I’ve recently picked up the classic novel The Foutainhead by Ayn Rand (1943). Reading it this afternoon I came across an unusually insightful quote by one of the lesser characters in the book; Kent Lansing.
“When facing society, the person most concerned, the person who is to do the most and contribute the most, has the least to say. It’s taken for granted that they have no voice and reasons they could offer are rejected in advance as prejudiced – since no speech is ever considered , but only the speaker. It’s so much easier to pass judgment on a person than on an idea. “
The context of the quote was to express how Lansing was going to sell his conservative board of directors on selecting the protagonist of the novel Howard Roark as the architect for their mega Manhattan hotel. Roark is a very risque, non traditional architect who is a rebel and individualist.
The quote got me thinking on how business decisions are made and specifically decisions to select a mortgage broker over the bank. Could it be that not everyone uses a mortgage broker over their bank because its easier to pass judgment on the individual rather than the idea of the bank as an institution? A good mortgage broker is better educated, has only your interest to serve, is highly specialized in his or her area, can offer better guidance, and the service doesn’t cost a borrower anything and yet approximately only 35% of mortgages in Canada are serviced by brokers.
Highly philosophical question for a mortgage blog! Especially for a Saturday… but feel free to add your 2 cents! If not at the very least add the Fountainhead to your to read list.
