When ‘leading with grace’ becomes ‘stomping through obstacles’

As leaders, we're often told to ‘lead with grace’ and ‘navigate challenges elegantly.’ Here's a confession – I'm not a graceful leader. I'm a little clumsy. I say things that aren't always polished. And you know what? I’m okay with that.

In my career, I've learned that authentic leadership isn't always pretty. Sometimes it's stomping through obstacles instead of dancing around them; speaking up at uncomfortable moments, not just when it's perfectly timed; and tackling problems head-on, even if it means making a mess first.

There's pressure to embody leadership buzzwords – grace, poise, elegance. But what if we embraced our less-than-graceful approaches?

In fact, when I write my autobiography, I’ll call it ‘Stomping Through Obstacles’ because that's genuinely how I've led and achieved goals. It might not be graceful, but it's ME – and it gets results.

So this month, let’s celebrate the stomping leaders, the fighters, the clumsy go-getters. We might not be graceful, but we make things happen!

?? When Life Throws You a Curveball: Lessons from a Four-Legged Friend

This month, I shared on LinkedIn about coming home from vacation to find our gorgeous 17-year-old pitbull, Diesel, nearing the end of his life. I'm gutted to tell you he passed on a couple of days later.

Losing a pet is never easy, but Diesel wasn't just a pet – he was my teacher, my constant companion through 17 years of adulting, and a master class in resilience.

Diesel moved 11 times with me, including two cross-country relocations. He was hit by a car, lost his hearing, lost his mobility, and outlived two of his furry siblings. But you know what? Diesel never let these setbacks slow him down or dampen his mood. As long as he was with his people, he acted like everything else could be managed.

Talk about stomping through obstacles, right?

In processing my grief, I created a photo book of Diesel's life – 89 pages, 240 photos, and a whole lot of memories. It got me thinking about the purpose of dogs in our lives. Diesel's was clear: to guide me through adulthood, show me what unconditional love looks like, and teach me how to navigate life's difficult moments.

He entered my life when I was venturing out on my own, without guidance or support. He became my purpose when I needed one most. And he left when I had the maturity to understand his lessons and apply them to other areas of my life.

The biggest lesson from having Diesel as part of my life was resilience. Adversity need not slow you down or dampen your mood. As long as you have the ones who love you near, all can be overcome.

So here's to Diesel, the ultimate example of stomping through obstacles with grace (even if that grace sometimes involved slobber and muddy paw prints). May we all face our challenges with the same tail-wagging enthusiasm he brought to every day of his 17 years.

And now back to normal programing ?

?? Stomping Through Insurance Challenges

Let's face it, folks – insurance is challenging right now, whether you're a homeowner or a business owner. We're seeing difficulties across multiple states and scenarios. But you know what they say: necessity is the mother of invention.

This tough market is sparking innovation in the insurance industry. While we might not see immediate solutions to our current problems, I'm optimistic about the future. As an InsurTech leader, I'm excited about the opportunities to better serve our clients and address pain points in our industry.

Looking ahead to next year and beyond, I anticipate:

• A shift in the market dynamics
• More diversification in insurance products
• Increased innovation in risk assessment and pricing
• New technologies addressing long-standing issues

These changes will likely impact our property and housing markets significantly, with ripple effects across other insurance sectors too.

Q4 for Finance Pros – Shift into Financial Planning Gear

Now, as we stomp into Q4, it's time for businesses to shift into high gear with financial planning. For CPAs and financial pros, October is a pivotal month for insurance decisions, particularly workers' comp. As you're helping clients plan their budgets for next year, don't overlook this crucial aspect of their financial health.

I know, I know – digging into the details of insurance policies isn't always glamorous. But it's essential for protecting your clients' businesses and potentially saving them money. That's the kind of obstacle-stomping we can all get behind!

As you navigate this busy season, remember:

1. Start early to avoid last-minute rushes (because nothing says "graceful" like a frantic deadline dash, right?)
2. Don't hesitate to reach out to insurance experts for guidance?
3. Consider how changes in your clients' businesses might affect their insurance needs (because change is the only constant, especially these days)

Need a hand? We're here to be a resource for you. ?? CoverHound offers a quick and easy quoting system and a broad range of coverage options so your clients can get the coverage they need and get back to work. No phone tag or long delays. Check out https://www.coverhound.com/financialpros. We're here to help you ensure your clients are protected and prepared for the year ahead.

We might be in the thick of challenges now, but the seeds of innovation are being planted. Insurance is likely to change a lot in the next few years. The signs are positive that it will be more responsive to the needs of both individuals and businesses.

So let's stomp through these insurance obstacles together. After all, that's what us not-so-graceful leaders do best, right?

Until next time, keep pushing forward – gracefully or not!

Caitlin

P.S. If you found this newsletter useful, I'd be honored if you'd share it with others.

And if you're looking for a speaker to ignite your audience's growth mindset and offer fresh perspectives on leadership and vulnerability in the workplace, let's connect! I'd love to bring my unique blend of insurance expertise and grit coaching to your next event.