“If you want the corner office, you have to ask for it. No one is a mind reader.”

This sage advice came from Inga Beale, CEO, Lloyd’s, at the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s (IICF) second Women in Insurance Global Conference (WIGC). The conference, held June 17–19 in New York City, brought together insurance industry professionals to talk about the theme of empowering women and the industry to improve diversity and inclusion at all levels, especially the top ranks.

To illustrate her point, Beale asked the audience to raise their hands if they wanted to be in senior management. The overwhelming majority of hands shot up. When she asked the audience to raise their hands if they had ever told their supervisors and managers that they had those career goals, only about half the participants raised their hands. She then noted that 68% of women received promotions and 77% received raises after asking. “Take a risk and believe in yourself and your capabilities,” she concluded. “You can get what you want.”