In the blog I wrote that was published March 16, I introduced the concept of being an Influential Underwriter – someone who is intentional about the example they set and desires to leave a lasting impact that bridges their personal and professional lives.
For some, influence comes naturally, such as those born to sell or analyze spreadsheets for actuarial science. For those who need guidance, this second blog in my series will shine a light on some resources to consider as you elevate your influence.
Mentor
A mentor is the first true influence on you. Sometimes the most powerful lessons are the ones you learn through pain, trial, and error, but a good mentor who is willing to share their expertise and wisdom can fast track you and help you avoid painful or awkward experiences. This is something I discuss in my book, Hindsight 2020.
Mentor/mentee relationships should be confidential. Sometimes, lessons involve others who may not want their names shared. Mentors should be able to teach without using names if the situation could be embarrassing, and mentees should be conscientious to keep details of lessons confidential. Share the lesson, not the person.
The end result of a good mentor/mentee relationship is a mentee who gains enough expertise to become a mentor themselves. Mentors could be a manager, a teammate, a coworker in another department, or another member of an association you belong to (such as IAIP).
Designations and Continuing Education
Newer insurance professionals should investigate the many designation options. License holders have statutory continuing education requirements, but even the non-licensed need regular continuing education. Pursuing a designation with an insurance focus will often contribute to statutory CE requirements (be sure to check your state requirements for any course you take). The point of getting those letters after your name is to demonstrate to your peers and your customers that you care about staying up to date with changes and learning new ways to help your customers, both of which support your influence.
I hold ten industry designations across different focuses.
- CPCU, CIC, CRM, CIIP – Property & Casualty insurance expertise; CRIS – specific to construction insurance
- CISR and ACSR – insurance service
- CLP-A, AIM, DAE – Leadership, Management, and Training
Each year, I complete at least a dozen hours of continuing education to maintain these designations. No matter how long you have been in the industry, there is always something new to learn. The more you learn, the more you can influence others. Check out IAIP, The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, or The Institutes to start.
Read, Listen, Learn
Reading industry publications might seem unnecessary or something for which you are too busy, but by at least skimming the table of contents, you may find articles of interest that will help you improve your market and industry knowledge. The more you know what is going on in the industry, the better a resource you can be to your agents, customers, and teammates.
If podcasts are more your style or you have a lot of windshield time, there are dozens to choose from. There are podcasts focused on the insurance industry, property and casualty, life and health, Insurtech, sales, reinsurance, leaders in insurance, claims, risk management, and more.
Venturing outside the industry, you can find books, publications, podcasts and Ted Talks on leadership, sales, human resource management, connecting with teammates, managing up, and anything else you can think of. You can start with Ted.com, YouTube, or your favorite search engine.
Connect
Connecting with others helps you learn. LinkedIn is a natural first option for your professional connections, however, don’t be afraid to use other social media channels. Wherever your customers are, that’s where you should be. Sharing your own thoughts or reposting others gets your name out there in the algorithm. People start seeing you more, and visibility lead to influence.
Stay tuned for the next installment on Strategic Thinking.