EP 71 - From Numbers to People: An Actuary’s Journey to Leadership with Julia Lessing
Release Date: 04/16/2024
EP 82 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about the Loneliness of Leadership
Leadership Live
What if one of the greatest challenges in leadership isn’t decision-making or managing stress but loneliness? In this Unfiltered Series conversation, leadership experts Amy Riley and Daphna Horowitz get real about the isolation that often hides behind confidence and success. Even the most connected leaders can feel unseen when everyone’s looking to them for answers. Amy and Daphna explore how this quiet loneliness shows up at every level of leadership and why it’s not a flaw but a signal—a call to pause, reflect, and reconnect. They...
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EP 81 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Anger and What your fire is trying to tell you
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Anger and What your fire is trying to tell you In this episode of UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Anger and What your fire is trying to tell you, Daphna and her co-host explore the misunderstood emotion of anger, an experience many of us are taught to hide or downplay. Together, they unpack why anger is often labeled as “unprofessional” or “unproductive” and instead reframe it as a natural, informative and deeply human emotion. They discuss how anger can signal our values, highlight boundaries and even serve as a catalyst for...
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EP 80 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about The Cost of Being in Control
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about The Cost of Being in Control We all want to do things well — to be responsible, stay on top of it, make sure nothing slips through the cracks. But when does that turn into control? In this episode of UNFILTERED, Daphna Horowitz and Amy Riley get honest about the fine line between responsible leadership and the need to control everything. They unpack why leaders grip so tightly, what it costs in terms of energy, creativity, and trust, and how letting go can actually be a deeper form of wisdom. Join Daphna and Amy for a raw, relatable...
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EP 79 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Focus and Presence in a Distraction-Heavy World
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Focus and Presence in a Distraction-Heavy World In today’s world of endless notifications, overflowing inboxes and constant noise, focus and presence feel harder than ever to hold onto. In this episode of UNFILTERED Courageous Conversations about Focus and Presence in a Distraction-Heavy World, Daphna and Amy take an unflinching look at the cost of distraction from information overload (the equivalent of 16 movies a day!) to the hidden toll of multitasking. This isn’t about productivity hacks or quick fixes. It’s about courageous conversations....
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EP 78 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Grief and the Loss of Loved Ones
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Grief and the Loss of Loved Ones Grief isn’t neat, predictable, or something to “get over.” In this deeply moving episode of UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations, Daphna and Amy explore the raw, human side of grief. What it really feels like to lose someone, how society often rushes the grieving process, and why true healing begins with acknowledgment, not avoidance. From awkward condolences to moments of unexpected laughter, this episode invites listeners to embrace grief as a natural, messy, and profoundly human experience. Join...
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EP 77 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Being an Introvert in an Extroverted Workplace
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Being an Introvert in an Extroverted Workplace You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be a powerful leader. In this UNFILTERED episode, Daphna Horowitz and Amy Riley get real about what it means to be an introvert in an extroverted workplace. They unpack common misconceptions, explore how different energy styles show up at work, and reveal the quiet superpowers that make introverted leaders so effective. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to create space for deeper thinking, balanced conversations, and the brilliance that...
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Ep 76 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Menopause
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Menopause Is it hot in here, or is it… Menopause? In this powerful episode of UNFILTERED, Daphna and Amy crack open one of the most misunderstood and under-discussed life transitions: menopause. From brain fog to emotional turbulence, night sweats to shifting identities, they share their raw, personal experiences and invite you into a conversation that too often happens in whispers, or not at all. This isn’t about medical jargon or “grin and bear it” advice. It’s about real talk: how menopause shows up in our bodies, our moods, our...
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EP 75 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Morning Routines
Leadership Live
UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about Morning Routines Feel guilty for not joining the 5 am club? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. In the latest episode of the UNFILTERED Series, Daphna and Amy break down the myth that success has to start before sunrise. Explore why early wakeups aren’t a magic formula and how tuning into your natural energy leads to more focus, creativity, and confidence throughout the day. Morning routines aren’t about checking off boxes. They’re about anchoring yourself with what feels right for you. Whether it’s a cup of coffee in silence,...
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EP 74 UNFILTERED: Courageous Conversations about... Imposter Syndrome
Leadership Live
Ever feel like a fraud—even with all your achievements? You’re not alone. In this first episode of UNFILTERED, Daphna Horowitz and Amy Riley explore imposter syndrome: what it is, why it shows up, and how to move through it. Discover: The 5 types of imposter syndrome Why it hits women and minorities harder How to reframe self-doubt as a sign of growth Tools to name it, normalize it, and own your value Raw, real, and relatable—this is the conversation we all need to hear. 🎧 Listen now. Share with someone who needs it. Connect with Your Co-Hosts Daphna...
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EP 73 - Overcoming ego to maximise business growth and potential with Richard Parker
Leadership Live
Richard Parker, an expert in acquiring businesses, shares his journey of transforming business aspirations into reality. After facing a crossroad in his personal life, he realized the importance of making decisions based on uncertainty and the worst-case scenario. He emphasizes the value of buying a good business at a great price, rather than starting a risky startup. Richard also discusses the importance of humility and surrounding yourself with people who are smarter and more skilled. This episode offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. About the...
info_outlineTransitioning from being an expert to being a leader can be a challenging process for actuaries. Actuaries are known for their technical expertise and analytical skills, which they have honed through years of studying and passing exams. However, when they are promoted to leadership positions, they often struggle to step back from the technical work and trust others to handle it.
In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Julia Lessing, a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, Australia, and principal actuarial director of Guardian Actuarial, about building management and leadership skills that go beyond simply reading books or studying theory. Some of the insights shared are the need for actuaries to let go of control and trust their team members, as well as the importance of active listening and empathy in building strong relationships, the value of learning from mistakes, and the need for patience and flexibility in career progression. We show that leadership can be broken down into a set of micro-skills that can be learned, even when these skills don’t come about naturally.
About the guest:
Julia Lessing is a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, Australia, with 20 years of experience as a consulting actuary. She is also a certified organizational coach and an experienced counselor. Julia established Guardian Actuarial in 2015, where she is the principal actuarial director. She is passionate about fostering forward-thinking leaders in the actuarial industry and runs the Guardian Actuarial Leadership program to help actuaries build their management toolkits and leadership skills. Julia is a mother of four adult children and is actively involved in her community as a qualified counselor for Lifeline and an authorized foster carer.
Resources:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lessing/
Website: https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/
Guardian Actuarial Leadership Program: https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/ga-leadership-program
Podcast: https://www.guardianactuarial.com.au/podcast
Recommendations:
Book “Courage to Lead” by Daphna Horowitz on Amazon
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Lead-Leadership-Lessons-Kilimanjaro/dp/1920292284
Book “The Improbable Entrepreneur: A story about the other 99.9% of startups” by Ilan Leas
Link: https://www.amazon.com.au/Improbable-Entrepreneur-story-about-startups-ebook/dp/B09WCVWJTK
Watch full episodes of “Leadership Live” podcast on Youtube
Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/daphna1231
Timestamps:
3:40 The gap between technical skills and management skills
5:09 Importance of feedback in leadership
11:27 Challenges actuaries face when transitioning into leadership
13:00 We’re not taught how to manage people at “actuary school”
14:05 Mindset shift: stepping back and teaching junior team members
15:17 Building confidence and trusting people to learn from mistakes
19:45 Learning skills from general life experiences
24:48 Integration of leadership skills with actuarial expertise
26:14 Communication micro-skills
32:18 Careers are not linear
38:10 The importance of networking and building relationships
39:21 Two books: motivation and sparking resources for future development
42:03 Can AI take on the role of leadership?
45:10 Connect with Julia Lessing
Key Takeaways:
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Actuaries often struggle with transitioning from expert to leader, particularly in letting go of control and trusting their team members.
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Developing leadership skills requires active listening, empathy, and the ability to understand and connect with team members on an individual level.
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Actuaries should embrace the non-linear nature of their careers and be open to sideways steps or additional experiences that can broaden their skill set.
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Building strong relationships and networking with colleagues and industry professionals is crucial for career growth and advancement.
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Actuaries should apply the time value of money concept to their careers, understanding that progress and success take time and patience.
Get in touch with Daphna Horowitz:
Official website:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphnahorowitz/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/daphna1231
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/PEACSolutions/