Insurance Business Review LATAMSEPTEMBER 20258IN MY OPINIONLEADING THROUGH THE SEASONS OF LIFEBy Shari Starkey, Vice President, Claims, CorVel CorporationWhen I first became a leader, I never considered how involved I would be in other people's lives. I would come to work, prepare workflows for people, and give them the flexibility to function in work and life; we would all do our jobs and go home happy. That view of leadership was naive. As I got to know my team, I heard about family issues, personal joys, work frustrations, and stress. I quickly realized everyone I worked with was in a different season of life. After recognizing how consuming empathy could be, I sought to become an empathetic leader who helps people navigate life's challenges while maintaining my joy.Reflecting on my team's various life seasons, I often felt unequipped to address their issues, like moving a parent into a nursing home or processing the death of a family member. I realized my role was to provide a fair work environment where they had the space to balance personal and professional lives. Work often relieves personal challenges, and personal life can ease work stress; they are intertwined and equally important.To effectively lead my team, I learned that I must first lead myself exceptionally well. While teaching a class on John Maxwell's book, The 360 Degree Leader, I recognized that leading myself is the foundation of good leadership. I worked hard to show my team that I was in Shari Starkey is Vice President of Claims at CorVel, bringing over 18 years of claims industry experience. Since joining in 2014, she has advanced from Claims Supervisor to her current role, overseeing operations across seven jurisdictions. Shari is dedicated to team development and achieving high-quality outcomes, emphasizing mentorship and process-driven leadership.Through this article, Shari Starkey reflects on her journey as a leader, emphasizing the importance of empathy in supporting team members through personal challenges. She discusses strategies for fostering resilience, creating a supportive work environment, and balancing personal and professional life. Shari also highlights the role of leadership in facilitating growth and resource access for her team.Shari Starkey
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