For anyone, the road to the corner office can be a toughjourney. For women in the insurance industry, it can providesome additional challenges. A 2015 study by Saint Joseph’sUniversity Academy of Risk Management & Insurance showed thatout of 100 insurance companies that participated in its survey, 78percent had no females in “C-Level” positions. That number mayseem daunting, but things are getting better. The figure is downfrom 85 percent in the Academy’s 2013 survey, so progress is beingmade.

Regardless, becoming a female CEO in theinsurance industry takes expertise, courage, andperseverance. Becoming one in the traditionally conventionalfraternal system takes even more. In a diversity workshop at itsMay, 2017 Spring Symposium in Chicago, which was moderated byDenise McCauley, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officerfor WoodmenLife, the members of the American Fraternal Alliancewere lucky enough to hear from two highly respected women who holdtop posts at their societies. Teresa Rasmussen, President ofThrivent Financial and Cynthia Tidwell, CEO & President ofRoyal Neighbors of America, shared their experiences and providedadvice to future leaders. Interestingly, as both pointed out atdifferent times during their conversation, their advice is equallyapplicable to both men and women seeking the path to leadership.Most of their advice fell into seven basic categories that offersome outstanding lessons in leadership.

1. Specialize

Neither Tidwell nor Rasmussen initially began their careers inthe insurance industry. Both started in health care fields, andboth stressed that the specialization of skills in certain,in-demand, areas played a strong role in their success.

Tidwell, whose first job out of college was in cardiorehabilitation, soon found that most leadership positions inmedical were reserved only for doctors. She subsequently moved intothe insurance industry for the State Farm claims department. Herfamiliarity with health care gave her an advantage, and she wasable to rise through the ranks there and then at several othercompanies, including Chubb, Xerox and Fireman’s Fund. Through thisprocess, Tidwell became known as a turn-around expert, and itchanged the trajectory of her career. She was recognized as someonewho could move from department to department and company to companysolving problems, realigning staff, improving bottom lines andtransforming troubled divisions into profit centers.

Rasmussen began her career as a dental hygienist and moved on tostudy accounting, finally becoming an attorney and working as anin-house counsel for American Express in financial services andasset management. She explains that during the early 1990s, manycompanies were experiencing turmoil. As a low-level attorney forAMEX, Rasmussen found her stepping stone to leadership in thebankruptcy code. When given an opportunity to dig into thiscomplicated topic, she quickly became an expert and helped thecompany develop a strategy for using the code to enhance theirbottom line. Rasmussen soon developed a reputation as someone whowas not afraid to speak about her specialty to upper management andthis, in turn, led to further opportunities.

Put simply, the message from both women is: Create your value,use it as a competitive advantage, and opportunities willcome along.

2. Don’t beafraid to fail

The risk of failure is uncomfortable for everyone, and women cansometimes shy away from taking chances. But both women noted theneed to learn to embrace that risk and jump at new opportunities.Rasmussen explained that you need to ask yourself, what’s the worstthing that can happen? “Growing and developing isuncomfortable, but you need to just let it happen. In order togrow, we all need to be able to jump in and get outside of ourcomfort zones.”

Tidwell echoed the sentiment, explaining that she “loves risk”and noting “people just need to go for it. We never know what weare capable of until we try.” She also advises that as you take onnew projects and responsibilities, you need to continually learnabout your organization and specifically, how it makes money. Keepthat knowledge in mind as you approach new challenges, and it willhelp you make better decisions in your role as a leader.

3. You needmentors and sponsors

Organizations need to provide their people with opportunitiesfor both mentorship and sponsorship. Both Tidwell andRasmussen noted, however, that while mentors or sponsors played arole in their career success, they were wary of official corporateprograms that assign mentors.

According to Tidwell, “Mentors who are assigned to a person donot work well. Finding a mentor needs to be organic; therelationship must be a safe place to brainstorm, share ideas andreceive advice.“ She also spoke to the idea that mentoringalone is not enough for success. “You need to have sponsors aswell. Sponsorship is when someone in your company on a level aboveyou sees your potential and gives you an opportunity to succeed.”Rasmussen recalled that while she had never had a formal mentor,she had a lot of sponsors over the course of her career.

4. Raise your hand!

Rasmussen spoke to the power of making yourself available totake on new opportunities. “Raise your hand when upper managementis seeking a volunteer. It will help you to gather expertise andbuild your reputation.” She related a story about how even agreeingto dine with a senior colleague that she didn’t know well while ona business trip led to a fruitful relationship and new contactsthat helped her build her career.

Tidwell agreed about looking for opportunity, but cautioned thatsaying yes is not always the correct answer. She spoke about anopportunity she was offered at one insurance company that she feltwas not different enough from her current position. She wanted afresh challenge, so she turned the offer down and referred acandidate who she thought would be a good fit. A few months later,after hiring the person that she had recommended, the same companyoffered Tidwell a top position that began an exciting new phase ofher career.

5. Don’tjust find problems

“Many people are good at identifying problems, but aspiringleaders need to offer solutions,” says Rasmussen. “Welook for people who make change by translating their ideas intogood business. Become a solution-generating employee, and you’llincrease your value to your management and to the company.According to Tidwell, when focusing on finding solutions toproblems, it helps to create a structure that identifieschallenges, develops a plan to stabilize the situation and retainsfocus on how to monetize or create value for the company.

6. Control destiny through your choices

Each person’s career journey is made up of choices that we makefor ourselves. “We control our choices and life is full of them,”said Tidwell. “If you don’t like what you are doing, then changeit. Make the choices and then fulfill the consequences of thosechoices.” She also added some advice directed specifically atwomen. “We should all strive to live with integrity,” saidTidwell, but women must be extra vigilant about “not crossingcertain lines that will result in a loss of respect.”

7. Bepassionate and mindful

“Be passionate about what you do every day,” advised Tidwell.“Life is too short. You must have a passion for what you do.”Rasmussen agreed and spoke about the practice of mindfulness. Sheembraces this technique for herself and her teams. “Mindfulnessenables you to make better decisions.” Mindfulness has helped herbring people together to create new visions and plans. “In businesstoday, we are moving everyone’s cheese all the time. Mindfulnesshelps us bring cultures together and break down silos to move theteam and the business forward.”

Both women are eager to share their passion and recruit talentto the sector. “The fraternal system includes some of the best andbrightest women, and we need to give them the opportunity to becatalysts for change which is needed in our industry,” saysTidwell. “Fraternals take care of the whole person,” saidRasmussen. “We provide both financial piece of mind and anemotional fulfillment that gets to a member’s sense of purpose.It’s the coolest charter on the face of the planet.”