What Photography Taught Me About Leading Lending Teams

I’ve spent 30+ years in banking and home lending, leading lending teams across the ACT, Illawarra and Riverina, and for much of that time there’s been a camera in my bag on weekends. The two have more in common than I expected. A good photo and a good team both depend on deciding what to leave out of the frame, and on noticing the moment before it passes.

Some of those weekend photos are on my photography site: www.naemickpics.com

Three Things a Camera Teaches About Leading a Lending Team

1. Framing the Vision

Just as a photographer carefully composes a shot to convey a specific message, a leader must articulate and frame the vision for their team. Each element, whether in a photograph or a strategic plan, contributes to the overall narrative.

2. Focus and Clarity

A sharp focus is essential in photography. The same holds true in leadership. On a lending team, that means each lender knowing the two or three numbers that matter this month — applications, conversion, settlements — rather than a dashboard of twenty.

3. Adapting Perspectives

Great photographers experiment with different angles to tell a more compelling story. Effective leaders do the same. On a lending team, the newest lender and the most experienced one often see the same file differently, and a file review is usually better for hearing both.

Leadership Through the Lens: A Personal Reflection

Looking back on my banking career, the leadership that mattered most was rarely the big decision. It was the ordinary work of making sure each lender had clear expectations and real support, especially when the market turned and the product got harder to sell.

Every Leader Has a Story Worth Telling

Now, I extend an invitation to you. Reflect on your own leadership journey. What moments have defined your path? How can the principles of visual storytelling elevate your leadership style?

If something outside work has taught you how to lead, I’d like to hear it in the comments.

What this means for any manager: decide what belongs in the frame for your team this month, and leave the rest out.

Written by Michael Wignall, who’s spent 30+ years in banking and home lending across the ACT, Illawarra, and Riverina regions of NSW.

More on this topic is collected in the Leadership & Productivity Hub.

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Written by Michael Wignall, Lending Area Manager with 30+ years in banking and home lending across the ACT, Illawarra, and Riverina. Got a question or an idea for a post? Get in touch.