. And so, they are able to help each other do just that.
Selfishly, though, it's a great experience because of how freely everyone shows their appreciation for my role in putting these events together. Much to my amusement, I routinely receive credit for how delicious the meals are.....even though I am convinced that I could throw darts at the menu list and each dish would be as delicious as the next. So, since I'm going to have to eat it too, I just pick whatever sounds tasty to me! But I won't deny that a lot of long hours and thoughtful planning go into each event, and as my role in putting these things together has grown, it's a wonderful and sometimes overwhelming experience to have people showering gratitude on me.
This afternoon, we took the group on a desert hike with the goal of helping them get to know each other better. We told them to ask one another about the focus of their business in the year ahead. What we didn't quite anticipate was that this was a fairly strenuous hike (and I know that is a VERY relative term). The path was steep, the terrain rocky, and the sun bright. Of course, in February it's hard to complain too much about heat or sunshine! But I love the fact that everyone took on the challenge with a good-natured attitude, focused on the great exercise they were getting, the beautiful weather, and the stunning views of the surrounding area. It really was breathtaking, in more ways than one!
I was also impressed by the way that the conversations moved along. I saw people connecting with others they had never met before, staying on task with the questions we'd provided quite often, but breaking sometimes into more personal conversations. I also felt pleased with my own easy ability to engage people in conversation during the hike and throughout the day.
Dinner this evening was relaxed and fun, probably due in large part to the fact that I found myself at the "wine table." At every event, the wine-lovers of the group bring some favorite bottles to share at the group dinner, and everyone who happens to be at their table is treated to as much as they care to try. Tonight, Paul Hirschauer ordered up several bottles of a Pinot Noir he had tried the night before and loved. I helped myself to a glass, only to discover that it was actually the wine produced the the parents of Christine Gerrie, our Sales Assistant at BC!!!! It was fun to discover that connection, and the wine was really very good (and I'm not just saying that in case Christine ever reads this).
I'm tired for sure, but looking foward to another great day tomorrow. Being here among such a driven but caring group of people inspires me to strive even harder to live out the values we have at BC, so that I can be a credit to my company and a positive reflection of our culture.
Maybe it's just the wine talking, but it really is a special experience!
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