Tech, talent & partnerships: Reshaping the future of insurance

Today's customers expect speed, convenience, and personalized service—carriers with the right insurance technology deliver all three. As technology evolves and insurtech adoption grows, three important trends are taking shape when it comes to how insurers are thinking about their workforce and relationships.

First, insurers are investing in a tech-savvy workforce. Second, they are prioritizing strong leaders to drive tech initiatives and transformation across their organization. And third, carriers are empowering their teams to strengthen partnerships with tech vendors to reap long-term benefits in their tech investment.

Brains, tech skills and a dash of adaptability

As insurtech becomes more ingrained in the day-to-day work of insurance professionals, carriers will increasingly need to attract professionals who both understand insurance and who can leverage technology to drive growth, efficiency, and service.

But hiring for specific technical expertise alone isn't enough — especially because technology evolves so quickly. In an environment where tech is constantly transforming, companies need people who are open to learning, relearning and adapting.

Flexibility is especially important in the face of new and exciting advances. To harness the full benefit of solutions, carriers must prioritize human-centered skills: emotional intelligence (EQ), creativity, and the ability to empathize with clients, coworkers and partners.
Individuals who understand and can deploy new technologies — but who can also collaborate, communicate and think creatively — will become invaluable. Teams that can adopt new technologies while keeping a client-first mindset will be better equipped to innovate and improve how they deliver products and services. The real magic happens when you combine hard skills with human-centered soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and curiosity.

By focusing on both technical aptitude and soft skills, carriers can stay flexible and ready for whatever comes next — whether that's implementing new systems, improving processes, or simply finding smarter ways to work.

Next-generation leaders for next-level innovation
Staying ahead requires carriers to continually evaluate new technology and select solutions that offer the best potential for return on investment. But successful adoption requires more than just investment and a solid business case. Ultimately, it comes down to people – both the users and an organization's leaders. Effectively implementing a new solution takes leaders with emotional intelligence and change management skills to build future-ready teams, generate excitement, and drive use.

Change managers are those who welcome the potential of digital transformation and can help their teams see how that transformation will improve operations and better serve policyholders. This comes down to communication, before and after a solution is in place. Leaders need to engage their teams early, so they understand the "why" behind a technology need or decision. Proactive communication pays dividends in faster, more engaged adoption by users. And once a solution is in place, leaders need to listen to what's working and what's not, so that both employees and the organization can get the most out of their investment.

Finally, forward-thinking leaders create a culture of continuous learning and curiosity where employees are encouraged and rewarded to grow in their roles. Carriers that prioritize professional development and invest in their people will position their teams to adapt quickly as new technologies reshape insurance distribution.

Master technology partnerships, maximize growth
Even with the best employees and leaders, companies can't find technology success in a vacuum. InsurTech isn't just about adopting technology — it's about building partnerships that maximize its potential.

Today's employees need to work seamlessly with external vendors to manage their solutions. That will mean assigning dedicated people to manage partnerships, embedding technology talent across the business, and connecting tech professionals with internal insurance experts to enable carriers to bring new tools and new skills into focus.

By embracing partnerships and building the skills needed to manage them effectively, carriers can stay ahead of the curve, strengthen their portfolios, and create more meaningful connections across the industry.

As technological advances continue to allow carriers to become more efficient and effective, they must also continue to prioritize the people, processes, and organizational changes needed to leverage these new solutions. It's this powerful combination that will benefit partners, employees, and the customers they serve in the most impactful way.