Since 1996, Michelle Castle has been helping lots of people achieve their dream of owning a home and building wealth through investment properties. She’s really good at finding the right loans for different people, whether they’re buying their first home or already experienced investors. Michelle always puts her customers first and works hard to get the best results for each of them.
Michelle doesn’t treat her clients like just another customer. She takes the time to really get to know them and what they care about. This way, she can give them a personalized experience and support them throughout their journey of owning a home.
As a leader, Michelle feels responsible for helping her team members grow and succeed. She wants them to be happy with their work, so if they ever lose their passion, she encourages them to explore other options within the company or even outside of it. She’s open to connecting them with learning opportunities or new career paths.
Michelle’s primary goal is to see her team members living joyful lives. She genuinely wants to help them achieve their dreams, even if it means leaving her team. She believes in the importance of leading a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Strategic Reflection and Visionary Leadership
On Sunday evenings, Michelle dedicates time to reviewing her week ahead, ensuring that she sets herself up for success and smooth sailing. This is when she carefully examines her calendar, making sure she has allocated enough time to connect with both herself and others, allowing her to shape her week according to her desired experiences. During this reflection, Michelle engages in visual work as well. She visualizes each appointment on her calendar and envisions how she wants those interactions to unfold.
Additionally, Michelle takes the opportunity to assess the performance of her branch by comparing the numbers to the set goals. This analysis helps her gauge the progress and identify any areas that need attention. To stay updated on the industry and seize opportunities for her own success and the success of others, Michelle makes it a point to read relevant news articles and educational pieces. As an acclaimed Continuing Education educator, she takes pride in staying current and informed.
In addition to her educational role, Michelle also facilitates two mastermind groups: “Passion to Profit” and “What The Best Do Best.” These groups provide a platform for individuals to collaborate, learn from each other, and strive for excellence. Michelle’s expertise extends beyond her immediate circle, as she also serves as an instructor on the national platform called OnTrack Agent.
Michelle’s passion for sharing knowledge and empowering others is further expressed through her podcast, “The Can Be.” However, she has plans to expand her reach by launching two new podcasts. Furthermore, Michelle is in the process of writing a book, which will serve as another avenue for her to inspire and guide people towards living fulfilling lives.
Fostering Team Unity
Michelle is diligent about having individual conversations with each team member on a weekly basis. She holds brief department meetings to ensure alignment. Once a month, the entire branch gathers for a special “family” lunch meeting, fostering a sense of unity. Quarterly “fun” days are scheduled, allowing the team to engage in enjoyable activities like kayaking, with laughter as the ultimate goal.
Approach to Adversity
Michelle perceives the current market conditions as challenging. During the pandemic, the transition to remote work went smoothly for her team, as they were fully occupied with serving clients and had little time to ponder other matters. Presently, the workload remains demanding, but the scarcity of inventory adds an additional layer of complexity. Assisting clients requires significant effort, occasionally resulting in exhaustion. However, the compensation reflects the team’s hard work.
Teaching her team members how to manage their finances during these volatile market swings poses a challenge for Michelle as a leader. She believes it is essential to offer guidance when they seek advice on personal financial matters. Fortunately, her teams trust her and are comfortable seeking her assistance, enabling her to provide support and assist them in making necessary adjustments.
Reflecting on past trials, Michelle recalls facing a life-threatening disease in the early 2000s. Just as her business had recovered from a financial downturn, she confronted this health crisis. It was a difficult process to adapt her work schedule and reduce her responsibilities in order to prioritize her well-being. Nonetheless, through her unwavering commitment to life and refusing to let the diagnosis dictate her future, Michelle managed to maintain her mortgage business. After achieving remission, she refocused on growing her business once again, overcoming significant challenges along the way.
Embracing Growth, Authenticity, and Effective Communication
Michelle values three key attributes when it comes to her team members:
Coachability: Michelle believes that every day presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether it’s finding new ways to serve clients, improving communication skills, or gaining self-awareness, she surrounds herself with individuals who recognize that there is always something to learn in any given situation.
Authenticity: Transparency is highly valued by Michelle. She emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and encourages her team members to embrace their individuality. It doesn’t matter what their thoughts or beliefs may be; what matters most is that they remain genuine and never pretend to be someone they’re not.
Clear Communication: Michelle understands that effective communication is the key to achieving success. By fostering an environment of open and honest dialogue, she believes that anything can be accomplished. Clear and concise communication enables her team to collaborate effectively, address challenges, and work towards common goals.
By prioritizing coachability, authenticity, and clear communication, Michelle builds a team that is open to growth, encourages individuality, and excels in collaboration. These qualities contribute to a positive and productive work environment.
Balancing Efficiency and Personal Connection
Michelle believes that integrating AI can bring efficiency to the business while maintaining the personal connection clients desire. She values the human touch and the expertise of her team members, understanding that AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, their abilities. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of helping individuals and families improve their financial situations to achieve long-term stability and fulfill their homeownership aspirations.
Empowering Women in Business
Michelle is passionate about empowering women in the business world. As the head coach of the coaching program, Elevate, she dedicates her efforts to helping her students and fellow coaches build authentic businesses that ignite their passion and drive. She aims to inspire them to show up confidently and enthusiastically each day.
One of Michelle’s proudest accomplishments is organizing three-day retreats held across the country. These retreats provide a much-needed opportunity for participants to unplug from their hectic lives and reconnect with their souls. The primary focus of these retreats is to help women in the real estate and mortgage industries discover their purpose and passion. Michelle recognizes that these industries can be challenging and demanding, often leaving little time for self-care and personal growth. The retreats offer a space for participants to pause, reflect, and prioritize their own well-being and fulfillment.
If desired, Michelle is eager to share more details about these transformative retreats, emphasizing their significance in nurturing and empowering women in the real estate and mortgage industries.
Please Visit: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/tx/sherman/michelle-castle-232-whmc.html
