Description: In a world filled with tweets, ever-breaking news, thousands of TV channels and millions of podcasts, is there any point to toiling away at an article? Or seeking a journal or magazine willing to publish it? It would seem that no one is likely to read about your hard-earned wisdom in this jam-packed world, much less be influenced or educated by it. Yet many of the reasons that have always propelled actuaries and their companies to take the time and trouble to publish an article (or two or more) still ring true today, ensuring that those of us who do make the effort will surely reap business development benefits. The likely competitive edge is just that strong. What competitive edge am I talking about? This article explains four reasons how and why this is so, especially when measured against competitors who would never even bother with this remarkable tactic.

Description: Expanding Horizons recently had the opportunity to interview Wenjun Zhu, the winner of the Society of Actuaries’ (SOA’s) third Actuarial Science Early Career Award.

Description: In this real life case study, an actuarial candidate tried to get the hiring manager to increase the level of the position for which she was interviewing. Did that raise red flags about her candidacy? A compilation of reader responses is presented, along with what actually happened.

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: The article highlights the importance of learning and development (L&D) for personal and professional growth. While many have access to resources like seminars and online courses, few fully utilize them. Genuine curiosity, behavior shifts, priority management, and discipline are key to effective L&D. Learning is an active, deliberate process, requiring consistent effort and time management. It’s important to set clear goals, create a timeline, and schedule regular progress checks. Rather than relying on motivation alone, building disciplined habits is crucial for sustained improvement. Ultimately, personal growth is a self-driven journey, not dependent on external validation.

Description: A regularly occurring column in this Leadership and Development Section publication, it is a platform for the Section Chairperson to communicate with the readership regarding upcoming important topics that this Section will focus on in the current year. This article provides an overview of the new plan of focus for the newly-elected Leadership and Development Section Council for 2023.

Description: Joint Risk Management Section chairperson's corner, June 2023

Description: Can we learn anything about business success, or better yet about life, from the world of politics? One would presume not, given the seeming vast gulf between these realms. Yet perhaps this personal tale of a challenge I undertook decades ago might shed some light on how independent actuaries (and entrepreneurs in other corners of business) might adopt a refreshing perspective that advances, or even transforms, their current actuarial practice’s trajectory.

Description: The incoming E&R chair for the coming year reflects on past accomplishments of the E&R council, acknowledges with thanks contributors, and looks forward to continuation in the coming year.

Description: An interview with Diana Skrzydlo, the inaugural winner of the SOA Outstanding Educator Award, about her teaching and the future of actuarial education.