Martin Morin On The Importance Of Transparency In Business

Let’s learn a little about you and really get to experience what makes us tick – starting at our beginnings. Where did your story begin?

Martin Morin: My career in the banking industry began 27 years ago, as a part-time teller while I was attending college. What was supposed to be a temporary job, turned into a banking career, which allowed me to experience personal and professional growth at levels I never would have imagined.  Leadership and Coaching is my passion!  I love to share my knowledge with others, while also learning from others.  We never can get enough knowledge!  Knowledge is truly power, and I enjoy sharing that powerful experience with others.  Today, I lead my own firm in the commercial lending brokerage side, which I thoroughly enjoy.  I am able to assist my clients with all of their commercial financing needs, while leveraging many of the relationships I made during my banking career.  It’s truly a perfect fit for my clients, and my firm.

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

Martin Morin: During my banking career, I met many leaders that made an impact in my career.  I feel that all leaders, whether they were the great ones or the not so great ones, could teach things. You want to emulate the great ones, of course, but you also want to learn what not to do from the other leaders.   One leader in particular (Jorge Villacampa, former Regional President @ Wells Fargo) made a big difference in my career.  Jorge gave me my first opportunity to lead as manager/coach.

What made the difference was his belief in my abilities, while also leading me by example.  He always challenged me to get better, even when I was at the top of my game.  He taught me to be transparent with the team, and to always motivate them, especially during tough moments.   He always said your reaction or non-reaction to key moments will set the level of expectation with your team.  Show them compassion, while also holding them and yourself accountable.  He was so right, and I still lead by those principals.

What are the most common mistakes you see entrepreneurs make and what would you suggest they do?

Martin Morin: The one that always comes to mind is growing too fast, and not growing responsibly.  We all naturally want to grow as individuals, however sometimes we can take on more than we can handle , and it can have a profound  impact on the level of service you provide to our clients.  This is counterproductive and can hurt your reputation on the street.  Point in case, my firm The Martin Group.  We currently do very minimal marketing, as we like to work by word of mouth, and deliver a more personable experience.  In due time we will take our marketing to a higher level that can support the growth, while not sacrificing the level of “One to One” experience we provide to our clients.  We feel that this will create a strong brand for us, and allow for that responsible growth to take place.

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Has the pandemic and transitioning into mostly online shopping affected your company positively or negatively?

Martin Morin: The pandemic as we know impacted many businesses in a negative way,  However it also created new innovative ways to do business as well.  Our firm does most if not all of its business online leveraging tools like LinkedIn, and Zoom to name a few.  This new way of doing business remote, has allowed for new businesses to come on the horizon and provide clients more efficient and cost effective solutions.  This in many cases can lead to more options for clients, which can drive the cost down on certain products and services.  I’m a firm believer that unexpected moments, like the pandemic can help our businesses consider alternative methods that were once not even an option.  These options can help the business owner take their business to the next level.

In your opinion, what makes your company stand out from the competition?

Martin Morin: Personalized service on a “One to One” basis.  Brokers overall can have a bad reputation on the level of service and integrity that they bring to the table.  Coming to the corporate banking world, where I worked for some of the largest commercial banks, we learned about the importance of delivering “World Class” service, while holding the strongest integrity levels.  My firm wants to and will deliver on those same core values.  We want to change the perception that many have about brokers one client at a time.  How do we do that?  Simple, we are transparent on everything, and we keep the client informed  at all times.  We also set realistic expectations, regardless of the size of the transaction or the complexity of it.  Bottom line, you will always know what is going on when you are working with our firm!

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?

Martin Morin: 

3. Being a compassionate and ethical leader.  Leading by example, and holding yourself and others to the highest level of integrity.  No transaction or opportunity is ever worth sacrificing that.
4. Transparency.  Always let your clients and employees know where they stand.  No surprises!  They should always know what is coming on the horizon, so that they are prepared and not caught off guard.  Connect with your employees and clients at the professional and emotional level.  Know what makes them GO, and what’s important to them.  Always ask, and do not assume!  Ask them what is important to them, and then come up with a mutual plan to accomplish those goals together.
5. Leading by example… Never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do.  More so if you do not have the answer to a question.  Don’t wing it!  Let the employee or client know that you will get them the answer.  This shows that you do not need to possess all the answers, but you are humble enough to go out and get them the answer. Also keep your promises by referring back to point #2, and that is being transparent!  Do not over promise and under deliver.

How important do you think it is for a leader to be mindful of his own brand?

Martin Morin: Very important…  The brand is a reflection of you and how you deliver on it.  A true brand is not built overnight, and it takes responsible action to build its foundation.   Just like a home, if you do not have a strong foundation, the structure will not hold up, and it could collapse in time.  You build that brand one client and one employee at a time.  Some of the strongest and most reputable brands have weathered many storms, however they always revert back to what made who they are.  That’s the true test of a brand!

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Do you think entrepreneurship is something that you’re born with or something that you can learn along the way?

Martin Morin: I think it’s both.  You must be willing to learn and humble yourself along the way.  Regardless of how many years of experience you may have, you simply do not have all the answers, and that’s OK!  Having the “Can Do” spirit is important, however having a solid business plan is the key to your success.  You can have all the positive energy, however without a plan to get there, it will not just magically happen.  Do your research, ask questions, ask a lot of questions.  Build your plan, and then hold yourself accountable to it.  This is all about your “brand”, and what you plan to accomplish!

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What’s your favorite leadership style and why?

Martin Morin: Situational Leadership to me is one of the most effective ways to lead.  It is not a “one-size fits all” approach. On the contrary it’s meant to be customized to the situation and the individual that you are leading/coaching.  Taking someone’s strengths to leverage an opportunity is one way to effectively model situational leadership.  Also knowing how your employee likes to be led/coached is key.  Again the “one-size fits all approach” does not apply here.  Which is why getting to know your employee at the professional and emotional level is key.  It helps you understand what makes them GO, and how you can leverage that for those opportunities to get better at.

This interview was originally published on ValiantCEO.