If you've never been to Torrey Pines State Park in San Diego, it is worth the trip. The sweeping landscapes full of green pines, cacti, and twisting trails all converge upon dramatic cliffs that dip away into the vast Pacific–truly breathtaking scenery for someone who had spent her life north of Boston. But it's not the easiest hike to get to.

I had moved to San Diego to take a job as an interim chief information officer during the winter of 2007. During my first few months on the West Coast, I fell in love with Torrey Pines. Sometimes I would drive to the top of the winding, steep hill that separated the beach from the hiking trails. Some days, I would resign myself to the beach with newspaper and coffee, pondering the daunting thought of actually heading up on foot. I was convinced I was not ready to climb the hill and needed the summer months to get ready for the attempt. Almost paralyzed by my fears, I was sure I would not make it up . . . I would have to turn back around and start from scratch.

Ironically, as an insurance executive with a background in management consulting and research advisory services, I realized my Torrey Pines experience was similar to challenges facing many insurance executives and many of my clients. I frequently find myself speaking to clients and reminding them dramatic shifts in our day-to-day challenges often require an equally dramatic shift in strategies, business processes, and technology investments. At the same time, they had to be mindful of the right balance of risk and caution, aggressive dates with realistic goals, and piloting unchartered territories with the blend of basics, techniques, and skills. I always remind clients success is not necessarily built around quantum leaps but rather steady contributions toward the overall vision and goal against a business and IT road map. In addition, the more transparent they can create the structure and process, the more efficient and effective the outcomes. Of course, all of this is easier said than done, whether the challenge is business reengineering or implementing an IT project or the Torrey Pines climb.