As the insurance industry faces an urgent leadership challenge that threatens institutional knowledge retention and competitive advantage, our recent Datos Insights Women’s Network open meeting revealed systemic barriers that prevent high-potential female executives from reaching their full impact. If left unaddressed, these barriers risk diminishing the industry’s ability to navigate mounting business pressures.
On the topic of How to Avoid Being Your Own Worst Enemy at Work, the candid discussion revealed three common patterns that hold women back in the insurance and technology sectors. Our panel included Traci Ducceschi (Director at Penn National Insurance), Shilynn Francisco (VP at Farm Bureau Insurance Company of Idaho), Kelley Lamont-Kinney (Director at MMG Insurance), Meredith Barnes-Cook (Senior Principal at Datos Insights) and Martina Conlon (Datos Fellow at Datos Insights), who offered practical strategies for overcoming these internal barriers.
The Authenticity Balancing Act: Being Yourself While Navigating Corporate Expectations
Societal norms often pressure women to fit into predetermined molds—being kind and friendly—which can create internal conflict when decisive leadership is required. The discussion revealed that many women struggle with feedback suggesting they should “tone down” their approach in meetings. However, the panelists emphasized that being authentic doesn’t mean being unprofessional. Knowing your audience is crucial, but you can still inject your personality into professional interactions.
The panel noted that women often fear being labeled as aggressive when they’re simply being assertive or efficient. This fear can lead to second-guessing natural leadership instincts. The solution, according to the discussion, lies in understanding that you can adapt your communication style to different situations while remaining true to your core values and personality. The panelists encouraged women to resist the urge to completely reshape themselves to fit others’ expectations, as this approach is both exhausting and ultimately counterproductive.
The Self-Promotion Deficiency: The Hidden Career Accelerator Insurance Leaders Miss
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the challenge of self-promotion—a critical career skill that many women find uncomfortable. Survey data presented during the webinar showed that while most respondents rated themselves as somewhat comfortable with self-promotion, notably, no one rated themselves as completely comfortable with highlighting their accomplishments.
The panel offered several practical strategies for overcoming this discomfort. They suggested treating self-advocacy as a process rather than a one-off boast, incorporating accomplishments into regular one-on-one meetings with supervisors. The discussion also highlighted the importance of documenting achievements throughout the year rather than scrambling to remember them during performance reviews.
One particularly valuable insight was the recommendation to practice self-promotion out loud. The panelists noted that in client-facing roles, professionals must regularly share their accomplishments to establish credibility, and this same skill should be applied internally. They emphasized that sharing your value isn’t bragging—it’s providing necessary information for decision-makers who may not be aware of your full contributions.
The conversation also touched on the power of forwarding positive feedback from clients or colleagues to supervisors, which allows for accomplishment-sharing in a more comfortable, third-party validated format.
Work-Life Integration: The Ongoing Challenge That Shapes Career Trajectories
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant discussion point was work-life balance and its significant impact on women’s career trajectories. Survey data showed this as the top factor influencing women’s career paths, and the panel’s personal experiences reinforced this finding.
The discussion revealed how many successful women strategically pivot careers to accommodate family responsibilities, often moving from consulting or travel-heavy roles to more stable insurance company positions. Importantly, the panel reframed these decisions not as career sacrifices, but as strategic choices that often led to unexpected opportunities and growth.
Post-COVID remote work environments have introduced additional complexity. While working from home can offer more family flexibility, it also creates new challenges around boundary-setting and the temptation to be “always on.” The panel emphasized the importance of creating clear boundaries and not apologizing for prioritizing family commitments.
One panelist’s reflection particularly stood out: the recognition that at the end of the day, family should be the priority, and that successful professionals shouldn’t apologize for making family-first decisions. This perspective encouraged others to view work-life integration not as a weakness or limitation, but as a healthy approach to building a sustainable career.
Moving Forward: Practical Steps for Professional Growth
These challenges represent systemic issues requiring both individual strategies and organizational transformation. Women in insurance must embrace authenticity while adapting communication approaches, create structured approaches to self-advocacy, and make intentional work-life integration decisions that support sustainable career growth.
Our next Datos Insights Women’s Network virtual meeting is on Wednesday, September 24th. For more information on the Women’s Network and how to join, please visit our website.