In all aspects of life, opportunities can present themselves in some of the least likely places. Taking full advantage of unexpected moments and pushing past feelings of discomfort are key to unlocking our full potential.
Find Your Footing
Welcoming change and chasing opportunities for growth is something Jerell Henderson, a Senior Team Leader in Underwriting at UWM, knows all about. During his previous role at a retail lender, Jerell was able to take on some leadership responsibilities, but there wasn’t a clear trajectory on how to grow or challenge himself. Feeling unfulfilled, he began looking for a position that offered both a transparent career path and supported him along his journey.
“That’s really something that stood out to me about UWM,” he said. “Every person I talked to really emphasized the potential for personal development. They also told me how they were committed to my success and wanted to help me reach my goals. That really resonated with me and was my first glimpse into how unique this place is.”
Soon after joining the team, Jerell began to make his mark and maximize the opportunities for growth available at UWM. In a few short months, he went from underwriter associate to senior underwriter. His great work ethic and willingness to tackle challenges head-on gained the attention of underwriting leadership, who recognized his capacity to take on a greater role.
When Opportunity Calls
When initially asked to become an underwriting leader, Jerell was understandably hesitant. “I was a little bit shocked when my team lead first brought up the idea because it’s not really something I ever envisioned for myself,” he explained. “It’s a big responsibility to lead a team and I wasn’t really confident I was the right person for the job. I’ve had some experience coaching, but managing others was something new to me. I voiced my concerns, but they kept telling me ‘Jerell, you can do this.’ I think the belief others had in me really helped spark the belief in myself.”
The continued encouragement eventually led Jerell to take the new position, and he was soon guiding a group of underwriters through their responsibilities — tasks like risk evaluation, assessing property values, ensuring legal and regulatory requirements, and ultimately approving or denying loans.
The more he got involved, the more he realized that being a leader suited him. “What I love most about leading a team is paying it forward by helping others grow. If there’s a particular goal or achievement a member of our team is looking to accomplish, I want to hear about it because I want to do whatever I can to help them get there.”
We Win When You Win
Jerell’s story of personal growth is common at UWM. Many of our team members start in entry-level roles with no experience in Lending or management. Our Leadership Development team sets them up for career growth with training and resources that help them build the skills needed to evolve into impactful leaders, such as programs like Emerge, an 8-week leadership training course that teaches the fundamentals of being an effective leader. Or our annual series of training seminars, where team members choose paths of interest on where they want to grow, from niche elements of the loan process to tips on time management. Team members are also empowered to push themselves to new heights by moving up in the company and taking roles in leadership or branching out into teams that align more closely with their long-term career goals.
Jerell embraced his opportunities for growth at UWM by staying adaptable. “Change is constant, especially in our industry,” he said. “While change can be uncomfortable, embracing it has allowed me to develop new skills, build my confidence and ultimately grow into a more effective team member and leader. If you want to grow it’s important to ask ‘What opportunities are open to you?’ so you can take full advantage of everything that come your way.”
Jerell also learned that building and maintaining genuine relationships was crucial for his growth as a leader. “Open communication is essential for my ability to make informed and effective decisions. It is also a big help when it comes to problem-solving, discovering innovative solutions to obstacles that may have otherwise gone overlooked.”
No matter where you are in life, venturing into the unknown is the first step into an exciting adventure. If you’re interested in learning more and reaching your full potential at UWM, join our team!