There is no such thing as a perfect friend.  They are all human and everyone is alike in some sort of way.  Be like me.  Don’t limit yourself to one set of friends.  Be friends with everyone.

According to Black Enterprise Magazine, “there are seven financial friends everyone should have on speed dial.  Economists & academics believe that at least part of the wealth disparity between African Americans and White Americans in the United States can be attributed to the persistent distrust of financial institutions among a larger number of African Americans.”

The first financial friend we all need is a PERSONAL BANKER OR BRANCH MANAGER

Many borrowers spent most of the time focusing on their credit application and forget to build additional resources to help them qualify.  What does it mean to develop a meaningful relationship with your personal banker/branch manager?  It means to attempt to develop a deeper level of rapport with the person on the other side of the desk.  If you can befriend your banker it means it will have an emotional investment in helping you and your application.

This does not mean that they will violate lending policies or commit fraudulent acts, but if the deal needs a little massaging to make it work they will commit resources to get it done.  You can establish a better relationship with your personal banker is simply through respecting their time and treating them with some common courtesy.  You can also go the extra mile by calling them on their birthday, asking them if they want coffee at your next appointment together or contacting their branch manager when they’ve done a good job and singing their praise.

Have you established an authentic relationship with your personal banker or branch manager?

We all have blind spots.  You can’t see them!  We can’t avoid them and probably will never get rid of them!  Seems obvious, but YOU aren’t in the best position to see your blind spots or to know how they are affecting the people you lead and the relationships you’re in.

Here’s what I’m learning as I lead:

Your greatest strengths can also do damage to your team dynamics. You tend to think that everyone values the same things you value and that everyone is good at the same thing that we are good at.

NOT TRUE!

Over the next few weeks I invite you to join me as I read Strength Finder 2.0.  Strengths Finder 2.0 is the follow up to Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton’s Now, Discover Your Strengths. The book includes a revamped version of the StrengthsFinder test that shows you not just what your top five strengths are, but also how you rank in the rest of the 34 strengths from Buckingham & Clifton’s model.

I recommend that you get the Strength Finder’s book. It’s a great tool to have on your shelf.  After reading the book and completing the Strength Finder survey, I will post my results and encourage you to do the same.  I hope this discussion will encourage you to become more aware of your own blind spots.  Please join me on this amazing journey.

Are you up for the challenge?

Today, I received an email from Apple encouraging me to reserve or pre-order my iPad.  Honestly, the more I learn about this device, the more tempted I become.  I am beginning to think this could be a game-changer.

Check out this new ad:

Temptation is real…

Temptation always appeals to the vulnerable part of your heart.  The taste will be palatable, persistent and powerful.

Don’t believe me, ask Adam & Eve:

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6)

Temptation is…

1. Enticing - It appeals to your hopes and desires (I plan to use the iPad to preach & teach…yea right).
2. Enjoyable - It promises you immense pleasure (I can see myself smiling as I use my iPad).
3. Evasive - It evades the truth with excuses (My heart is telling my head to find a reason to justify the purchase).
4. Escalating - It multiplies your appetite for more (If I don’t control it now, my desire for more will increase…darn it).

Ok, so did I talk myself out of purchasing one…to be continued

Do you plan to purchase an iPad?  If so, why?  If not, why?