By Dave Hershman

Question:  I am the manager of a mid-size office with multiple loan officers. I have multiple areas of responsibility as a manager and each could be a full-time job.  I jump from task to task each day but end up in the same spot the next day.  How can I lessen my stress and be more productive?--Kevin from Ohio

For anyone who has too many tasks to undertake and not enough time to accomplish these tasks, there are two choices:

• Prioritize the tasks: A great leader must decide what is important and focus upon these tasks.
  Other tasks should be delegated to others, postponed or eliminated.
• Use synergy: If you want to get more done in less time, you need to find a way to achieve more that one goal with the same activity. The implementation of synergistic principals will not only increase productivity, but it will also help lessen the stress of manager.

There are seven rules of maximum synergy.

[adbutler zone_id="326324"]

[adbutler zone_id="326327"]

These rules will help managers achieve more with less time, energy and money.  Loan officers will also benefit from the use of these principals. Managers who are efficient in using these concepts will be more effective as mentors to their team, as well as recruiters.

1. Everything you do must have a second objective.
2. If you are marketing by yourself—you are wasting synergy.
3. Some targets are more effective than others.
4. Some tools are more effective than others.
5. Everything you do can be made more effective through additional doses of synergy.
6. Do not market without a response mechanism.
7. Do not market unless you are delivering value.

Our industry has a tremendous number of managers.  What we need is more leadership. The use of synergy will help you get there.

About the Author: Dave Hershman is a VP of Sales for Weichert Financial Services and founder of OriginationPro (www.OriginationPro.com), providing marketing content and training programs for the industry. Email him with “Ask the Mortgage Management Expert” questions or comments at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.