The Three C's
Photo: Helena Lopes - @helena_wlt

The Three C's

I was recently asked to speak at our Global Recruiters Network (GRN) leadership conference and was extremely honored to do so. I was asked to talk about my thoughts about CONNECTION. Boy, did that resonate.

Most of you know that while I have been very fortunate to have 25 years of experience in various channels of the P&C Insurance space, I am a newbie recruiter. At just 2 wonderful years in the talent acquisition space, every day I am inspired by my unique vantage point in the industry - I am truly loving this new side of the business. Most days I still feel like I am doing very similar work: building teams, creating valuable partnerships, and working together with business leaders to improve the industry as a whole, one new hire at a time. As I was thinking about the similarities to those two careers, it dawned on me that there is a great deal of synergy in how my personal values have impacted my first act in the Insurance industry, and now again in my second act as Managing Partner of Global Recruiters of Denver.

With that, I decided it might be interesting to share some of my thoughts on values that drive me everyday: community, collaboration, and connection. “The Three C’s” I call them.

Let me start with COMMUNITY.

The way that Global Recruiters Network (GRN) has embraced me, my family, and my goals not only from day one, but how they continue to do so - is nothing short of remarkable. It showed me from early on that my goals of creating a powerful community were not only supported by my network, but heavily encouraged. BIG WIN.

With 2020 getting more distant every day in the rear view, I think of the saying I have heard many times. Hindsight is 2020. Just as soon as I remembered that saying I thought...how interesting that last year was 2020.

I was curious about that saying, so I went to the good ‘ole Google machine and started doing a little research. The earliest reference of the saying was found in the Van Nuys News back in 1949, where humorist Richard Armour was quoted as saying “Most people’s hindsight is 20-20”. As I kept digging I was pleased to learn that one of my favorite economists did a whole podcast on that exact saying.

Yes, that’s right - NERD ALERT - I have a TOP FIVE list of favorite economists, but my all time favorite is someone some of you may know of already from famed podcast Freakanomics: Steven Levitt - Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, where he directs the Becker Center on Chicago Price Theory. 

If you’ve never listened to the Freakanomics podcast or read any of the companion books like ‘Superfreak’ or others, don’t be fooled – their content is not simply about production consumption and interaction of wealth, but one big social experiment in the hidden side of those things and more…from David Lee Roth to gluten free bread. You won’t be disappointed – PROMISE.

But, I digress…back to community. In 2020 community was more important than ever, but now we had a new challenge to face. Creating community in a virtual world. How do we do it, how do we master it, and how do we sustain it. Its become a topic examined over and over by many. 

For me, community has become a pretty regular topic in my calls…when working with candidates I ask: “tell me how you keep your professional community alive in this new virtual world?” With clients I inquire: “how do you promote community with your teams virtually and how do you do it in a way that promotes an internal community that stays connected, not only to their specific team, but broadly with other business units?” I love this kind of dialogue. Questioning together and examining each other’s ideas as we move forward in this new frontier. Exchanging ideas, sharing, you might even say consulting… AH, look at that– another C!

Driving community is a great topic to explore with anyone you are talking to, you never know what kind of ideas will come out of those conversations and past experiences, because hindsight is indeed 2020.

Next up was COLLABORATION.

When you think of collaboration, you most likely think of two parties working together or maybe two brands working together in what the younger generations refer to as a COLLAB, and those definitions aren’t wrong. I like to see collaboration as more than that.

To me, collaboration is recognizing individuals strengths and weaknesses to blend and better work together, a willingness to find a solution, and a big one – mutual trust. I try to be a good collaborator of course, but I lean in to the vulnerability of interdependence and honesty. Be open about EVERYTHING and own the areas where you add value, encourage your team and your partners to do the same. By relying on one another, making everyone highly responsible for accomplishing goals and tasks, we win together!

Last, but certainly not least: CONNECTION.

Raise your virtual hand if you view yourself as a natural connector. While I can’t see you all right now, something tells me there are a lot of you nodding your heads. In my office we are niche by design, leaning in to the deep cuts of the insurance industry and all the unique needs it demands. While our industry is laser focused, our network is broadly full of many fortunate long-term connections. See, the size of your community isn’t nearly as important as the depth of your connection.

In a world of algorithms, hashtags, and followers – we have to recognize the true importance of the human connection.

Many of us use a plethora of tools that help to drive efficiency, work smarter and hopefully create more time for the big needs and tasks that drive our day. I do too, as a matter of fact, I probably try too many tools for my own good, just ask my Director Erin.

So while I try to figure out the shiny new tools that work for my business, let me tell you about a tool that works almost 100% of the time AND is totally free: human connection. 

Connections breed conversations, better referrals, greater understanding of each other’s perspectives, and most importantly deeper business alliances. So, while I still think it’s a good thing to look at exciting new tech tools to potentially enhance your business, the best tool is a free one.

With that, I'll leave you with this: your personal values are paramount, but equally important and REWARDING is the ability to weave those values into all that you do personally AND professionally. And might I add, in hindsight, you’ll be glad that you did.

Jessica Peskin not only is this content relevant and interseting, your voice, perspective and tone land perfectly for me as a reader! I'm inspired to go read my freakonomics book!

Pia Beck

Marketing Agency + Coffee Bus owner

3y

such a great read!

Nailed it Jessica!

Darlene M. Johnson, PMP ®, CSM ® CSPO ®

Leader in Business and IT Project & Program Management- Focused on collaboration, relationships, organization, and results.

3y

Passion for what you do each day, engagement, trust, loyalty, collaboration, and last but not least ATTITUDE

George Dos Santos, SCLA

Claim Leadership | Innovation | Collaborator | Team Building | Performance Improvement | Vice President | Director | Manager | Operations

3y

The 3 C's...one of the most important aspects of a business. 100% in agreement.

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