Pankaj Vashistha’s Post

How do we empower women in insurance? This was the topic that Bal Mahil, our Head of Distribution Operations, discussed at the Insurance Business UK's Women in Insurance Summit we supported. Bal shared examples of how women can develop their own, authentic leadership style and establish a business legacy, adding 'Insurance is, at the end of the day, a people business, and people like to do business with people they like and trust. This translates to internal colleagues and teams as well as external clients and brokers'. Career success is not limited by age or experience. Developing strengths and leveraging personal stories can lead to a fulfilling and profitable career. #IBWomenInInsurance

I had a chance to reconnect with some former colleagues the other night. They were going to be speaking about AI in Insurance at an event in Boston. Before retiring as President of American Family Insurance Claims Services, I worked with Ryann and Gwen as they led our claims strategy and innovation team. They brought a curiosity and future sense orientation to our thinking that helped to shape our innovation efforts to better serve our customers. I am both grateful for their contribution to our business as well as to my own development as a leader. Curiosity in leadership (and in life) is something that we could use to spend more time nurturing. It is often too easy to maintain the status quo, focus on efficiency and cutting costs, and seek views that limit our thinking to our own biases versus challenging our thinking towards new possibilities. Einstein once noted that it was not that he was "so smart", but rather, he stayed "with problems longer". He asked a lot of questions and sought alternative points of view. Curiosity is important not just in expanding our understanding of the universe, but in building and leading teams to deliver great results as well. From driving innovation to displaying empathy. From seeking individual growth to capturing a team's collective intellect and energy to outperform. It is only by being consciously curious do we move ourselves, our teams, and our businesses forward. As Abraham Maslow said: “You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety.”  Thanks Gwen Olson and Ryann Foelker for helping me to be more consciously curious. Keep spreading the good word.

I've noticed this over the years: in the insurance industry, so much of what we do is focused on analytics - on spreadsheets and systems and cold hard data - that we tend to leave our humanity by the roadside when we come to work. And we don't even realise it! But if you remember to bring your whole self to work (not just the bit that does the numbers), and encourage your people to do so as well, guess what happens? You'll trust each other more. You'll be more confident around each other. You'll have a better understanding of how your colleagues' minds work. That means your teamwork will become more effective. You'll probably be collectively better at problem-solving too - not to mention projects that need some creativity. Make room for your humanity at work. Build stronger relationships. Build a better business. #thoughtforfriday #leadership #insurance #insuranceindustry

The biggest competitive advantage in the insurance industry? Yes, #culture and #leadership. Insurance's core mission is protection, fostering strong #riskawareness. This cautious approach has built a reputable, financially robust, and attractive industry. However, this very risk awareness, supported "by 20th-century management style" has embedded itself into the DNA and culture of insurance companies, leading to #fixedmindsets, #rigidity, and #resistancetochange – hallmarks of control and command leadership. This "autopilot" cycle now poses a critical challenge: 💥without change, there is no future💥 Stagnation has eroded the industry’s charm, power, and appeal in the HR market. 🌟What once created SUCCESS now threatens EXISTENCE. In my current work transforming culture and leadership within insurance companies, I see hope. Change is possible only when it becomes a priority and requires time, commitment, and: ➡Enlightened Leader: who inspire and guide with vision. ➡Top-Down Transformation: cultural change starting from top leadership and inside-out. ➡Investment: time and resources for sustainable transformation. ➡An Experienced "Sherpa": A guide who has the map and has been there already. How do you see it? Let’s drive this change together. #InsuranceTransformation #Leadership #CultureChange #Resilience

Leading an insurance team has taught me more than I ever expected—working with agents has its fair share of challenges, but honestly, every hurdle has been a lesson. Some of these I learned the hard way, but all of them have helped us grow into a stronger team and, in the process, make a real difference for thousands of families. 𝟱 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱: 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱. communication has to be constant. you’re gonna repeat yourself… a lot. but keeping everyone on the same page is worth it. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. the best agents thrive when they feel trusted and supported. Give them the resources they need, then let them do their thing. 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. agents move on for all sorts of reasons. focus on creating an environment where people want to stay and grow. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗻. whether it’s a big sale or a small milestone, recognizing your team’s effort keeps the energy up and morale strong. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵. not every agent will hit it out of the park right away. stick with them, guide them, and let them find their way. These lessons have made our team stronger, and together we’ve helped more than 𝟯,𝟰𝟬𝟬+ 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 protect their futures. Every challenge along the way has been worth it. #agencydirector #agencyowner #sfglife #lessonslearned #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #teamwork #insuranceagency #worklifebalance #careergrowth #houston #leadingtheindustry

#MialtiansLeaders Vaishali Mandaliya Compliance & Legal Mialtus Insurance Broking   This International Women’s Day, we share some quotes from our women leaders. #Mialtus #WomensDay #WomenEmpowerment #InsuranceBrokers #Leadership #InspireInclusion #WomenEmpowerment

"Women belong in the room" – how one insurance leader is tackling impostor syndrome LINK: https://lnkd.in/eRYFRBDg #ConsultingIssues #TheDailyConsultant #Strategy #Innovation #Leadership #Management #Business #Operations #Advisory #Finance #Project #Policy #Process #Technology

Women are a driving force in the insurance sector. According to a report from the Insurance Information Institute, women have made up at least 60% of the insurance workforce since 2012. That means more than half of insurance underwriters, claims associates, and sales agents interacting with clients are women. At the same time, women hold only 22% of C-suite positions in the insurance industry. Our industry thrives on organizational diversity—when people of different backgrounds and perspectives come together to create sustainable, scalable business solutions. And that includes bringing more diverse talent into leadership positions. At Mutual of Enumclaw, we encourage all employees to take part in our career development programs, including mentorship and learning about leadership roles without committing to a career shift. I’m interested to hear what you are doing in your organization to create a diverse and inclusive leadership team. #WomenInLeadership #WomenInInsurance #DEI #CSuite #InsuranceIndustry

Join us today for the Fireside Chat: "Accelerate through Authenticity – Using Who You Are to Drive Your Business and Career." Learn how embracing your unique values, skills, and passions can be a catalyst for professional success. Hear inspiring career journeys from leaders like Amy Carnahan of Gallagher, Margeaux Giles of IRYS Insurtech, and Lauren Kim of Institutions Group NFP, who leaned into their perceived weaknesses and turned them into strengths. Join the discussion on authenticity and self-advocacy in your career. Find out more here: https://hubs.la/Q02x-w2w0 #IBWomenInInsurance #AuthenticLeadership #Insurance #InsuranceCareer

Embrace the challenge to grow and resist the urge to complain. 'Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better.' - Jim Rohn 💪🏿 What are you saying to yourself? Remember, progress lies in personal development. Here's a message I shared with the man in the mirror: Stop complaining and keep working on yourself. #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #Motivation #JimRohnQuotes #leadership #DEI #insurance #guardyourgates