Dave Krueger, a mortgage professional, is challenging what he sees as a destructive “hustle culture” within the industry, arguing that the expectation of 24/7 availability leads to professional burnout.
In an interview with Mortgage Professional America, Krueger criticized the tendency for industry professionals to treat constant work as a “badge of honor.” He emphasized that a career should enable a person’s life, not consume it. “You work as a vehicle to be able to do the rest of your life and the things you want to do,” he said.
Krueger noted a practical flaw in the always-on mentality: brokers collaborate with lenders and underwriters who typically maintain standard business hours.
“We’re not bankers,” he explained. “We work with bankers and underwriters who work essentially Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. So do you really, truly need to take that call at 11 p.m. on a Saturday or at 6 p.m. on a Wednesday when you’re sitting down to dinner with your family? The answer is no, almost never.”
To protect his own work-life balance, Krueger established firm boundaries from the beginning of his career, despite facing skepticism from others. A key tool has been his voicemail message, which clearly communicates his availability.
“If this is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., I’m on a different line or with a client, so please leave a message,” the greeting states. “If it is after those hours or on the weekend, that is my designated family time, and I will call you back during the next business day. If this is urgent in nature, please text me.”
