We all know that time passes quickly, but every so often we experience a situation which really brings this point home. As I opened the door to my office today, she was already there. Smartly dressed in light weight spring coat, she looked relaxed and smiled brightly as I walked in. It had been years since we had seen each other & there was so much catching up to do. After a quick tour of my new office, we decided meet for lunch at a local Italian restaurant.
As we caught up on work & life, she said..."I read your blog about your oldest son. I can hardly believe he is a senior now? I remember having lunch with you at the Chinese restaurant when he was nine!" That was nine years ago! Was it possible that Sarah & I had not been to lunch for almost 9 years? Yes, we had touched base occasionally during that time but somehow we had lost touch professionally.
I had met Sarah in 1995 when I first started my real estate career. One of my first clients had been pre-approved for a loan through a senior mortgage officer at the brokerage company she worked for. When he decided to chuck the whole mortgage business aside and return to his first love...truck driving...Sarah was his recommended choice. The real estate market was just beginning its' boom cycle & Sarah quickly moved up the ranks and then, after a couple of years, out the door to another bank. Having lost 2 loan officers in the same company in a period of 3 years, I was tentative about following her...and over time, we both moved on.
During lunch, we reminisced about various people who had been a part of the mortgage company, which had now been sold. One
of the owners was now a stay at home mom with 2 adopted kids, & Sarah herself had married and become the mother of a delightful 3 year old daughter. Although so many years had passed, there was instant connection based on mutual respect & regard for the bond of professionalism we shared.
It was at her company that I had learned the basics of financing which would be so helpful to my future clients. There was never any doubt that the pre-approval issued was anything less than a valid promise to fund the loan once a suitable property was found. I never felt that my questions were unimportant. I was certain that my clients, regardless of who they were or the type of home they were purchasing, would be given a fair and honest evaluation when applying for a mortgage. Closings were uneventful, the paperwork arrived at the title company well in advance of the closing and clients were not surprised by unexpected costs. In the context of what has happened in the sub-prime markets recently, this type of service remains a shining example.
I wondered why it had been so easy to loose touch. I think it was a function of simple neglect and the distraction being busy. We used to sing a simple song as kids. It went like this: " Make New Friends, but Keep the Old, One is Silver & the Other Gold. " I was reminded today that although we will all make new friends and connections, it is important not to neglect relationships which have stood the test of time. Meeting with Sarah today reminded me of the gold that is present in well established professional relationships.
- Gold is Rare. Established professional relationships built on solid foundations of mutual regard and respect are not easy to come by. They are are rare, appreciate them!
- Gold is an excellent Conductor. Great professional relationships are able to propel your business to the next level. Working with solid, honest ethical individuals tends to lead to contacts who possess these same qualities. Examine the kinds of contacts your professional relationships are generating. Are they good Conductors, creating Connections which are beneficial and healthy? I can see that connecting with the right people early in my career has had an incredible impact on my business, and I Am Thankful.
- Although Gold is heavy, it is also very soft & malleable. Solid professional relationships last because they can weather the changes & challenges which are a part of life circumstances....They can carry the weight. But, they can also adapt and are malleable and able to conform to fit the new needs that situations dictate. Don't be afraid to explore new ways of relating to old friends and professional contacts.
- Gold does not tarnish. A strong professional relationship can whether the test of time and allow reconnection in new and interesting ways. This is why although so much time has passed, Sarah & I reconnected & reaffirmed the importance of keeping in touch. Reach out & re-establish connections which proved their worth in the past. Good relationships are not easy to find.
Sometimes gold is hammered into a very thin gold leaf...but in-spite of the fact that it is spread thin and there is not much of it, it retains incredible value in a wide array of applications including being utilized in jewelry & electronics. This is true in solid professional relationships as well. As we conversed over a leisurely lunch, I learned about some very innovative loan construction products that Sarah has become a specialist in. She in turn is coming to a Blogging Seminar that I've invited her to. So mine your professional relationships for the stuff that lasts...for even just a little bit of gold can go a long, long way!
For further information about the properties of pure gold visit:
Sarah Baar is an Experienced Senior Loan Mortgage Officer with Founders Bank & Trust in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She services a wide variety of loan products and Specialises in Construction Financing. Contact her at sbaar@foundersbt.com for all you mortgage and lending needs.
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