Surplus Execs Address Leadership, Perpetuation

Four industry leaders attempted to tackle explaining the definition of “leadership” and what it takes to be a leader, while addressing perpetuation concerns during the “Next Generation Panel Discussion: Developing the Future Leaders of Our Industry” at the annual National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) conference in San Diego last month.

The panel consisted of Steven Gross, chairman and CEO of Springfield, N.J.-based Metro Insurance Services Inc., Letha Heaton, vice president of marketing for Cherry Hill, N.J.-based Admiral Insurance Co. and NAPSLO president, Patrick Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago, Ill.-based Ryan Specialty Group and Michael Miller, president and CEO of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Scottsdale Insurance Co.

“Leadership is establishing a vision and getting others to buy into that vision, and when they buy into that vision, it’s establishing trust,” said Ryan, who led the U.S. bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Miller said he believes leadership has added meaning nowadays. “Leadership equals influence,” he said.

Gross said leadership is about passing along to others one’s state of mind. “A leader has something in them that is very positive and allows them to pass that along to others,” he said.

The panelists discussed how to become a good leader.

“You have to trust your instincts about people you surround yourself with,” Heaton said.

Heaton said being confident and communicating that confidence to others is important. “The most valuable thing you have is what is thought of you,” she said.

Despite persistent concerns echoed in regard to perpetuation in the industry, the panelists held out positive views on the future of leaders in the insurance industry.

“I think that I’m very bullish about the future of leadership in our industry,” Ryan said.

Topics Leadership