Why Are You Here?

The Lesson – Why Are You Here?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of facilitating a seminar on achieving peak performance for a group of experienced collectors, all of whom had a minimum of three years of industry experience. To open the session, I posed the question, “Why are you here?” I figured it was a fair question to start with considering we were about to embark on a journey through personal motivation.

As always, the class clown instantly chimed in with the ever so clever remark, “Because my manager sent me.”

I responded with, “I don’t mean why are you at this training session; I mean why are you still in this industry.” Then I proceeded to give my astronaut spiel that goes a little something like this:

Unless you have family in the business, becoming a debt collector didn’t cross your mind when mom asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” No, back then you had dreams of soaring into space, putting out fires, catching bad guys, playing major league ball, and being doctors, teachers, and lawyers. Sitting behind a desk, tied to a headset simply didn’t make the list of dream jobs. I know it certainly didn’t make mine. But, nonetheless, here we are. Be it 30 days or 30 years. This is what we do for a living.

Then I restated my question, “So why are you here?”

Another person spoke up, “I like it.”

“What’s there to like,” I questioned. “All day long, day after day, we call people who don’t want to talk to us and ask them to pay their bills. We are lied to, cussed out, insulted, and harassed. The media paints our industry as if everyone in it is a thug. We generate the most complaints for the Federal Trade Commission. Attorney Generals and consumer advocates have their sights set on us. Why do you want to be part of all of that?”

After I was ranting about the negatives, I divided the attendees into pairs, gave them a piece of flipchart paper and a marker, and challenged each duo to brainstorm as many positives as they could about the industry and their role in it.

The results looked something like this:

• The pay is good.
• Flexible hours.
• I get to help people.
• I like my boss.
• My coworkers rock.
• It’s fun.
• I enjoy talking with customers.
• Jobs are always available.
• Something new every day.
• Help clients stay in business.
• It’s a vital to the economy.
• I’m good at it.
• It’s challenging work.

I then used the results to direct conversation toward discussing why we do what we do.

THE CHALLENGE

The collector’s challenge this week is to answer the question: Why are you here?

To help get you going, take out a sheet of paper and a pen and spend three minutes brainstorming the positives. For now there is no right or wrong answer. Just write. When your time is up, compile a top ten list and circle the number one factor.

For added oomph, complete this exercise during your next team meeting and share results. You might be surprised to find out how different (and alike) we are when it comes to being motivated to smile and dial.

THE REFLECTION

1. Do you feel that working in the industry is a job, a career, or a vocation?
2. What is the number one reason you remain in the industry?
3. Thinking back to when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Is it too late?
4. Do you think that most collectors in the industry spend more time looking at the negative or the positive aspects of the profession?

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge™, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.

About collector mentor
Published bimonthly, collector mentor is a quick-read publication dedicated entirely to delivering articles and practical advice that teaches credit and collection professionals how to increase collection results, enhance productivity, improve teamwork, and become better stewards of the industry.