Description: An introduction to a new benefit for members of the Management and Professional Development section - getAbstract, a service that summarizes important business-related books. Includes how to access this benefit as well as what it is and why actuaries would be interested.

Description: Beyond technical skills, actuaries must be outstanding communicators and influences in order to maintain the critical roles they play within insurance organizations. Early career development is focused on building a strong technical and industry foundation. Once this foundation is in place, however, actuaries must quickly adapt to being submerged in a fast-paced, results-oriented business environment that requires the ability to communicate effectively and, more importantly, influence those around you. This article is intended to educate young actuarial professionals on key business influencing skills that will be beneficial in the near term as well as throughout their careers. The main focus is on influencing peers.

Description: This is an interview with Michael Braunstein, one of the founding members of the Leadership & Development section.

Description: The author of this article stresses that the greatest success comes from aligning what you are best at with what you love to do therefore, one should concentrate on figuring out how to achieve life goals within that area.

Description: An actuary reviews the book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There," by Marshall Goldsmith.

Description: How to secure an opportunity in a challenging job market.

Description: This article discusses the management experience gap. If management experience is a requirement for a manager level position, how does somebody ever get the chance to develop such experience? The author suggests volunteering time and energy in the community.

Description: Have you ever thought you did something very well just to be given feedback that proves you wrong? A leadership story that started with delegation.

Description: This article describes team dynamics of introverts and extroverts, with an actuarial audience in mind. The article references the works of author Susan Cain.

Description: In this article the author discusses a game plan of playing to your strengths. In practice, few of us expend the time and energy necessary to identify and then meaningfully enhance our core strengths. Instead, we remain shackled by cultural patterns and habits that cause us to focus disproportionately on fixing our weaknesses.