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: This article addresses the importance of remembering to respect ourselves and others during times of uncertainty and stress, and offers practical tips on how to do so

Description: This article offers a simple three step process to making the time to deal with long-term strategic issues.

Description: A discussion of why so few actuaries break through the “math ceiling” to emerge as true business leaders. Certain skills and behaviors necessary for effective leadership are not innate in people drawn to the actuarial profession.

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

Description: The article hits highlights of of an annual meeting session that featured Sue Ann Collins, Sharon Giffen, and Tonya Manning discussing everything from career development to work life balance.

Description: In the Leadership & Development Section’s Leadership Inspiration Contest, entrants were asked to tell what inspired them to be a better actuarial leader. Here is an entry from the “Leadership Quote” category.

Description: How the quote, "Wherever you are, be all there" inspires my leadership

Description: A leadership interview with Margaret Meister looking back at her career trajectory and sharing lessons learned.