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The Necessity of Spring- Cleaning Our Relationships
Insight From All Pro Dad
I ’m on the mailing list for All Pro Dad, a website founded in part by Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Super Bowl- winning 2006 Indianapolis Colts. Every morning, I receive the “Play of the Day,” a small article that always comes with some advice for fathers and husbands on how to improve their lives and strengthen their relationships. A few weeks back, I received one of these blogs that really stuck with me. Titled “5 Ways to Spring- Clean Your Marriage,” its sentiments seemed like the perfect accompaniment to the spring-cleaning theme I’ve been talking about these past couple of months. Now, I’ll be the first to tell you I’m no expert on relationships. I’ve had more than my share of struggles with loved ones in the past, and I’m not about to pontificate any advice of my own on this subject. But I thought that what I found helpful in the article might be helpful to a few other busy folks out there, too. According to the author, there are five prime issues that lead to marriages falling apart: 1. lingering resentments that fester and poison loved ones against each other; 2. differing visions for the future of the partnership; 3. neglect; 4. unhealthy
the marriage, this isn’t always easy — there are times when I feel like I’m being punished for my wife’s ex-husband’s mistakes, and vice versa. But with this awareness in mind, we’ve always been able to work through it and try to focus on the here and now, together, rather than dwelling on the past. There are always going to be curveballs along the path, and we’ve definitely had a few along the way, but I can confidently say that Jennifer and I have always been on the same page. In the past couple of years, we’ve made a point to try to get away together at least once a quarter, to unwind and discuss issues just like the ones the author outlines in the blog. After all, a marriage is a lot like a business: If you hang a couple of lofty value statements on the wall but never talk about them again, they probably mean nothing. I think you have to follow up, keep the communication going, and continuously move forward, side by side. I feel like, especially with business people like us, it’s easy to get lost in the go-go-go mentality. I’ve certainly been in a place where I’ve won in business but lost in my relationships, and when that happens, I count it as ultimately just a loss. As everyone knows, marriage isn’t a cakewalk, and like I said, I’m no expert. But with a little intention and a healthy dose of practical insight, like this article from All Pro Dad, hopefully we can all strengthen the most important relationship in our lives.
friendships getting in the way; and 4. slippage in each individual’s definition of long-term happiness. Each of these, he argues, are things we should sit down and talk out with our spouses — and regularly. I was especially struck by the first two considerations: lingering resentments and different visions for the future. This is neither Jennifer’s nor my first marriage, and it came with a unique set of challenges, especially when blending our families together. We dated for three years before we decided to get married, and one of the first things we did was make sure that we were nailing down our collective goals for our families. What did we want the future to look like? While we certainly didn’t agree on every single detail, it was essential that we were on the same page from the start, especially when the kids became involved. Both of our ex-spouses have struggled to really be there for our children, and we knew from the start that in our relationship, we needed to put their needs first. We also had to ensure that, though we were both coming from previous marriages, we didn’t carry the lingering resentments of past relationships into our new life together. Even seven years into
There are always going to be curveballs along the path, and we definitely had a few along the way, but I can confidently say that Jennifer and I have always been on the same page.”
–Brad Johnson
President, Risk Services of AR Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries. • www.insurica.com • 1
Meet Michael Banks
The Curse of the Ungrateful Employee
Why You’re Experiencing Churn Instead of Gratitude
No matter how much someone loves their job, at the end of the day, most people come to work to get a paycheck. But providing steady income to your employees doesn’t mean they will automatically feel appreciated and stick around, and it shouldn’t! If you’re struggling with employee churn and an unhappy workplace, it’s time to look at how you can create a culture of gratitude. Be a Leader If you want to cultivate a culture of gratitude, you need to lead the charge. This doesn’t have to be a big production; a quick, genuine “thank you” when you’re passing through the break room can go a long way. A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that when leaders expressed gratitude to their employees, those employees were 50 percent more successful. Plus, employees that feel appreciated tend to have a higher degree of job satisfaction, which is crucial for longevity. Keep Compensation and Benefits Current Offering good benefits shows employees you’re invested in their overall health and futures. If you find yourself losing good employees to your competition, it might be time to look at what they offer that you don’t. Are you paying employees a fair wage for their work — or better? Do the benefits go beyond the legally required minimum? Are they the kinds of benefits your employees actually want and need? Having a reputation for offering the best benefits in your area will attract quality employees and make your current employees feel valued, keeping them from seeking greener pastures. Prioritize Respect Respect is one of the top three things employees look for in the workplace. In fact, a 2012 survey of social workers found that a lack of respect is a large contributing factor of voluntary turnover. Paul Marciano, organizational psychologist and author of “Carrots and Sticks Don’t Work,” outlines a few critical ways managers can show respect. • Equip employees with the tools they need to be successful. • Set clear expectations and hold employees accountable. • Practice thoughtfulness, empathy, and kindness. • Trust in your employees’ abilities — don’t micromanage. Employee happiness doesn’t have to come at the cost of company profit — just look at Salesforce! This global CRM leader was voted the No. 1 spot on Forbes “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in 2018. More often than not, happiness translates to overall success. Look around and see how you can start building a culture of gratitude and happiness at your own company.
At Risk Services/Insurica, we don’t want to be an obstacle in our client’s daily routine. Instead, we aim to empower them to run their business with peace of mind, knowing that we’ve got their back.
This is why, for Risk Services/Insurica producer Michael Banks, the best part of the entire job is “being there on claim day.”
“Saving my clients money is important, sure,” he says, “But what’s really rewarding is when something happens and we’re able to make them whole again.” He’s heard all the industry horror stories of rejected claims and endless legal battles, so he relishes any opportunity to truly be there for the people he serves. Michael has a background that gives him unique insight into his client’s needs and concerns. Before he joined the Risk Services/ Insurica team in 2017, Michael worked as a crane operator for the oil and gas industry. There, he developed an appreciation for the necessity of effective risk management. “There’s a lot of uncertainty when you’re dangling 50 tons of equipment over five human lives,” he says, “It’s the kind of place where you definitely want to have your T’s crossed and your I’s dotted.” As for his approach to the industry, Michael calls himself a natural contrarian. “I try to do the exact opposite of what the competition does,” he says. Instead of touting all the bells and whistles, he prefers “to show clients their exclusions,” what they’re not getting. “Transparency is a big thing for me. It’s why I list myself as ‘the most genuine guy this side of the Mississippi’ on my LinkedIn profile. Of course, that depends which side of the river you’re on ...” Outside of the office, Michael has his hands full with spending time with his wife and his 2-month-old and 2-year-old daughters. He jokes that their newborn is a “precious little angel,” but the 2-year-old is “a viper in a diaper.” When he can convince his older daughter to tag along in the golf cart, he likes to hit the links and feed a few ducks along the way. Michael certainly is as real as they come, and we’re lucky to have him on our team. Though he hasn’t been here long, we look forward to what’s sure to be a long and storied career at Risk Services/Insurica!
2 • www.insurica.com • Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries.
How to Stay Safe During a Flood
BE PREPARED, AND KNOW THE RISKS
2. When flooding starts, get to higher ground fast. This may seem obvious, but many lives have been lost trying to navigate flooded areas, or in circumstances where folks just couldn’t predict how fast the water would rise. Conditions can change faster than you think, so plan accordingly. 3. You should never mess with rushing water. As previously stated, you may feel safe in a car, but you’d be amazed how quickly things can turn bad when you try to push through a stream of debris- clogged floodwater. 4. Don’t leave the power running. If a flood gets serious and you need to evacuate, make sure to switch off the power and close the gas lines. 5. Standing floodwater is nearly as dangerous as rushing water. After the storm passes, there may be pools of water all over the place. Stay away from these, as they can carry infectious diseases or cause chemical hazards and injury.
When considering big risks to your business, your employees, and even your families, flooding tends to get overlooked. For most folks outside of the hurricane belt, flooding can seem like one of those disasters that exists in the abstract — a crisis
that strikes other people, in other places. But make no mistake: Flooding is a serious risk across the United States, and it claims a shocking number of lives. With this in mind, it’s important to be prepared. Here are a few key things to keep in mind in the event of a flood. 1. Moving water is stronger than you think. It only takes 6 inches of rushing water to knock down an adult, and a mere 2 feet can start carrying away vehicles. When flooding occurs, it’s difficult to tell the depth of the water, so don’t chance it. If you come across a flooded road, just turn around.
Sudoku
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Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries. • www.insurica.com • 3
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INSIDE This Issue Brad Johnson Spring-Cleans His Marriage page 1 How to Cultivate a Culture of Gratitude Why Michael Banks Looks Forward to Claim Day page 2 Stay Safe During a Flood Sudoku page 3 How Being Open to Growth Leads to Success page 4
The Power of ‘Mindset’ How Being Open to Growth Leads to Success
If you’ve ever said “I’m just not good at math” or “I’m not a natural leader,” you’ve fallen into the fixed mindset trap. If you believe there’s nothing you can do to change your circumstances, you’ll never strive to improve them. The same is true of positive fixed opinions of yourself. Dr. Dweck points out that those who believe themselves to be “a great boss” or “an amazing athlete” are also doing themselves a disservice. Once you think your skills are tied to who you are as a person, you’ll avoid challenging them for fear they might be found wanting. This leads your talents to atrophy as you seek detours rather than facing challenges head-on. Dr. Dweck argues that, instead of falling victim to the pessimism and self-delusion that defines fixed mindset thinking, we need to recognize that the path to success lies in open-minded perseverance. “A person’s true potential is unknown (and unknowable),” she says. “It’s impossible to foresee what can be accomplished with years of passion, toil, and training.” Not only does “Mindset” drive this point home with well- documented experiments and studies, but it also provides a workshop to help people break free of their fixed mindset and find success.
For decades, Dr. Carol S. Dweck studied the phenomena of success. How is it that some people are able to grow their business, stay fit, or achieve their personal goals while others in similar situations stall out? “Mindset” is Dr. Dweck’s
answer to this question. Subtitled “The New Psychology of Success,” this book chronicles the Stanford psychologist’s findings, which suggest an inseparable link between belief and achievement. According to Dr. Dweck, people tend to think about the challenges in front of them in one of two ways. They either have a “fixed” mindset — believing that their talents and abilities are static, intrinsic properties of who they are — or a “growth” mindset — believing they can improve every aspect of themselves with practice and perseverance. Those who approach life’s hurdles as an opportunity for growth are the ones who find long-term success.
4 • www.insurica.com • Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries.
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