Lekha Patel

WOMAN LEADER:

LEKHA PATEL, CIC

Agency: Starr Insurance Inc.

Location: Chambersburg, PA

Job title: Commercial Insurance Producer

Years in the industry: 5 1/2

How would you describe your leadership style?

My leadership style is to enable and empower. My mentors in insurance enabled me to learn the industry in my own way, seeking help when needed. That is one of the biggest reasons I am successful today.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of obtaining my CIC designation. Going through the program helped me learn many facets of insurance that I do not engage with daily. It also enabled me to navigate coverage questions and identify gaps for my clients. I strongly believe the more we know and the more comfortable we are with coverages, the more we can educate our clients. The CIC designation helped me gain confidence in my insurance knowledge, allowing me to be the best agent I can be to my clients.

What words of wisdom would you offer young women just beginning their insurance career?

Starting in the insurance industry can be very intimidating. You are constantly around colleagues who are more tenured with greater insurance knowledge and clients who are successful business owners/operators with more life experience. My biggest piece of advice would be to embrace that, rather than feel inadequate. I actively seek out knowledge from my colleagues, as well as clients, and take the opportunities to apply it to my career. I use every interaction as a learning experience and view every day as an opportunity to learn something new. Overcoming objections and establishing yourself in this industry does not come overnight. Continue to try your best and show up every day. It may take months or years, but one day you will reflect on how much you have grown.