Mortgage leaders need clarity, not certainty, says Xactus CMO

Stair suggested that leaders should not strive for 100% certainty, as the world is inherently uncertain. Instead, she advocates for seeking clarity by distinguishing between reliable information and commentary, predictions, or assumptions. She cited former Secretary of State Colin Powell's 40/70 rule, proposing that having 40% of the information is sufficient to make a decision, and reaching 70% can lead to overload. Beyond a certain point, Stair believes that human experience, judgment, and instinct become vital complements to data.

She stressed the importance of fact-checking and understanding the origin of data to ensure decisions are based on sound information. Stair also highlighted the role of human discernment in evaluating the outputs of increasingly sophisticated technology in mortgage operations. She described "mortgage decision intelligence" as a balance where technology handles orchestration, allowing humans to focus on judgment calls requiring context and nuance.

For future preparedness, Stair advised mortgage leaders to engage in scenario planning, preparing for worst-case outcomes to be best positioned for success. Her core message is to leverage human judgment and available data, acknowledge uncertainty, and act decisively once a sufficient information threshold is met.