Today is my last day at Chubb. I have never been one to write a post on LinkedIn about my thoughts but I felt very inspired to do so by some of my former colleagues and LinkedIn friends.
After 12 good years at Chubb (with a few yrs break from Chubb/Ace in between), it was time to say goodbye. It was truly an honor to be working and learning alongside a large group of talented, supportive, world class professionals! I am going to miss each and every one of you.
I’ve been very grateful for the experiences, growth, opportunities and relationships (internally and externally) I’ve built at Chubb. Along the way I have learned a few meaningful lessons that I will be taking with me and I want to share them with you:
1. Know and set your boundaries. I once managed a team member who first told me when I first joined the team “when I’m here I do my work but after 5/6pm, I am off the clock and have other priorities to focus on”. I was taken back by that msg, not because it was so bold of the Underwriter, but because it taught me that I too should set some boundaries. It is ok to say no sometimes, set expectations. ie “I have to shut down at x time to attend to my kids”… or “I cannot travel for this time period because of x,y x”. While some of these comments pertains to those who are parents, this lesson also applies to those who are single, married without kids or have spouses/partners, because you may have family, friends (who you are the caregiver) or other priorities to attend to. You are always replaceable as an employee but you are not replaceable at home or in your family. This is the only way to self discipline yourself for work life balance.
2. Know your audience. Regardless of your position or the message you want to deliver, you need to know who you are speaking to and how will they perceive or comprehend your message best and effectively. You want to deliver it in the most effective way without getting yourself in a rabbit hole, then trying to dig yourself out… not being too wordy or too short. Should you start off the conversation with ice breakers because the individual you are speaking to likes to chit chat first? Or just be objective and direct right from the start. It is truly an art. It is a craftsmanship of an excellent communicator. Constant cadence of communication- never a bad idea to over communicate with your internal or external stakeholders.
3. Have a strong support system, mentor and a champion. You want to make sure you are surrounded by those who support you, sympathize and empathize as well as be your biggest cheerleader and advocate. From Day 1, I could not have achieved so much without my two biggest champions, Scott Conrad and Katelyn Lay. It was their mentorship, guidance and support that brought me to who I am today and the successes I’ve had at Chubb. So thank you so much for all you’ve done! I am forever grateful for you!
To my Chubb team and colleagues this is a See you later! See you on the other side!
Sr. Underwriter, Custom Solutions at Chubb
5moGreat place to work!!