Imagine a child seeing the ocean for the first time. He laughs, throws water in the air, dances with the waves. His father watches him, eyes full of joy. You watch them too, and something in you softens. That, right there, is the magic of wonder.That moment where life isn’t measured, controlled, optimized.It just… happens.And it feels right. We must never lose our sense of wonder. It keeps us human. It reminds us that we’re alive, not just performing. That beauty still exists, even when no one is watching.We could stop the article here, add a quote from a philosopher, and call it a day. But let’s be honest. Here’s what happens next in real life:You close your laptop, deeply inspired.You walk to the window to breathe, to contemplate.And then you get a Slack notification:“Did you send the report?” And another:“Let’s jump on a quick call?” And suddenly, you remember:Your KPIs are down. Your leads are cold. The other guy just hit his target, posted about it, and got promoted. So yes, wonder is nice. But your manager won’t care that you felt deeply connected with the present moment. Without results, you’re out. Let’s not sugarcoat it: Relaxationis beautiful—until it becomes your excuse for not delivering. Mindfulnesssounds amazing—until you realize you’ve mindfully fallen behind. And taking a pausemight feel sacred—until someone else closes the deal while you’re staring at clouds. So what’s the solution? Still go to the window.Yes, really. Go. Breathe. Contemplate.But don’t jump.Don’t spiral.Don’t turn one bad month into a life philosophy of defeat. Just take a deep breath. Reset.Because better moments will come. And then? Now, no more brake — go to work.

“To perform well, you first need to feel well. And to feel well, you first need to think well.” This idea, shared by Argentine neuroscientist and leadership expert Estanislao Bachrach, captures one of the most powerful lessons modern neuroscience offers to anyone in a high-performance role. Your thoughts create emotions. Your emotions shape your behavior. And your behavior determines your results. This chain of cause and effect plays out every day—whether you’re closing a deal, leading a team meeting, managing stress after a rejection, or navigating the ups and downs of a fast-moving market. Those who learn to manage this sequence gain a real edge—not only over competitors, but over their own limits. The Tennis Player Who Lost Before the Point Picture a tennis player stepping up to serve after a double fault. His thoughts spiral: “I can’t afford to mess this up again.” “This always happens in pressure moments.” “Something’s off today.” These thoughts create anxiety and frustration. His muscles tighten. His breathing changes. His attention narrows. And the next serve is another error—not because he lacks talent, but because his thinking triggered an emotional and physical chain reaction. Elite athletes train their minds as rigorously as they train their bodies. They know that performance begins with mental preparation. They think objectively. They remind themselves of the truth: “I’ve practiced this serve a thousand times. There’s no reason it should go wrong now.” That simple shift in thinking changes everything. When you change your thought, your emotion follows. When your emotion changes, your body relaxes. When your body is calm, your behavior improves. And when your behavior improves, your results change. This is not magic—it’s neuroscience. Your brain responds to what you believe. Fear tightens your muscles. Doubt shortens your breath. But clarity and truth create space: space to move, to breathe, to perform. Whether you’re stepping into a big meeting or leading a difficult negotiation, remember this chain: Thought → Emotion → Body → Behavior → Result Start with the right thought—and let the rest follow. Sales Is No Different A loan officer prepares to call a key prospect and thinks: “They probably won’t be interested.” “I’m behind on my numbers.” “What if I can’t handle their objections?” Anxiety builds. Confidence fades. The voice tightens. Listening drops. Even if the product is solid, the performance suffers. Now imagine a different thought sequence: “I’m here to understand their needs.” “Every call helps me improve.” “I’ve helped others—I can help them too.” That shift in thinking produces calm and clarity, leading to a more connected, confident interaction. The message lands better. The outcome improves—even if the close doesn’t happen on the spot. The Leadership Takeaway Leaders aren’t just decision-makers—they’re emotional thermostats for their teams. Your mindset sets the tone. Your emotional state spreads. The way you manage yourself influences how others show up. That’s why training your mind is no longer optional. It’s part of leading. How to Train Your Thinking Notice your thoughts before important moments. Ask: “What am I thinking right now? Is this helping or hurting me?” Use better mental scripts. Prepare three short thoughts you can rely on to reset and refocus: “I bring value.” “I focus on what I can control.” “I’m here to connect, not convince.” Protect your energy. Mental sharpness depends on physical readiness. Sleep, nutrition, and movement matter. Build reset rituals. Before calls or meetings, take three deep breaths.Walk away for two minutes. Visualize a win. Final Reflection High performance does not start with motivation. It starts with thought management. If you want to show up at your best—and help others do the same—remember the chain: Think well. Feel well. Perform well. That’s where leadership begins. Uriel Fleicher Editor in Chief and Co-Founder of The Elite Officer Uriel Fleicher is a lawyer from Argentina with a strong academic background, holding a Master in Business Law and currently pursuing an MBA. Throughout his extensive career, he has provided legal counsel to Private Lending Firms in Argentina, which allowed him to establish valuable connections with key industry leaders in the United States. This experience enabled him, along with his partners, to identify a unique opportunity: the creation of The Elite Officer. This column is part of Neuroscience in Action: A Tribute to the Teachings of Estanislao Bachrach, a series exploring how neuroscience can be applied to everyday performance in the lending industry. This section is independently produced by the editorial team of The Elite Officer. It is inspired by the public lectures and published works of neuroscientist Estanislao Bachrach, but it is not affiliated with or endorsed by him. Estanislao Bachrach Holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Montpellier and a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires, with additional leadership and innovation training at Harvard University. He has taught at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, speaks internationally, and is known for blending neuroscience, creativity, emotions, and leadership. He’s the author of several impactful books: ÁgilMente (translated into English as The Agile Mind: How Your Brain Makes Creativity Happen – 2017) ; EnCambio (2015); Cuentos y Juegos para Ágiles Mentes (2016); Random (2017); Zensorial (Spanish title: Zensorialmente: Dejá que tu cuerpo sea tu cerebro, 2023); ÁgilMente 2 (2023); and ¡Soltá! (2024). His work centers on applying brain science to enhance well‑being, emotional intelligence, decision‐making, and the link between mind and body through sensory awareness.

During the recent IMN Conference, I stopped by the Revolution Insurance booth and had the opportunity to talk with Matt Pozzi, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, and Ben Volling, President and CEO. From the first moments of our conversation, it was obvious how much both value personal connection and transparency — qualities that are also reflected in how they run the business. As we spoke, Matt and Ben shared the story behind Revolution Insurance and the principles that guide their day-to-day work. Revolution Insurance positions itself as a boutique agency specializing in policies for investment properties — from single-family rentals and multi-unit portfolios to fix-and-flip projects and commercial insurance solutions. Based in Crystal Lake, Illinois, the agency stands out for a simple yet rare promise in this industry: absolute honesty. Ben explained that if they find a better deal elsewhere for their client, they do not hesitate to point it out. This commitment to transparency has earned them a reputation for trustworthiness among both new and seasoned real estate investors. Matt, who has built a solid career of over two decades in high-performance sales and operations, emphasized how crucial it is to develop scalable processes that keep their service personal but efficient. From our conversation, it became clear that his operational mindset is a key pillar for Revolution’s sustainable growth. Ben, for his part, brings strong leadership experience, having previously served as SVP of Operations at Constructive Insurance and even taking on the role of Interim CEO for the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. This background reflects his deep connection to the community and his commitment to leading by example. I asked how long Revolution Insurance has been operating. While they did not pinpoint an exact founding date during our chat, both highlighted that the agency has grown steadily by word of mouth, building trust client by client. Today, they work with investors across the United States, adapting solutions for clients ranging from first-time landlords to those managing large property portfolios. As the conversation turned to The Elite Officer, Matt and Ben expressed genuine interest in collaborating to help educate and support loan officers and investors alike. Their focus is not merely on selling insurance policies but on fostering long-term relationships based on clarity and mutual growth. Meeting Matt and Ben was a reminder that, in an industry full of transactional interactions, people still make the biggest difference. Revolution Insurance is proof that honest advice and human connection remain powerful differentiators in the investment insurance space. Ben Volling President and CEO of Revolution Insurance With a proven background in insurance operations and local business leadership, including his role as Interim CEO of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, Ben is dedicated to guiding the agency’s strategic vision and community engagement. His approach combines industry expertise with a genuine commitment to helping property investors protect their assets through clear communication and dependable coverage. Matt Pozzi Chief Operating Officer of Revolution Insurance Bringing over 20 years of experience in sales leadership and operational strategy within competitive markets. Based in the greater Chicago area, Matt focuses on building scalable processes and high-performing teams that deliver tailored insurance solutions for real estate investors. His commitment to efficiency and personalized service has been a driving force behind the agency’s steady growth and strong client relationships.

What began as a casual chat at a conference booth turned into a lesson in efficiency, technology, and perfect market competition applied to real estate insurance. At an event where nearly every booth seems to promise the same thing — better rates, faster closings, more tech — it’s rare to stumble upon something truly different. But that’s exactly what happened at the IMN conference in Miami, during a conversation with Scott Phillips, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Digital Integrations at SES Risk Solutions. What I thought was just another insurance provider turned out to be something else entirely. “So, you sell insurance?” I asked, almost out of courtesy. Scott smiled, the kind of smile you give when you’ve heard that question a hundred times before. “We sell efficiency. Insurance is just the vehicle.” That was my first clue that this wasn’t going to be a standard pitch. A Policy Built for Private Lending As we spoke, Scott explained that SES doesn’t offer a generic, one-size-fits-all policy. Instead, their product is purpose-built for the real estate investment space, specifically for the dynamics of private lending. “There’s no point in applying traditional insurance logic to fix-and-flips, rehab properties, or scaled investors,” he said. “Our policy is engineered for that profile, for that risk model.” Unified Policy, Smart Market Competition SES issues a unified master policy that’s visible to the lender or investor. Behind the scenes, multiple insurance carriers compete to provide the actual coverage. This approach ensures that investors receive the best pricing and terms, without the hassle of manual quote comparisons.Scott summed it up clearly: “Instead of handing a borrower ten generic policies that don’t really fit, we deliver the one that does, tailored for private real estate investors. Pricing is optimized automatically, based on what each carrier can offer at that moment. So you get the right coverage, at the best price, without all the back-and-forth.” The system is designed to simplify life for both investors and originators: no messy forms, no endless email threads. Just one streamlined workflow. Technology That Fits Your Workflow What impressed me most was how SES doesn’t just offer a good product, they embed it directly into the daily systems Loan Officers use. Their platform integrates with origination systems, CRMs, and internal dashboards, allowing users to quote, issue, and manage policies in real-time, all within their existing workflow. “A Loan Officer shouldn’t have to become an insurance expert. They should be able to issue coverage with a click and move on.” The platform uses smart data to analyze the property, investor profile, and loan characteristics, then assigns the most appropriate coverage from the optimal provider. Faster Closings, Less Friction In practical terms, this translates to: Loan Officers who close more deals, faster. Investors who get better terms, with less effort. Builders and funds who scale without insurance delays. “When insurance stops being a bottleneck, it becomes a strategic advantage. That’s what we bring to the table.” What started as a hallway conversation turned into one of the most insightful moments of the event. SES isn’t in the business of traditional insurance. They’re in the business of making private lending operate more smoothly. And in a world where every day of delay costs money, that makes all the difference. Scott Phillips Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Digital Integrations SES Risk Solutions Scott leads SES’s Alternative Channel Business Unit with a strong focus on building digital distribution partnerships that use SES technology to deliver innovative risk solutions for real estate investors. He brings deep experience from both the Financial Services and Insurance sectors, developing tech-based solutions for mortgage servicers, brokers, and investors. Scott holds a BA from Chapman University and an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business.