Description: Every decision you make affects the quality and direction of your life to some degree. Some decisions have more neutral consequences while others have a profound impact. This article covers the reasons for not making decisions, the cost of not making decisions and six steps to effective decision making.

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: 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 a recently departed employee should be offered the chance to return, and whether he should consider it.

Description: A book review of Your Life ... Well Spent by Russ Crosson. The book is a great resource for actuaries and others. It explores questions such as: Why do we work? What is the point of earning money? What should we do with the money we earn?

Description: Book summary and review of "Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results" by Judith E. Glaser. Summarizes the three main levels of conversation, how conversations can move from trusting to distrusting, and how to achieve conversational intelligence and Level III conversations.

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: Three simple actions to take right now at your workplace in the absence of company-sponsored learning and development programs.

Description: A personal reflection on actuarial leadership

Description: An essay on how the lyrics of the Simon and Garfunkel hit song helps the author keep perspective and be a better leader by slowing down and taking the time to listen and lead.

Description: In the Leadership & Development Section’s Leadership Inspiration Contest, entrants were asked to tell us what inspired them to be a better actuarial leader. Carlos Arocha submitted an entry from the “Defining Moment/Event” category.