Description: The Stepping Stone issue 60, November 2015

Description: Cassie He and Linda Liu, two actuarial students, invite Mark Freedman, the President-Elect of SOA to share with us his experience as an actuary, the challenges and opportunities facing actuaries and the outlook for the profession as SOA president.

Description: Relationship management is your ability to use your awareness of your own emotions and those of others to manage interactions successfully. Given enough time and quality exchanges, we can form a relationship with any person we encounter. We should strive to develop positive relationships with people we like, and even with those we don’t like as much. Once established, both parties will understand each other better and benefit from the connection. Relationships can be challenging, especially at work or under stress. Skillfully managing them will help you initiate direct and productive conversations to alleviate misunderstandings, solve conflicts and achieve desired goals. This article explores strategies to develop the skill of relationship management.

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: The editorial reflects on the opportunities for professional and personal development involved in being a contributing editor for The Actuary.

Description: Latest in a series applying Buddhist philosophy to the working world of the actuary. The focus is on the author's experience in yoga teacher training.

Description: The authors share eight vulnerabilities that leaders need to watch out for.

Description: This article provides advice and guidance to young actuaries looking to influence their leaders and senior management.

Description: The article summarizes a key take-away of mine while working internationally for a 3 month period. The take-away is how a global perspective helps us personally and professionally grow to be more effective leaders.