UnLeadership

10Leadership Closes the Gap

Megan McDonald is the senior vice president of Single-Family Sales at MCAP, Canada's largest independent mortgage financing company, with annual sales exceeding $14 billion and over $75 billion in assets under administration. There, she manages the direction of sales for two flagship brands, MCAP and Eclipse. MCAP is also a client; at the time of writing, UnMarketing was leading the Entrepreneurs in Residence program for MCAP mortgage brokers.

(Highlights from our interview, recorded May 22, 2023.)

FROM A LEADERSHIP STANDPOINT, ONE of the greatest gifts I can bring to my team is belief in the company, our direction, and them. I've had opportunities in my career to work with different leaders and have resonated most with those with the greatest belief in the company and its direction. Not the company as in the logo but belief in the people and their choices. These leaders clarified the reasons behind decisions and communicated why I mattered to the direction we were going. When you believe in what you're doing, have passion, and convey that to others by setting the standard and tone, you have a better chance of working collaboratively.

A leadership tool kit might encompass reward and recognition, challenge and skill development, and the word most people like to avoid—criticism. I am here to inspire, create direction, and help improve people's lives. As leaders, we don't have just accountability; we have responsibility. People often want a title ...