What insurance agents need to know about the future of work
Agencies that adapt to new work environments and employee preferences will be ones to thrive in the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly created a new era of work. And in order to thrive through this crisis and the next, independent insurance agencies must be willing to adapt.
To help agencies evolve, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance recently released “The Agent’s Guide to the Future of Work” e-book that offers insights and advice on hiring talent, creating great agency cultures and building the next generation of insurance leaders.
“ As uncertainty begins to fade and optimism emerges, there’s nothing more timely or urgent than addressing the tectonic shifts happening within our own ‘office’ walls,” writes Tyler Asher, Liberty Mutual and Safeco’s president of independent agent distribution, in the guide.
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Possibly the most significant workplace shift caused by the pandemic has been the transition from in-office work to remote models. However, as many agents return to the office, agency leaders will have to navigate the challenges of leading and managing employees in a hybrid work environment, according to the guide. It follows that 83% of workers said they prefer hybrid working arrangements.
Agency leaders will also have to adapt their management style as workplaces change. Now, new generations of workers are more likely to change jobs than previous generations. They also place greater value on work conditions such as flexibility, diversity & inclusion, and training and mentorship opportunities.
“The leaders of tomorrow will look different and value very different things than their predecessors,” Asher writes. ”Embracing the new era of work also means embracing this new generation of leaders. Not all leaders necessarily have the title to match their potential — or at least not yet. Leaders can emerge from any level, and fostering the qualities of leadership within all employees, independent of title, will allow you to grow talent from within.”
Related: Three visions for the future independent insurance agent
For more insights from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance’s “The Agent’s Guide to the Future of Work,” check out the infographic below.
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