Description: Latest in series of articles exploring the adaptation of Buddhist philosophy to actuarial practice. This installment examines the challenges for actuaries in dealing with pain points in actuarial work, and how to best manage these forces so that the work remains aligned with professional standards.

Description: To provide high level information on a book selected and discussed during the December book club session, The Ten Commandments of Risk Leadership. In addition, this article serves as a promotion of the SOA book club as well as the upcoming sessions.

Description: This article is the result of the Leadership & Development book club on Dare Lead. The article talks about major themes in the book and relates them to other podcasts and authors thought on those themes.

Description: Providing ways to master the art of soft skills and embracing agility to propel actuarial success in today's market.

Description: Interview with Sara Teppema showing her career journey and leadership philosophy.

Description: This is a conversation with two critical staff members of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) about their experience there. Jane Lesch is a non-actuary who has been working at the SOA for over 20 years, and is an engagement specialist. Mike Boot is an actuary who retired at the end of February after 15 years at the SOA, most recently as managing director. We spoke to both Jane and Mike to get their take on what leadership is about, and how working at the SOA impacted them.

Description: The latest in a series of articles connecting the principles of Zen Buddhism to the working world of actuaries. This issue focuses on techniques for cultivating a gratitude mindset under all types of conditions - even stressful ones, in order to maintain equilibrium and harmony for a more productive workday.

Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to a real life situation posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision. This issue’s case study involved a career decision by a near FSA.

Description: We discuss a high-level overview with practical steps on how to be a great manager. We describe 14 real-life traits of a truly impactful manager that can be used to successfully guide a team that includes staff who are at any level of their career. The results should help create a dynamic, empowered and engaged team

Description: A real life situation is posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision, and readers are invited to submit their responses to "What Would You Do?" This issue’s case study involved deciding whether or not to take an actuarial job that didn't seem that interesting, in order to work for a dynamic boss.

Description: What does leadership look like within the actuarial industry, what are some variables, and what practical advice can we learn?

Description: July 2017 issue of The Stepping Stone by Leadership & Development Section. practical information for actuaries, trends that impact section, section activities

Description: Men and women have different leadership skills. But working alongside men, women can effectively leverage their leadership strengths to bolster their careers.

Description: The appeal of the actuarial profession to women.

Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to a real life situation posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision. This issue’s case study involved whether an actuary who had recently started consulting should consider a job offer to return to a corporate role.

Description: February issue of The Stepping Stone

Description: No matter what you do, you are in sales in some way. The word, "sales" or "selling" brings up negative connotations for many people. It may be helpful to think of it as "influence". Whether you're a sales professional, coach, consultant or executive - there are key stakeholders in your world you need to influence. To persuade successfully and non-manipulatively, it's important to understand five key principles of influence. Principle #3 is covered here.

Description: The Stepping Stone issue 60, November 2015

Description: To persuade successfully and non-manipulatively, it’s important to understand five key principles of influence. In this four-part series, I’ll be covering these five principles that are based on human psychology and behavior. Let’s look at the first two now.

Description: Executive Coach Marcel Schwantes demonstrated that applying daily practices of Servant Leadership is really the best way to engage workers to perform at a high level, which will improve the bottom line. Here Schwantes returns to kick-off a six part series that delves deep into the best practices of what a servant leader is, and does.

Description: The Stepping Stone August 2015 issue.

Description: The entire issue of The Stepping Stone, February 2015 - Issue 57

Description: Adapted from a chapter of "Awake at Work" by Michael Carroll, this edition of the series discusses how fundamental Buddhist principles of change and impermanance pervade the world of the actuary and how the actuary can work with these principles to add value to his employer or client.

Description: As an independent actuarial recruiter for the past 15 years, I've observed how some actuarial careers reflect steep trajectories, whereas others plateau or stagnate. The single biggest factor I’ve observed to determine this trajectory is an actuary’s ability to communicate in a way where he or she is perceived not merely as a technical resource, but as a strategic business partner whose insight, knowledge and opinion carry influence with decision-makers. We'll walk through Three Keys to help you create this transformation so that decision-makers no longer perceive you as a technical resource, but will see you as a strategic business partner.

Description: Fourth installment in an ongoing series of articles adapted from Michael Carroll's "Awake at Work", applying Buddhist principles to the challenges faced by actuaries. This installment examines the often chaotic work circumstances faced by actuaries and encourages the reader to see such situations as opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Description: This article is about the requirement of leadership and effective business development in the insurance industry.

Description: The author identifies miscommunication challenges that may exist in the workplace, including misunderstandings and communication mishaps, assumption of motive, and relational tension, and suggests clarifying conversation as a way to address these challenges.

Description: A review of the book, You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader, by Mark Sanborn. Throughout the book, you may need to rethink your concept of what a leader is. In addition to the concepts provided, Sanborn also provides leadership action points at the end of each section.

Description: Even if you are analytic and process oriented, you have the ability to be great at selling.

Description: The authors suggest that mastering 'star performer' skills and work strategies is simply a matter of learning and practicing the outlined techniques. From The Stepping Stone, February 2012, Issue No. 45.

Description: The author summarizes reader responses to the previously published “Jam Sandwich” case study, which illustrated one challenge of being stuck in the middle of a management situation. Reader responses including references to potential violations of the Code of Professional Conduct and to Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 23, ‘Data Quality’ as well as suggestions for corrective action. From ‘The Stepping Stone’ issue number 43.

Description: The author presents a case study that sets out a hypothetical workplace dilemma involving professional conduct and an actuarial report, and invites reader responses. From ‘The Stepping Stone’ issue number 43.

Description: A review of the book WE: How to Increase Profits through Full Engagement.

Description: Feature article highlighting readers’ responses to a previously published hypothetical workplace dilemma where unlocking assumptions resulted in an unexpected DAC writedown.

Description: The author offers three determining questions to identify your obstacles to success.

Description: Peter Jacobi offers six common mistakes made by businesses today.

Description: This article poses a hypothetical workplace dilemma. Solutions and feedback are presented in the next issue. From the October 2010 issue of Stepping Stones.

Description: A summary of the responses to the article “Stochastic Cherry Orchard”. A situation where a subordinate actuary was asked by his superior to reduce the number of scenarios run on a UL valuation in order to meet a time deadline.

Description: An article on a hypothetical workplace dilemma involving the updating of assumptions which resulted in a change in EGPs and DAC amortization.

Description: A hypothetical workplace dilemma in which readers are invited to submit their comments and suggested solutions.

Description: Article that discusses Web 2.0 and associated strategies for productively using today's social media.

Description: How to resolve and prevent conflicts in business.

Description: How to get more out of your employees by monitoring their 'Tensions'. The employee's tensions may be either too high Stress or too low Apathy. This article tells you what to do in either case.

Description: The author reviews 13 bad habits that create barriers to sales success.

Description: This article introduces benefits and processes of the Living Systems Approach the goal of which is to provide the catalyst for the transformation of the individual and the organization into purposeful, collaborative and accountable teams.

Description: This article provides steps to clarify conversations to ensure greater success, fulfillment and satisfying business relationships.

Description: This article provides a model to assist teaching and coaching. It has been used to improve relationships and performance both in individual situations and in group settings.

Description: Editor's column from The Stepping Stone, April 2006, Issue No. 22.

Description: Think of a pioneer as “someone who opens up new areas of thought, research or development, or one who ventures into unknown or unclaimed territory” (Webster’s Dictionary). The Stepping Stone, July 2005, Issue No. 19.

Description: The aphorism, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” applies to business communications as well as wardrobe and handshakes. Your image is polished — or tarnished — with everything you write and distribute. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: Actuary Morphs Into Coach by Gerald A. Fryer from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, October 2004, Issue No. 16.

Description: The Power Of Decision Making by David C. Miller from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, January 2004, Issue No. 13.

Description: How to Be a Superstar in Your Own Company by Aimee Kaye from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, March 2003, Issue No. 11.