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Errors of Intent

By
Mortgage and Lending with US Bank NMLS: 22343

Errors of Intent

 

Watching the world grapple with a pandemic has had a profound impact on my ability to count blessings.  Yes, we are sheltered in place, but my immediate family is presently in good health.  And though I suspect the coming days, weeks and months will be disrupted by yet unknown challenges, I am grateful that the hull of my career has been solidly hewn by hours of hard work.  I take deep appreciation of the experience I gained during other times of hardship like 9/11 and the Lehman collapse. Though I worry about the well-being of my 85-year old father, he's seen great returns on the investment he made instilling in me a zero tolerance policy for BS and hypocrisy and a stern warning to never take advantage of others through my expertise, privileges, resources or place in life. 

 

No doubt the developments of the last few days have come at breakneck speed, and there I was having a heart-to-heart with a client in process.  This individual was clearly stressed under the weight of making a critically important decision in a market shifting under our feet.  As I grappled with several of his most pressing concerns, I wondered to myself, "What if I have it wrong?"  "What if this time is different and my advice doesn't apply here?" "What if we just don't know?"

 

In my mid-20's, I was fortunate (again) to have an astute mentor in a job that forced me, for the first time as an adult, to be accountable for decisions that impacted an operation.  I had screwed up and I was scared and embarrassed.  But, I also had an out.  My subordinates could have easily gone under the wheels of the bus this time.  Right about the moment I was stewing in my own panic, my boss burst into my office and short-circuited my fraying wires, "What the hell happened here?"  Reflexively, I told the truth.  I apologized --- I looked him in the eye and said, "Dude, do what you gotta do. I accept responsibility."  He only asked one more question:  "Was it a mistake?"  Ever striving to be perfect, I hesitated again but admitted that, yes, it was.  It was my mistake.

 

The matter was handled from there and we only discussed it one more time, though the impression this subsequent conversation had will stay with me forever.  "Rob," he said, "I'm pissed about the whole damned thing.  I'm not gonna lie.  But it was either your mistake or my mistake for completely misjudging your character."  He continued, "Errors of execution can be forgiven.  Errors of intent cannot.  Get back to work."  With that, the conversation and the ordeal ended.

 

So here we are.  Real estate pros in the middle of a global pandemic. None of us have seen this movie before.  We can't expect all our decisions from this point will be perfect.  We will make mistakes, we will dispense advice that turns out to be bad.  It's inevitable.  And in this time of lockdown and reflection, I am reminded that when my future self looks back at any detrimental advice I may give, will it have been an error of execution or intent?  We don't get to pick the times and circumstances of the crisis that finds us.  We don't get to bend reality to our whims.  But in every decision we make for those who entrust us, who are in our care, who rely on us, we are wholly responsible for our intent.  There is no margin of error here, and no forgiveness for getting it wrong.  Now, get back to work.

 

Take care and stay safe,

 
 

Robert J. Spinosa
Vice President of Mortgage Lending

Guaranteed Rate
NMLS: 22343 
Cell/Text: 415-367-5959 
rob.spinosa@rate.com

 

Marin Office:  324 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA  94960

Berkeley Office:  1400 Shattuck Ave., Suite 1, Berkeley, CA  94709
 

*The views and opinions expressed on this site about work-related matters are my own, have not been reviewed or approved by Guaranteed Rate and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Guaranteed Rate.  In no way do I commit Guaranteed Rate to any position on any matter or issue without the express prior written consent of Guaranteed Rate's Human Resources Department.

 

Guaranteed Rate. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee NMLS License #2611 3940 N. Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613 - (866) 934-7283

Comments (13)

Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Rob, what a powerful message you share here. You are a good man. Carol Williams this is worthy of a Feature, or being in your weekly recap.

Mar 22, 2020 08:48 AM
Rob Spinosa

Thank you,  Lottie Kendall .  I know that you'll be on the front lines too and fielding many of the same questions and concerns as us.  We will all be guided by either the best of ourselves or the opposite when the chips are down ---  and for this, I know your clients will be fortunate as well.

Mar 22, 2020 09:16 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Rob,
What a great message!  This does need to get Featured and, if it does, I'll probably include it as my Double Feature in my next SCS edition. 

Mar 22, 2020 09:28 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Rob,

Great message, and I think that we all for the most part find what we are really capable of achieving.  It is a good time for that.  A

Mar 22, 2020 10:14 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Your great character is shining in this post, Rob, and I appreciate you. I too hope to look back at this time with pride that we handled this thoughtfully, and to the best of our ability.  

Mar 22, 2020 10:42 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

My father and mother always instilled in me to tell the truth. Honestly, I haven't always, but when it comes to owning up and doing the right thing that has always been a priority. Many people wish someone has a crystal ball right about now, but we don't, so all we can do is do our best and admit we don't know everything. Great post.

Mar 22, 2020 12:10 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Rob you have it right.  It is in times of crisis, no matter how small or how big they maybe, that our true charater comes forth.  This is one of those times our charater will be tested.

Mar 22, 2020 03:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Rob- I love what your mentor told you! Mistakes are going to be made in whatever we do - in our professional and personal lives. We have to own up to them then make it right. Our intent always has to be pure. 

Mar 22, 2020 06:29 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Rob Spinosa - Thanks to Lottie Kendall re-blog, I got to read your amazing blog post. It carried with it so much depth and understanding. First of all, you are truly blessed to still have your father. Thank you, for sharing the wisdom he shared with you to make you a better man.

My parents died many years go. There are so many things, I had to learn the hard way. I have gone through tough times throughout my life. Sometimes, one just needs to be reminded by other people's stories, like yours, to regroup and think more clearly. Thank you.

Mar 25, 2020 05:26 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks to Lottie Kendall for sharing this powerful post.  " Errors of execution can be forgiven.  Errors of intent cannot. "

Apr 17, 2020 10:56 PM
Rob Spinosa

Thank you Lottie Kendall AND Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Apr 18, 2020 08:18 AM