In recent years, more firms across the insurance industry have embraced mentorships as an important way of training new talent, introducing knowledge sharing and boosting the confidence of employees across their organisations.
At the upcoming Women in Insurance Summit Australia a new industry mentorship program will launch. The program is open to all Summit delegates.
Gallagher Bassett (GB) is one of a number of insurance firms that fosters an internal mentorship program.
“Personally, as a leader I place a lot of importance on development plans and mentoring relationships,” said Lisa Odgers (pictured above), GB’s claims operations manager. Her firm is a Gold Sponsor of the Summit.
Odger’s 25-year career in the personal injury space and a decade as a senior industry leader have likely strongly influenced her “holistic” approach to mentoring. “I think it’s very important that these plans allow and cater for the holistic view of an individual’s life, including family commitments,” she said.
Sydney-based Odgers said mentorships can very significantly influence any workplace. “I also very loudly and proudly celebrate diversity and the benefits that it brings to any workplace or team,” she said.
Much like Canopius Group, another firm with a well-established mentorship program, Sydney-based Odgers said GB sees mentoring as a way to build future executives.
“I take my responsibility to build the next generation of leaders very seriously and have a great respect for those that have invested the same in me over my career,” she said.
At the Summit Odgers is taking part in a panel that will discuss ways of empowering women in the insurance industry.
One focus area is looking at ways women can engage internal sponsors who can act as supportive advocates. In some ways these internal sponsors are much like mentors.
Odgers’ panel will explore other issues, including tips for overcoming impostor syndrome and navigating difficult environments and dynamics at work.
The GB executive said women in the insurance space also face other familiar issues like balancing a career and family. “The challenges include maintaining a career trajectory whilst starting or building on your family,” said Odgers. “There are also inaccurate assumptions that are often the case in terms of having the space to fill the requirements of senior level roles.”
She’s looking forward to the Summit as a platform to share experiences and successes. “The Women in Insurance event is important for highlighting the contributions and achievements of women in our industry,” said Odgers. “Such events provide valuable networking opportunities.”
There’s also the opportunity, she said, to discuss the industry’s gender-specific issues and find valuable insights and new skills.
Canopius, the speciality insurer, is the Summit’s Mentorship Program Partner and, like GB, brings the experience of a well-established mentorship program.
“Canopius believes mentoring is essential to developing and training staff so we can create more rounded and high-performing employees,” said Sydney-based Claudio Saita, the firm’s head of Australia and Pacific.
He said his firm had spent considerable time fostering a robust program. The Canopius leader said industry firms that are serious about creating a mentorship program need to make a long-term commitment and investment.
“At Canopius we have dedicated teams who ensure that everyone in the business is aware of the program and that mentors are paired with the right mentees,” said Saita.
The process involves a briefing session and online interactive learning, he said, so that mentors and mentees understand their roles and responsibilities.
“We encourage our mentors and mentees to meet regularly, and this involves ensuring the mentee is the organiser and driver behind the meetings,” he said. “This gives them experience in ‘managing up’, and also planning and working with senior colleagues who are often time-poor.”
He suggested that having a flexible program is key to its success.
Are you an insurance industry mentor or mentee? How did it help your career? Please tell us about it below.
