By: Olivia Schmitt
I recently read an article on Forbes.com in which Roger Martin, noted as a “top management thinker” was interviewed for the advice he would give people early on in their career. It was a quick read with a lot of great insight that I think could apply to different career stages. It also provided a reminder as to the thought process that a potential candidate may be going through when applying for a job.
The initial job selection process is still based on a desired or expected salary. Students looking for their first job may not be choosing a career based on something they are passionate about but rather focusing on compensation first. Martin encourages students also to consider the importance of continued learning stating,
It is much better when starting out to earn 20% less and have 20% better mentorship and guidance.
This idea of mentorship and guidance is so important that he mentions it again later in the article when asked about an overlooked factor in career success. When responding to this question, he says, “It is monumentally helpful to have someone choose to invest in making you better.”
It is critical for Millennials and Gen Z to recognize the value of having a mentor who is there to teach, listen, advise and encourage. The need for financial independence is real. However, if you want to continue growing and developing in your career, having a great mentor will pay off in multiples in the long run.
Insurance agencies need to put an emphasis on making sure new employees are matched up with a mentor. This task is often neglected when it should be a requirement and promoted as a huge value proposition for the new hire. For the agency owners and managers in the hiring process, remember what it was like starting out and how much you relied on that mentoring relationship. Take a moment to think about all the things that one individual taught you, which helped propel you forward in your career. Remember that feeling of knowing you had someone you could reach out to who you knew would help you through the struggles and celebrate your successes.
And understand, you always need a mentor. Those that have been in the insurance industry for more than a few years can attest to the fact that while you continually learn and grow, you will never know it all, nor can you solve every problem on your own. I have been fortunate enough to have several mentors over the last 15 years, and while the faces and relationships may have changed, I still call on these people. They are part of my support system when I need help with a difficult situation, and they are the first people to congratulate me as my career continues to evolve.
For more on this interview with Roger Martin, follow the link below. I think you will enjoy the wisdom he has to share.
What This Management Guru Says Is Essential For Your Early Career Success
About the Author
Justin Goodman has spent the past 20 years in insurance. He is the co-founder and CEO of Total CSR and co-founder and Managing Director of Project 55. By the age of 29, he was recognized as one of the top five construction insurance experts nationwide by Risk and Insurance Magazine. He also was named to Insurance Business Magazine’s Hot 100 and most recently the 2024 Insurance Journal Agent of the Year. Justin has trained over 50,000 CSR’s, account managers and producers through his work at Total CSR. He has a passion for developing the next generation of insurance professionals. When not with his family, he devotes his free time to speaking engagements and advising agency owners across the country.
