Page 22 - October2017

The

Four Pillars

of

Insurance Leadership

Build a strong foundation

for your success

by Brent Kelly

The term leadership is used every day in business, sports, I. Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership
and in our personal lives. It’s often discussed, but rarely
understood. There is no part of your organization that leadership does
not impact. When I first heard the phrase, “Everything
Like many industries, the insurance industry has been Rises and Falls on Leadership,” from my mentor John C.
influenced by both positive and negative leadership over Maxwell, I thought it was cute and catchy, but I didn’t fully
the years. Today, with the rapid pace of new information, grasp the full importance of this quote until I really started
changing technology, and growing Millennial workforce, to examine my own leadership experiences and began
strong leadership is needed now more than ever before. working with numerous insurance organizations across the
country.
What is true leadership?
Your ability to lead determines your effectiveness. Period.
For much of my life, I thought leadership was about power,
experience, or titles. What I have come to realize is that I often work with insurance agency or company leaders
true leadership isn’t really about any of those things. who feel stuck. They are looking for the next new idea or
process to implement. Although, they may be searching for
After 17 years insurance industry experience both from a new idea or process, what they most desperately need is
the inside and outside, I have seen countless examples improved leadership ability.
of both strong and weak leadership characteristics from
agency leaders, company personnel, producers, and Leadership is the lid to your potential. The higher your
administration. leadership effectiveness, the higher the lid is on your
potential. Remember, everything rises and falls on
I want to discuss what I have discovered to be the 4 leadership.
foundational pillars of authentic and effective insurance
leadership. I believe that by understanding and So why do so many organizations fail to develop leadership
implementing these leadership principles into your life and ability? Why is the insurance industry lacking in the
business, you will become a stronger leader, gain influence number of positive leaders? There are countless reasons,
with those around you, and grow your business. but the bottom line is that great leadership takes daily hard
work and as I will discuss in pillar three, it doesn’t happen
overnight.

22 insight october 2017