Page 19 - Shaw Wall of Honor

line is that you, as a woman or a man, will not be the right person for every client. You need to be okay with that and then plan accordingly if possible. You cannot look at everything as merely a gender issue and I think that if you do, then you are not part of the solution.
For the carriers, I have seen movement where their upper management and Boards are including more women, but most are still heavier on the male side. I don’t know what will switch it, but more carriers are realizing that men and women each have unique perspectives and it is important to have both voices. We do not always see things the same way because women normally process things differently. Most have a maternal side that is more empathetic, which is so important since Insurance is about selling ‘security’ and ‘peace of mind’ and many times a woman is more attune to those things. Our emotions can be our strength or our downfall, though I still wouldn’t change it even if I could.
Women have made great strides in insurance and will continue to do so. More men are recognizing the value of having strong women on their team in leadership roles rather than being relegated to support roles. Both are important, not only for today but to set the example of those to follow. We should be past the time of being judged initially on our gender where there should be no automatic judgments made, but we aren’t quite there yet.
When talking about women in the industry, we need to make sure that we have women from different cultures in those roles as well. We are such a melting pot that we must have different expectations to accommodate and celebrate the different cultures and languages. We cannot understand what we are not educated on nor have lived with, so when there are areas of distinct cultural differences, we need to bring along both men and women to those positions. Some of those cultures are certainly less favorable towards women, so it is up to us to help make those changes.
I have never been one to feel like I am taken less seriously due to gender and I feel that those who do feel that way are sometimes looking for it or have allowed it. I love being a woman in insurance and I use that as a strength. As a mother and wife, I feel I am more relatable to that mom who is harried while trying to work, take care of the home, cook dinner, and still get the kids to soccer or baseball practice. I practice empathy every day with my clients; it is my power, not my weakness. As a woman, when speaking to a man it is sometimes my job to remind them of the peace of mind and security they want for their family. They know this and feel it, but sometimes need to be reminded and hear the words. I tell them the words. I relate. I understand. I am a woman in insurance and I’m not going anywhere!
When talking about women in the industry, we need to make sure that we have women from different cultures in those roles as well.
Being a Woman in Tody's Insurance
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