Think and Grow Rich rubs appraisers the wrong way. The book’s focus on ambition clashes with a professional culture built on caution and risk avoidance. While the industry rewards staying under the radar, the book advocates for intentional growth.
This friction makes the message feel “salesy,” when it actually highlights the gap between working defensively and building a valuation industry with purpose.
Here’s what that looks like.
1. Thoughts Turn Into Habits
If fee appraisers see bank work as a “necessary evil,” that frustration shows up in emails, tone and defensiveness.
If Chief Appraisers see fee appraisers as “out of touch,” they manage with suspicion.
When both sides expect friction, they get it.
2. Clear Purpose Beats Hard Work
Napoleon Hill talks about having a clear purpose.
In valuation, the goal isn’t “get paid” or “clear the review.”
The goal is to reduce risk, build trust and deliver a defensible opinion.
When the purpose is clear, behavior gets better.
3. Mastery Needs Community
Fee appraisers don’t need more redlines. They need real feedback.
Chief Appraisers don’t need inconsistent reports. They need better signals.
Community is how professionals get better.
4. Belief Shapes Leadership
When appraisers don’t believe their role matters, they play small.
When Chief Appraisers don’t believe community is possible, they manage by control.
Both lead to lower standards and a race to the bottom.
The New Standard
Same people. Same rules. More ownership.
When we stop pointing fingers, we build trust, credibility and a profession that earns respect.
The hard question:
Does Think and Grow Rich make you uncomfortable because it asks whether this industry is ready to replace isolation with community and shared ownership?