🌟Shane Burns🌟’s Post

Are you leading on the outside but feeling lost on the inside? You feel stuck in your leadership because you don't follow what you already sense deep inside. I understand this feeling. Years ago, I was stuck for far too long in a leadership position in the insurance industry. I worked in the fascinating area of art and monument insurance - a field I truly loved. I built teams from scratch, and we succeeded year after year. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. But inside, I felt something was off. I knew there had to be more to life. I felt I was meant for something greater. The reason I was stuck: I simply didn’t know what to do next. My mind kept telling me that if I could just figure out what I wanted, I’d take the next step. The reality is, if you spend 8 to 10 hours a day in a job that doesn’t fulfill your needs, it’s nearly impossible to move forward because you’re constantly running on empty. At the same time, 15 years in employment, I recognized that the way we worked was taking a toll on our health - both mentally and physically. And it wasn’t just affecting us; our private lives with family and friends were suffering too. I found myself paralyzed by indecision. Nothing moved forward. I was simply going through the motions day by day. Then one day, on a Friday in March 2017, a coincidence made the decision for me. My team and I had a major conflict with our management. That evening, I decided to quit my job. Looking back, this situation was a gift. It forced me to make a decision that was long overdue. I took a year off to figure out what I truly wanted. After an intense period of deep self-reflection and research, I founded my own company with a clear vision: To build a company I truly enjoy and love and to be in service with my unique qualities for my clients. Now, eight years later, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend quitting your job without a plan. It was the right step for me and for my vision, but it might not be the best approach for everyone. What I hope you take away from this is that if something feels off, it usually is. Trust your feelings. I hope you start following your vision. Sometimes your vision starts with "I want something different for my life!" And if you’re struggling to find the answer or take action, let’s connect. I’ve been where you are, and I know how transformative it can be to have someone who understands your journey. Together, we can explore how to move from where you are now to where you truly want to be.

5 years ago, I made a lateral move to a different role. 1 week later, I regretted the decision. By that point: I considered leaving insurance altogether. Which is even more puzzling because I had success: • Redefining teams. • Seeing my skills catapult.  • Solving high-exposure problems. • Building up an expertise, valued at a premium. I got so caught up in the hype of: • Bonuses. • Designations.  • Leadership praise. • Constant advancement. I missed the realization that: I was successful on paper –  But burnt out and miserable internally. I lost track of what was important to me: Balance and impact. • So, I tried to find what was right. • But I didn’t know where to turn. • Work was piling up to my ears. • Doubts came in large waves. • Questions left unanswered. Everything felt out of place. I attempted to adapt. But the uncertainty was always there. So, what does this mean for you? Well you might hear things like: → “Know your strengths.” → “Seek mentors for guidance.” → “Network more to open new doors.” Trust me, that’s good advice. But you also need to understand: → What are you moving toward? → Is your destination crystal clear? → Are you driving your career aligned? Because here’s the reality of it: You spend too much of your time working. You run the risk of wasting more and more time, When you move without purpose in your career. It took me years to realize what was missing,  And know how to get a role in the industry,  That checked off every one of my boxes. But once I did – everything fell into place. The same can happen for you. Remember: Your time is precious. Don’t sit in a role any longer unfulfilled. Align your career. Watch everything fall into place. P.S. Ready to find your aligned role in the next 30 days? DM me “Coverage” and I’ll send you the details. P.P.S. There are only 2 days left to take advantage of the exclusive bonuses I’m offering to the first 3 insurance professionals who get accepted into my program. Details are in the comments 👇🏽

As the New Year begins, it's a common time for self-reflection on our lives, careers, and the paths we're on. Many people choose to make significant changes during this period, while others decide to double down and forge ahead. There's no right or wrong—only decisions that shape the next chapter of our lives. Over the past five years, I've made quite a few changes myself. Some have been amazing and exceeded my expectations, while others have presented challenges that pushed me to grow more than I thought possible. Joining Ando Insurance has been one of the best decisions I've made. While the work aligns with my 35+ years in insurance, it's the environment that has made all the difference. I'm fortunate to work with leaders who cheer you on rather than just measure your performance, and who encourage innovation, creativity, and diversity of thought. If you're pondering or wrestling with tough decisions, instead of searching for the "perfect job," look for a great culture and a great working environment. Seek out an organization that will enhance you as a person, rather than just push you to do more. Look for people who set the pace, act with integrity, and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. Don't settle for second best—strive to be the best version of you. If you're struggling with that internal conversation, reach out to someone outside your usual circle for honest perspective. I did, and it helped me immensely. Now, I work for the type of organization I should have always been at, volunteer in my local community, serve on two not-for-profit boards, and continue to coach football for my local club. This isn't a "well done me" post, but rather a reflection on the importance of seeking honest feedback and different perspectives. Go and be the best version of yourself—you'll be surprised at just how great you can be.

Right now, this is my mentality and driving force. As a new commercial insurance agent, I wasn’t fortunate enough to inherit a book of business, nor did I have the resources to buy someone else’s book to use as a foundation. So, I’m creating my own opportunities. I’m cold calling companies daily, attending weekly networking events in San Antonio, and actively building my social media presence to establish myself as an expert in the industry. I know this won’t happen overnight—Rome wasn’t built in a day, as the saying goes. That’s why I’m committed to making intentional efforts toward my goals every single day. I’m also starting to understand why so many people leave the insurance industry as producers. This career isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for those who are self-motivated and relentless in their pursuit of success. And no, this isn’t me saying I’m ready to quit. Quite the opposite—I’m doubling down, working harder, and staying focused on creating my own path.

A Lesson in Rejection In the year 2005, Fresh out of my MBA, I landed my first job with a leading life insurance company; my role was to Recruit and Activate Agents. I was thrilled, especially with the promise of fast-track promotions. But after two months, reality hit hard: I was sitting at zero, unable to recruit a single agent. Doubt crept in. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this industry. I decided to quit. When I told my boss, he didn’t try to convince me otherwise. Instead, he requested: “Spend one day in the field with me before you quit.” I figured, why not? We started the day at a small stall, sharing masala tea and Bun-Maska. Together, we made five cold calls. By the end of the day, we had recruited my first agent, while two others had rejected us outright, and another two were in the pipeline. He challenged me at the office: “If you still want to quit, get 50 rejections, and I’ll relieve you that same day.” I created a tracker to count those rejections. But something incredible happened. Before I hit my 50th rejection, I had recruited ten agents. By the year’s end, five Agents had qualified for MDRT. Today, when I look back, I realize that my biggest life lesson is to WELCOME REJECTIONS.   Photo by Jakayla Toney on Unsplash

✨ 1 Year at Prudent Insurance Brokers Pvt Ltd.! ✨ A year ago, I walked through the doors at Prudent Insurance Brokers, unsure of what was ahead. Fast forward 365 days (375 actually), and I can confidently say it’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. From day one, I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the most talented, inspiring, and supportive colleagues, and I’m endlessly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. 🎯 Top 3 Lessons I’ve Learned This Year: 1. Embrace the challenging clients – The more sceptical the client, the stronger the relationship will be, once you gain their trust. 2. Collaboration is key – Associate with high achievers. Help people achieve what they want. Seek help to achieve what you want. 3. Never stop learning – It's a consulting industry. Make sure you're an expert in your products, and at the very least can still pitch other products. 💡 Key Highlights From My Year: • Completing BQP and Licentiate Certifications, thanks to a culture of learning fostered throughout Prudent. • Building relationships with some of the most brilliant minds of the industry. • Closing sales aggressively in all LOBs, both individually and in teams collaboratively. But this year wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible support from my team. To everyone at Prudent, thank you for pushing me, teaching me, and believing in me. 🙌 If you’re looking for a place where growth meets opportunity, where hard work is recognized, and where teamwork truly makes the dream work, let’s connect! Prudent is hiring, and I’d love to share more about why it’s such an amazing place to grow. 🚀 Here’s to more challenges, more coffee-fueled meetings, and more success in the year ahead! ☕💼 #WorkAnniversary #Grateful #Learning #OneYearAndCounting #Teamwork #GrowthMindset

This Summer I was grateful to get out and connect with more of our agency partners than I have in the past few years. When together, we celebrated recent achievements, discussed challenges facing them and the insurance industry, and shared future goals and new opportunities. Meeting with these partners in person got me thinking about the importance of connection. Connection isn’t just vital to our customers and clients, it’s crucial on every level. Since 2020, the way we connect has completely changed. We pivoted as a society and made great strides in cultivating connections, even virtually. Now that we have emerged from the bubble we were in, we are seeing what was truly missing from those experiences. There is a component of being face to face, shaking hands, collaborating over a shared meal that cannot be replicated in any other medium. In-person connection bridges the gap and facilitates strong business relationships, networking, and opens the door to opportunities, insights and connections that can directly lead to growth. In the insurance industry, relationships are the cornerstone of success, and cultivating those strong partnerships is an integral part of my role. The transition back to in-person connection has me feeling optimistic and excited for what the future holds. What have you noticed most since the transition back to in-person work? I would love to hear the wins and open the conversation in comments below.

ICYMI: Our President & CEO, Andy Doll, shared his observations about the vital importance of in-person connections, even in our ever-increasing virtual world. Read his post and let us know your thoughts.

It's Friday, but before the weekend starts, we want you to get to know Jennifer Perez! Jennifer is an account manager and we're thrilled to have her on team. Read below so you can get to know how amazing she is too! Years of Experience in insurance?  Over 10 years   What have your years of experience in insurance taught you? Being in the Insurance industry for over 10 years has taught me that you will learn something new with every account you manage, even when you have similar accounts.   What motivated you to make the jump to SIP? After meeting with Marco & Andy they talked to me about their growing agency, they both seem eager to grow not only their clients but their staff.    What is the most important part of your position? Assisting clients to get excellent customer service and helping them with all their insurance needs.   What do you do in your off time, hobbies? I enjoying going to the beach with my significant other.   What do you hope to accomplish with SIP? To be one of Sentry’s best account managers that can continue to grow with the team.   What is a little-known interesting fact about you? I have been in the insurance industry since I graduated from high school, I started at bottom as a receptionist and have moved my way to become a great account manager. #teamwork #appreciation #recognition #thankyou #grateful #companyculture

Ever had a huge life changing decision to make? 🤔 All of us have been there at some point in our lives. One of the most recent times involves my current role. I spent 10-years in the insurance industry: as an intern in college to revenue producer for my adult career, insurance was all I knew in the professional world. 🏟️  Ask me how to insure the Charlotte Hornets arena or Zoo Tampa? I got it. ⛽  Ask me how to structure a policy for an oil jobber? I got it. 🏥  Ask me how to build rapport with gatekeepers to get to the decision maker for medical malpractice insurance? I got it. 🏭 Ask me to build a go-to-market strategy for a manufacturing start-up in the building materials industry that achieves immediate results while building loyal customers and execute on it? Uhhhh… let me get back to you on that one…. Needless to say there was a lot of trepidation and self-doubt when this opportunity presented itself but I followed the same steps I do for all life-changing decisions: Step 1: Talk to my wife > Discussing how this will impact her, our kids, and our life from every angle (I’m a bit of a dreamer and she’s a realist). Step 2: Seek counsel > Talk to mentors and people who are 10/20/30 years ahead on a similar path to help you look around corners to provide clarity. Step 3: Listen to your internal voice > What’s it saying when it’s just you, in your quiet time, and alone in your thoughts, with no one else giving input except you? Step 4: Make a decision > Whether the answer is “yes” or “no,” move forward in confidence with a renewed vigor for the path you find yourself on. This has led to a renewed sense of self and clarity in decision making that I’ve never experienced before. There are struggles. However, staying true to my internal voice has led to immense personal freedom, knowing that I’m aligned with my purpose. If you find yourself faced with a life changing decision to make, why not give these steps a try? p.s. Happy decision making. p.p.s. If you haven’t already, check out Castlehill’s product lineup here - https://lnkd.in/exYmX8RT