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A Woman’s Place is Not in the Kitchen Any Longer

Guest Author

If you have attended an insurance networking event, you will probably see only a handful of women on the roster and at the networking bar. Women not only enjoy lower auto insurance rates, we also make up 83% of the insurance processing and claims jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics in 2011. Today’s working woman makes up the vast majority of positions in the insurance industry. However, that being said, women are often few-and-far-between at industry events, boardroom tables and executive positions.

As the insurance industry continues to evolve, we are seeing more daughters taking over family agencies and carriers promoting more women to the C-level suites. However, is the industry really doing enough to empower and mentor these women? When women make up such a large percentage of the insurance workforce, why is it that they hold only six percent (6%) of executive roles at the largest insurers and reinsurers?1

So, how can we all help empower our daughters, sisters and other female associates to climb the corporate ladder within the industry? A problem easily solved with everyone’s help. Here are a few keys to success for women looking to take the next step in their insurance careers:

  • Find a Mentor: Everyone needs a mentor and a mentee. For women looking to take the next leap in their careers, they need to proactively seek out a mentor. Women tend to stick together and when you find a mentor who is actively investing in you, new opportunities will present themselves.
  • Attend Networking Events: Get active in the industry. Volunteer on boards and association events. This may require an investment of your personal time, however the more networking you can do, the more opportunities become available to you. This also allows young women to step out of their comfort zone which helps develop critical leadership skills.
  • Think Like An Owner: Whether you are working for a small local agency or at a large carrier you need to think like an owner to get ahead. Little things matter such as being on time, keeping a positive attitude and going the extra mile. All these will get you noticed. Avoid the trap of negative co-workers; always think, “What would I want as an owner?”
  • Look For More Responsibility: Where possible, step up to the plate for extra projects and leadership roles. This will help you not only develop critical skills but also show your work ethic to leaders within your company. If leadership roles don’t exist where you currently are, keep an eye out for opportunities outside of your current organization.
  • Love Insurance: Loving the business that you are in shows. When you love insurance you will find new opportunities around you.

One challenge for women across America, both in and out of the insurance space, is work-life balance. We all want to be awesome moms; great wives with a sparkling house; and dinner on the table. Work-life balance doesn’t exist in 2015. We all have smart phones, laptops and remote connections. Today’s modern woman has to learn how to spend quality time with the family when it counts and outsource some basic household duties. It may not be politically correct to say, however I see too many women spread way too thin and they always feel guilty because they are missing the church bake sale or a kid’s soccer practice. Most children would take mom fully focused on the soccer game (iPhone in the car) rather than sort of watching a practice. As working women, it’s important to spend quality time with the family which may be a few times per week rather than each and every day. Each family needs to do what is best for them.

Many young women starting out as processors, producers or CSRs may not see a clear path to success. Women, who have created careers within insurance, need to do a better job finding top female talent, proactively mentor and empower them and invest in their future. We can expose them to new challenges, share with them our stories and coach them to success. This may include having difficult conversations on professionalism, discussing areas for improvement and mentoring them on life choices. When we see something special in a young woman coming into the industry, we all should work hard to develop their strengths, as they too are our future.