I recently attended the United Way Power Women’s breakfast as the guest of Cindy O’Connell, a great Floridian with a long history of public service. American sports personality Lesley Visser was the keynote, and she shared how she pushed past boundaries and challenges to enter the field of sports journalism.
When she was 10 years old, she told her mom she wanted to be a sportscaster, and instead of her mom encouraging her to be a teacher or nurse, which are honorable professions, her mom said “Sometimes you have to cross when the sign says don’t walk.”
As I reflect on the challenges of one of the most incredible industries I have the privilege to serve – emergency management and property insurance – I am often asked how I handle the pressure of convincing public policymakers about what is best for homeowners who rely on these industries, pre-and post-disaster. I didn’t really think about it until this week, when Lesley Visser ended her remarks with this story.
She was interviewing Billy Jean King, probably one of America’s most winning tennis players, and she asked, “Billy Jean, how do handle the pressure of always being in final match competitions at Wimbledon?” And Billy Jean answered, “Are you kidding me? Pressure is a privilege!”
Saluting all of my readers and I am privileged and blessed to work with each of you. Up next, recent news of note in insurance, disaster management, environment & engineering, and health.
