At the inaugural ACE keynote panel, "The Feminine Mystique and Insurance," which took place on June 16th, four industry leaders took the stage to share their formulas for success and longevity in the P&C insurance industry. Claims Magazine Editor in Chief and ACE Chairperson Christina Bramlet moderated the dialogue, which covered topics such as career advancement, personal assessment, and communication skills. Below are some highlights from the discussion.

Bramlet: Do you have any advice for those in the early stages of their career?

Elise Farnham, president of Illumine Consulting: Making connections is something that you start with early in your career. All of those relationships, connections and everything you’ve learned are cumulative. Renew old friendships and be sure to reconnect with people on a regular basis. LinkedIn is a vital tool for anyone in business and much easier to use than a blog or personal site. Also, I can say that some of my best work has come from people who I’ve helped get a job someplace else.

Donna J. Popow, senior director of knowledge at The Institutes: Just ask for help. We don’t like to ask somebody to help us do something. That is not gender-based; that is across the board. You may not even know the person, but nine times out of 10, they will probably jump at the opportunity.

Bramlet: What advice do you have for others to help them succeed in their respective careers?

Jane Tutoki, global head of claims management services at Xchanging: When I’m in a job, I have someone that’s more than a mentor, someone who is there supporting me. When you’re broadening your experience, it’s all a plus, even if that means taking a step back. Be sure to have development plans as well. Make sure they talk about what may be limiting you from getting to your next job. It’s going to be behaviors, not skills, that will help you advance. Also, know which job you want next so you can receive assistance in moving up. You sort of have to know the next job you might want to give you some focus.

Georgia Taylor, owner and fine art claim adjuster/general adjuster at Shooting Star Insurance Claims: It really is knowing policy and having the education to back the decisions you make. Encourage people to step back, look at their goals and receive the education to reach their goals. I’m constantly looking at my goals and reevaluating them. I’m a good art adjuster, but it’s because I’ve taken all the steps to learn about insurance.

Bramlet: How have you gone about achieving your goal to get to where you are today?

Popow: There is still a very male-dominated corporate culture. Claims is not the feeder for executive positions, and I don’t know why, but historically it hasn’t been. I would say continuing education has helped immensely. We joke about this, but insurance people just don’t like taking risks. But you must be willing to take a risk when it comes up.

Farnham: Sometimes just being there, being the one left standing, makes a big difference. With seven or eight years of experience, I was asked to open another office for my company in an area no one really wanted to go. I found out later that they had previously asked six men who all said no. There’s nothing better for an executive to hear you say than “yes.” That regional manager who promoted me ended up doing so two more times.

Tutoki: Early in my career, I went to an actuary to learn about how money flows through an insurance company, and that has paid off in spades. We’re all afraid of certain things. Sometimes, it’s just overcoming fears.

Taylor: I always learned exactly what needed to be done. Understanding the dynamics of the insured is crucial. You need to develop these skills of communicating and be able to resolve issues efficiently. We need to have very broad shoulders as claims adjusters.

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