Description: Your training as an actuary is not finished just because you have earned a credential. The exam process was (and is) just the beginning of your career. Look for opportunities to learn and improve as you continue your actuarial career. Practice and hone your communication skills so what you know can be used by those around you.

Description: The chairperson thanks the council and others who have helped during her tenure.

Description: This article discusses the importance of identifying foolish trades that actuaries make and offers some practical steps to minimize these type of trades.

Description: Do you wish you could be more effective? Would you like a few keys to being effective? In the June 2004 Harvard Business Review, Peter Drucker wrote an article titled “What Makes an Effective Executive.” As I read it I realized that it applies to all of us, not just executives. Applying these practices will make us better actuaries regardless of the level we’re at. From The Stepping Stone, January 2005, Issue No. 17.

Description: Introduction of the Leadership & Development 20th Anniversary Special Edition of The Stepping Stone.

Description: Effective Meeting Management by Charles R. Haskins from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, March 2000, Issue No. 3.

Description: Chairperson's corner.

Description: Adapted from portion of book titled "Awake at Work" by Michael Carroll, applying Buddhist philosophy to the reality that all employment arrangements and careers, even those of actuaries, must come to an end.

Description: Executives often tell subject matter experts such as actuaries, “You should think more strategically!” But the executives never define what they mean by “thinking more strategically”. This article defines the skills actuaries need to be perceived as being more strategic. It will provide practical steps actuaries can take to gain more strategic influence and escape the trap of being perceived as only a subject matter expert who provides limited strategic value.

Description: Kenneth Lay died a little over a month ago. I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, no pun intended, but I’d like to ask a question; Is it ever appropriate to celebrate someone’s death? Well, yeah! Mourn Hitler? Grieve Dahmer? Not likely. But what about a fellow like Kenneth Lay? He destroyed people’s lives as surely as these villains, but, as human beings, is it appropriate to delight in his untimely death?