Description: Actuaries must be able to present compelling arguments to win over their audience. For the first time, they may be managing a staff looking for direction, making recommendations to senior leaders, or trying to persuade non-actuarial colleagues who see the world differently. This series of articles 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. Part 1 is focused on leading and influencing a team.

Description: Chairperson's Corner - introduces the issue and the SOA's initiative on diversity, as well as introduces Murnighan's diverse approach to leadership. Do Nothing! is the first of a three part series focused on J. Keith Murnighan's book "Do Nothing!" and discusses balancing working vs. leading, how to succeed as leader by counterbalancing challenges, and to best manage a team.

Description: Writing tips for actuaries – skipping the usual guidelines you get in most books on writing. They represent a half century of personal successes and failures.

Description: This article discusses how your leadership style should vary depending on the person you are leading, the situation and goal. 4 syles of leadership are discussed.

Description: “It’s Not About You” encourages the reader to take a broad perspective with respect to career advancement opportunities and to have an appropriate elevator pitch for all seasons. It suggests that anyone can develop the superior communication skills and strong presence required to deliver the most effective elevator pitch. It talks about the importance of focusing on the other person--their needs and the way they make decisions, rather than the speaker’s skills and experience. Finally, it recommends appealing to both emotion and logic, taking into consideration how the other person is more likely to make decisions.

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: The article describes my career in Diversity, starting at the workplace, and continuing during my current service on the Board. Readers should get ideas as to how they too can work towards improving Diversity and Inclusion in our workplaces and our profession.

Description: February issue of The Stepping Stone