Through access to responsibility and consistent delivery, women in insurance can attain the leadership roles they were born to fill
Walk into most insurance firms and you will see women everywhere. They are at client service desks, they are handling claims, they are administering policies. They often keep everything running smoothly. But walk into the rooms where revenue decisions are made and business strategy is set, and the picture often shifts. Suddenly, the gap is very visible.
Women starting their insurance careers often work in vital operational support roles, with little to no business responsibility. Over time, this defines who is seen as leadership material, with the assumptions slowly seeping in that women are not the ones driving revenue and taking calculated risks to grow the business.
Over time, these patterns when repeated across departments and generations, can influence how women see themselves. “Too soft.” “Very organised, a natural administrator.” “Not business-minded.” If left unchecked, these assumptions can solidify the glass ceiling barriers.
My own career was shaped by consciously pushing back against those labels in my mind. My confidence didn’t come from a single title or achievement; it grew through consistent delivery over time. It grew from discipline and trust in my experience, from making decisions, taking responsibility and learning quickly when things didn’t go as planned. That trust in my own judgment gave me the foundation to open my own business.
At Consult, that perspective carries through into how we develop well-rounded advisers and leaders. The focus is on developing people who take responsibility for their clients, and we place a strong emphasis on decision-making, client understanding and long-term thinking.
Technical knowledge matters, but it is only part of the picture. For empowerment to truly shine through, it must show up in daily behaviour, not just policy documents. More women should be trusted with business responsibility. Mentorship should actively uplift women into opportunities for sales exposure, leadership discussions and strategic decision-making. They should be prepared for risk, not protected from it. Platitudes of encouragement should be replaced with practical lessons in resilience and problem-solving. Opportunities should be given based on capability and effort and not outdated notions of who is “the right fit”.
For women entering insurance today, my advice is simple: presence is powerful, but consistency more so. Ambition doesn’t mean you have to be the loudest one in the room, but you do have to be the most persistent. You have to show up. You have to persevere – through making the tough call, having the difficult conversations, stepping forward again and again, even after rejection. When someone tells you “You can’t,” look at connections you might have missed. Progress in this industry is not instant, but those who commit to steady development and disciplined execution build credibility that lasts.
Article By
Inanda Bezuidenhout
Franchise Principal
Consult by Momentum (Peak Sure)