From Nose to Tail, Protecting Our Client’s Pets!
Why Pet Insurance?
Dive into the world of pet insurance with our comprehensive course designed for industry professionals and aspiring agents. This course provides an in-depth exploration of pet insurance, equipping you with the knowledge to effectively guide pet owners and excel in your role as an agent.
This course is ideal for insurance agents, brokers, and anyone interested in gaining a professional edge in the pet insurance industry. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to expand your expertise, this course will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge.
Prepare to become a knowledgeable and trusted advisor in the growing field of pet insurance.
This course is available in both online and in-person formats, with flexible scheduling options to accommodate your needs. Expect engaging lectures, interactive discussions, and real-world case studies designed to deepen your understanding and enhance your practical skills.
Reach out to us at michael.koscielny@born2lead.net
Have You Ever Been Laid Off?
Layoffs Suck!
The insurance industry is resilient, surviving catastrophes, pandemics, and financial crises. It is pretty amazing!
Companies generally survive, but the outlook for industry professionals are often not rosy. A rash of layoffs have affected many insurance professionals.
After taking part in a very popular podcast and my article published in some well-known trade press on this subject prompted me to write this mini-book on how to survive layoffs.
As the victim of layoffs and being part of the team making those decisions, this is a roadmap to your survival.
Layoffs Suck! How to Survive a Layoff!
Book 2 is Now in Print and Available on Amazon.
Leadership is a selfless way of life; it is not a title, company car or a corner office!
Mike Koscielny
Lessons in Leadership
The goal is to be an effective, compassionate, and transformational leader. Leadership is found in the stories other leaders share with you and the stories you share with others, freely.
Available NOW on Amazon for the low price of $14.99!
"What Readers Say About Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership"
-Partick W
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
What do the little engine that could, insurance executives, and a Boy Scout Scoutmaster have in common? They all play into the prose of the book, “Born2Lead”, by Michael Koscielny, Jr.
Mike is a “retired” insurance executive. That might be a stretch since he retired to start his own company, write two books, teach insurance classes, become the president of SITE (Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators), and represent the college where he earned his MBA. Whatever you would call this act of Mike’s life, you have to call him an author. I’ve had his book sitting on my desk for too long, but since I finished it, I thought I would share my thoughts about it.
In full transparency, Mike is also an instructor with the Academy of Insurance and he will be teaching a session based on his book on June 27. You can register for that class here. I also consider him a mentor and friend. I believe that I’m giving his book a fair review, but I also must be open about our connection.
There is no shortage of leadership books available. Just search your favorite bookstore (online or in-person) and you’ll find more leadership books than you can handle, but you won’t find any that are more personal and relatable than this one. Mike tells us his life story, from his immigrant grandfather to his own failures and mistakes to the people who helped him get where he is today.
13 stories, 13 principles
Through the book, you will meet several people from Mike’s life, including the aforementioned grandfather, his father, a grade school teacher, and more. Each person taught Mike a life lesson that helped guide him for years to come.
One story that resonated with me had to do with sneaking a radio into school so that he could hear a World Series game for his beloved Cubs (we don’t hold that against him, though). The lesson he learned there was about taking responsibility and being responsible for his actions.
Born to be a leader or not
His basic premise is that leadership is a combined effort of the personality traits that a person is born with and begins to exhibit early in life and the training and development of certain talents and skills along the way. No one is a natural-born leader and anyone who wants to can be a leader.
I agree. I’ve seen too many people who didn’t seem to be natural-born leaders rise to their calling and become leaders who inspire others to action. I’ve also seen those who appear to be natural-born leaders fall apart under the hard circumstances that leaders can deal with. Leadership is like any skill that can be learned.
It’s worth the read
In the end, I would recommend this book to anyone in and out of the insurance industry. It’s not just an insurance people book, although, if you’re an insurance professional, I would recommend that you support one of our own. It’s an easy read and anyone who can set aside 10-15 minutes a day can finish it in a couple of weeks. If you’re a dedicated reader, you can probably finish it in an afternoon.
It’s a relatable read about a person who made mistakes but learned from them. He worked hard and made sacrifices, sometimes the wrong ones. In the end, he learned that leadership is simple and it’s really hard work. You can find some more of my notes on LinkedIn..
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
The lessons the author shares in his debut book are both timely and timeless. The stories spanned the author’s lifetime and were both personal and professional in nature.
Each lesson was beautifully illustrated by the examples the author has learned from, including schoolteachers, family members, friends, and colleagues.
The author uses humor and a realistic tone to share wisdom. Highly recommend Lessons in Leadership!!
- John M.
- Anonymous
- John M.
A marvellous little book on leadership and the behaviours and qualities which can be learned and practiced by anyone in their professional and personal lives to make you both a better leader, and by extension a true team member.
Mike writes in an engaging tone giving real life illustrations of what he means.
As Heather Blevins, who authored the Foreword to the book, states, Mike is unpretentious, kind and easy going and puts into practice the lessons he has learned in his long and distinguished career and is always willing to give of his time to bring on others in the journey to leadership.
I cannot recommend this book more highly!
- Greg G.
- Greg G.
- John M.
It's not often you get the chance to laugh your way to better leadership skills.
Mike is a skillful speaker and storyteller, and it shows in his writing. The late great Stephen Covey had an 8th Habit - Find your own voice and help others find theirs.
Mike has found his voice and does an excellent job helping others find theirs. Definitely a must read!
- bg
- Greg G.
- bg
I have read 1,000 of books (my goal every year is at least 1 book a week). I have reviewed 100's. This book on leadership offers 14 critical qualities that everybody who aspires to make a lasting impact on the world needs to know today.
Mike's storytelling gives the reader page turning excitement, needing to know what happens next. Through the stories, Mike offers the humanity that connects us all to his 14 leadership qualities based on his decades of real-life servant leadership experience and relationships.
Starting out learning about the nature of responsibility and the seeds of ethical leadership with his parochial education to a plethora of courageous examples where action in the face of fear was performed (all by women leaders by the way),
Mike takes those willing on an incredible journey of education. This was a book that I could not put down until I finished it and am a better leader for having read it, implementing each of the 14 qualities in my own way moving forward through the actionable steps Mike places at the end of each chapter.
eBook Special
Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership eBook $5.99
Take advantage of this low, low price! Save almost 25%.
Who is Michael Koscielny Jr ?
Author
Leadership Coach
Educator
Publishing my book, Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership, it is designed to unlock the power of leadership through the stories you share, and tap into the depths of your soul, humble yourself, and allow others to pour into your leadership journey as so many have done into mine.
Being surrounded by great leaders you can model is a proven method. The choice is yours and the commitment to reach this goal.
Check out his second book;
Layoffs Suck!
How to Survive a Layoff!
Educator
Leadership Coach
Educator
Mike is a Adjunct Professor for MBA programs at The University of Olivet.
Mike is a storyteller. Teaching through stories and coaching are just some of his superpowers, his openness and willingness to share makes him a "builder of leaders".
Mike is not only a leadership instructor, but he also conducts many technical insurance programs to help professionals remain relevant in an ever-changing insurance marketplace.
Leadership Coach
Leadership Coach
Leadership Coach
Mike’s goal is educating, developing, and mentoring emerging leaders in every industry for roles of greater responsibility. Sharing leadership skills through the stories in his life is a proven track record for success.
Sharing those stories helps young professionals bridge the gap as they prepare themselves not only technically but as future leaders.
Videos and Podcasts
In The Know - Mike Koscielny Born2Lead book interview
Listen to Mike describe the drivers behind this ground breaking book. Acclaimed on 3 continents!
Profiles in Risk with Tony Cañas, Insurance Nerd - Episode 462
Enjoy this interview with Tony about my professional journey and my new book Born2Lead: Lessons in leadership
awkward Insurance Podcast With Dustyne Bryant and Ashley Fitzsimmons
I share valuable insights on the challenges individuals might face as a result of layoffs within the insurance industry and significant roles in shaping organizational decisions. Illuminating the difficulties that industry professionals may encounter in their search for new opportunities amidst these uncertain times. Despite the current circumstances, job prospects within the insurance industry are still viable for those willing to adapt and seize them. This is a reminder of the importance of continued learning and growth, as well as the power of professional connections.
Aerial Imagery, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Property Insurance is a Game Changer!
I share some insights into how aerial imagery is revolutionizing property insurance underwriting pricing tactics.
Presentations
Lessons in Leadership
This is Mike's cornerstone presentation based on his book, Born2Lead: Lessons in Leadership. His belief that leadership is a learned behavior was born in 2016 and has been shared with audiences across the country and in Europe. Whether you are blessed with a leadership gene or learn how to lead by watching great leaders, his book and this presentation is a proven method that will help you navigate that journey.
The choice today is to step into being a leader or enhance your leadership skills. Follow this process, practice, accept feedback, improve, and succeed. The choice is yours and it starts today. We are all Born2Lead, are you ready to embrace it?
Book Mike for this in-person presentation today!
The Art of Ethical Negotiations
As professionals we commit to live by a high standard of ethics. We reaffirm that commitment every day and pledge to, strive at all times to live by the highest standards of professional conduct.
The art of negotiating is a skill used by many business professionals. Balancing the tenets of effective negotiating skills along with high ethical standards ensures that those outcomes truly benefit both parties. Most roles in industry require us to negotiate.
In this presentation we will identify what ethical interactions are required for all parties and contrast that with time proven negotiating skills, to ensure that the highest standards of professional conduct are met in every interaction.
Book Mike for this in-person presentation today!
Library of Presentations
Check Out These Subjects
- Limited Rationality and Cognitive Bias. Why Do We Overestimate Our Ethical Behavior? (2024)
- Picture This! Aerial Imagery in the Insurance Industry (In2Risk 2020 presentation and recently published article in Insights - Winter 2022)
- Post-Pandemic Playbook for the Remote and Hybrid Workforce! - (CPCU Society Webinar)
- Authentic Leadership - It Can Be Cultivated - (In2Risk presentation 2020)
- Effective Listening Skills - Become a Better Listener in My Professional and Personal Lives - (In2Risk Presentation 2021)
- Set Your GPS to Reach Your Personal Goals (CPCU Chapter presentation)
- Emerging Risks – A Risk Management Exercise in Homeowners Exposures to Cannabis (ready now)
- Critical Thinking Skills – Broadening Your Skills – (Chapter meetings 2021-2022)
Book Mike for one of these in-person presentation today!
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Questions or Comments?
For more information on fees and availability, send me a message. Tell me about your event, and I will get back to you soon with more information.
Born2Lead, LLC
P.O. Box 146 Cary, Illinois 60013, United States
810.599.8566 michael.koscielny@born2lead.net www.Born2Lead.net
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