Problem solving is an important skill for all professionals. Entrepreneurial mortgage professionals are no exception! Encountering problems doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong. Sometimes, they’re just a part of the job. Other times, they’re a sign that you’re challenging yourself. No matter the source, entrepreneurial loan officers need strong problem-solving skills to succeed and thrive. If they want to navigate the ups and downs of the industry and drive their professional growth, knowing how to approach problems to arrive at the best solutions is key. Let’s take a look at how top entrepreneurs problem solve effectively:
Get Creative
Entrepreneurs are all about creativity. They’re trailblazers. They’re not looking to do things the way they’ve always been done, they’re looking to improve them. This applies when it comes to their problem-solving efforts as well. Entrepreneurs remain open to new ideas and solutions. They embrace strategies like brainstorming where they can generate a variety of creative thoughts. They don’t have a strong filter here that keeps them attached to the status quo. They give themselves the space to be creative. They don’t reject an idea right away just because it’s a new way of doing something.
Collaborate
Though entrepreneurial loan officers can be very independent, this doesn’t mean they reject collaboration. In reality, the best entrepreneurs highly value the ideas of others. When they come up against a challenging problem, these professionals are willing to work together with their team. It might be a joint brainstorming session or an email exchange. It doesn’t matter how you invite others into your mission. Working together to solve a problem is a great way to learn new things, strengthen connections, and arrive at original solutions.
Experiment
Entrepreneurs don’t just think of creative solutions to problems, they try them. Entrepreneurs are willing to experiment when it comes to problem solving. They know that great problem solving can sometimes involve risk. Not every solution you try will work perfectly, and that’s okay. Rather than playing it safe and remaining in their comfort zones, entrepreneurs are willing to try, fail, learn, and try again.
Step Back
Entrepreneurs are dedicated and driven, and the best ones also know when it’s time to take a step back. This doesn’t mean abandoning a problem. It means that if you’ve been working to find a solution for a while and haven’t arrived at something useful, giving your mind a break or changing things up might help. It might be switching to a different task for a bit or going for a walk. Giving yourself the space to approach a problem in new ways can help you arrive at the most effective solution.
Problems are inevitable, no matter how successful you are. In fact, the more successful you are, it’s likely because of the more problems you’ve faced and overcome! This is why strong problem-solving skills are key. When you approach problems like an entrepreneur, you supercharge your chances of finding a successful solution. Instead of letting problems stand in your way and hold you back, you transform them into opportunities for growth and innovation. Do you have any problem-solving strategies you find useful? Please share them with us.
Kirk Brewer
Branch Manager | Loan Geek | NMLS #150287