Why Great Leaders Are Great - ePayPolicy
Great leaders are distinguished by their ability to think and encourage critical thinking, recognize and value their team members as people rather than just employees, and consistently expect and inspire higher performance, as highlighted in Simon Sinek’s TEDTalk and validated at the Applied Client Network Leadership Academy.
One of the most referenced speeches in the ePayPolicy office is Simon Sinek’s viral TEDTalk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” For almost a decade, people have been quoting this 18-minute video, making Sinek a household name, and asking the deceptively simple question: Why?
Why do we buy what we buy? Believe what we believe? Why do we respect and trust those who lead us?
Why are Great Leaders Great?
Earlier this week, I was in Charleston, S.C. at the Applied Client Network Leadership Academy and, after two very inspiring, very full days, my reasons Why were validated.
They Think Critically
Regardless of whether they’re in the business of selling dishwashers or diapers, great leaders strike a balance between thinking with both their head and heart. No decision is made entirely autonomously. A great leader has to have a good head on their shoulders, and approaching obstacles ready to roll up their sleeves and problem-solve alongside their team is imperative to success.
They Encourage Others to Think Critically
As the old adage goes, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.”
A leader will hone a skill. A great leader is great because they will hone a skill and teach & encourage others to do the same. They spread the wealth.
They See People, Not Employees
It takes manpower to run an organization. Without that power, all that’s left is someone with ideas, but not enough resources to execute those ideas. We all need a little help making our ambitions a reality, and that’s where team members come into the picture.
It’s important to see the people behind the work. Everyone wants to be valued. To be a great leader, one must give credit and recognition for the incredible things their team does. But, they must also see that their team is made of people. And people are more than the work they do.
They Expect More
We all have people in our lives that demand more from us. These people are constantly improving and expecting those around them to also improve. These are the types of great leaders that believe it is everyone’s job to grow and learn.
Gregory Shiple embodies this belief. His journey with Applied Systems, Inc. (the principal sponsor of Applied Client Network) began in 1986, when he was hired as a programmer. Today, 32 years and multiple positions later, Shiple is the Vice President of Support at Applied, with an astonishing 95% retention rate. When asked how he maintains such an impressive rate, Shiple’s answer was concise and simple:
“Retention is the responsibility of all teams,” he said, “not just one.”
They Stay Hungry (& Foolish)
Why do you think great leaders are great? Comment below or Tweet to us at @ePayPolicy on Twitter.
The Leadership Academy is Applied Client Network’s annual gathering of chapter officers. This exclusive event is an opportunity for officers to discuss leading practices, learn about industry tools and resources, and network and exchange information with peers.
ePayPolicy is an electronic payment processor made by insurance professionals, for insurance professionals. They enable insurance agents and brokers to accept credit card and ACH payments while passing on transaction fees to the insured. To learn more about ePayPolicy, visit ePayPolicy or schedule a demo today.
Related
The World’s Largest Gathering of Insurance Pros - ePayPolicy
The Applied Net Conference, held October 14–19 at the Aria in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest gathering of insurance professionals featuring over 240 educational sessions, 100+ industry leaders including ePayPolicy as a major sponsor, and 4,000+ attendees, offering extensive networking, learning, and innovation opportunities for agents, brokers, and experts to optimize management systems and embrace digital transformation.
ePayPolicy Integrations Overview
ePayPolicy offers integrations with numerous popular insurance management and accounting systems such as AMS360, Applied Epic, Nexsure, and NowCerts, with a complete list available on their website.
Referral Partners - ePayPolicy
ePayPolicy offers seamless integrations with leading insurance platforms like Applied and NowCerts to automate electronic payment syncing, improve security, and reduce manual tasks, supported by positive user testimonials and opportunities to become a referral partner.
Comparison: ePayPolicy vs. Applied Pay -
This comparison highlights that while both ePayPolicy and Applied Pay are leading insurance agency payment platforms designed to streamline premium collection and reconciliation, ePayPolicy offers a versatile, open solution compatible with any agency management system, whereas Applied Pay is a built-in, single-vendor tool exclusive to the Applied Systems environment, providing seamless integration and real-time ledger updates within that specific AMS.
How Libke Insurance Stays Ahead of the Digital Curve
Libke Insurance Associates, led by Agency Principal Jeff Rounds, transitioned from Simply Easier Payments to ePayPolicy in 2017 after thorough research, valuing ePayPolicy’s professional, branded payment pages and user-friendly portal as key tools to enhance client convenience and differentiate their agency during its national expansion.
Referral Partners - ePayPolicy
ePayPolicy offers referral partnerships with industry-leading insurance platforms like Applied, enabling automatic syncing of electronic payments into systems such as EPIC and TAM to automate work, improve security, and reduce manual tasks, while receiving positive testimonials from insurance agents praising its ease of use, efficiency, and cost savings.