“There is a level of reward you get that’s greater than anything else when you can truly go home knowing you have helped someone or made their life just that little bit easier.”Steven Manning, the CEO of the LMI Group, has some big shoes to fill. In this podcast, Steve discusses the challenges and benefits of having Professor Allan Manning as his father and inspirational guide, the benefits of being in a family business and his global expansion plans for LMI. He has some great advice for others who are seeking to establish their own footprint in the profession and how important family is to achieving any business aspirations. Steven firmly believes that “if you decide to make this industry your career, it offers a fantastic opportunity.”

“You can’t move forward in your career if people don’t respect you and people want to be led by you and people believe in you.”Damien Coates believes that “we’ve got to keep challenging and stretching ourselves because society in every fabric is changing and we’ve got to make sure we keep up with it.” And he should know. Apart from his role as CEO for Dual Asia Pacific, Damien discusses the impact of mental health on his life as well as the personal impact of having been front and centre of the third largest corporate fraud in Australia’s history. His views are unabashedly honest and forthright as he talks about the non-negotiables of hard work, personal betrayal and the three pillars of managing his own mental health to, as he puts it, “keep the dam under control”.LINKS:https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/https://www.beyondblue.org.au/https://www.lifeline.org.au/

“There’s an interesting correlation between childhood trauma and the ability to be strong and resilient later in life!”From living in constant fear and danger all her teenage life to backing herself in developing businesses in overseas destinations, Joan Fitzpatrick speaks about the challenges she has faced and how they have impacted her business life. A huge advocate of equality in all its forms, be it religion, colour, sex or any other form of ‘ism, Joan shares with us the key aspects that have contributed to her success and longevity in the profession.

“Insurance and Banking are the basis of all progress (modern) mankind has ever made anywhere and at anytime and to be part of it is a pretty big buzz!”The General Manager of the Underwriting Agencies Council, Mr William Legge discusses how selling publications along the east coast delivered him to the doorstep of the insurance profession. In this podcast, he also shares with us his learnings from doing business in the South East Asian markets and how that influenced his attitude to insurance business back home in Australia.

“What surprised me was the number of senior executives that have just lost their way, that had lost connection with their sense of compassion and their caring nature. By hardening their hearts what I saw was unnecessary diminishment and disempowerment of really brilliant humans.”As the creator of the Centre for Self Fidelity, Cassandra Goodman assists employers and employees to: Remember and reconnect to their essential nature, Restore their trust in their goodness, uniqueness, worthiness and connectedness and Activate more of their potential by cultivating trust in themselves. In this podcast, Cassandra shares her insights into how and why she does what she does!How to find Cassandra:https://self-fidelity.com/the-centre-for-self-fidelity/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-goodman/To buy the book log onto https://cassandragoodman.com/self-fidelity/type and type code FRIEND to get free postage

“Getting more forethought into how you prepare for the future, not how you protect the past is particularly important!”The Managing Director of Blue Zebra, Colin Fagen, speaks about his life in the corporate sphere before venturing into the great unknown – that of creating his own business. He discusses the anxious uncertainty following his public departure from a major insurer and how forced change created significant opportunities for him.  

“There is literally a job in insurance for any single person who has a tertiary qualification.”As the first in her family to obtain a formal qualification, Prue Willsford lives and breathes education. In this podcast Prue also discusses taking risks, backing yourself in and the part men can play in assisting women to develop their careers.

 “You’ve got to put yourself forward to take opportunities. You can’t sit back and wait for people to ask!”Shaun discusses the Authorised Representative landscape and what it took for him to transition from a global role with QBE to leading one of the most successful Authorised Representative groups in Australia. 

“I’m convinced in 5 to 10 years time, Blockchain (technology) is going to be very much a part of normal (insurance) transaction processes”Dallas Booth’s commitment to Australian Insurance Brokers has been exemplary. We discuss the future of Broking as well as new horizons such as BlockChain technology with Dallas on the eve of his departure from NIBA.

“Corporations don’t give back like your friends and family do. Looking after yourself makes you a better professional.”Having forged a successful career as CEO of a number of Insurance businesses, Gary Seymour is the epitome of consistent advancement due to education, diligence and hard work. His advice is sought by many Organisations which is evidenced by his seat on a number of Insurance Boards.