4 min read

Throwback Thursday: Accelerate Success…By Slowing Down For A Day

By Brock Squire on Jan 25, 2024 6:30:00 AM

Throwback Thursday: This blog was written in January 2020. Four years (and a pandemic) later, here I am getting ready for another Gibson State Of The Company meeting - this time with over 170 employees tuning in from offices in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Utah! It has been exciting to see these meetings evolve with our organization, but even if some of the elements have changed, the essentials are the same – we are paying close attention to the details to make this meeting a great experience for our people, employee recognition is a BIG part of the day, and we always try to have some fun!  

Earlier this month I attended my first Gibson State Of The Company (SOTC) meeting. All 140 Gibson employees gathered in South Bend for the day to reflect on the past 12 months and ignite our energy for the year ahead.

Topics: Executive
4 min read

Doing Better Work in 2024

By Nicole Fallowfield on Jan 11, 2024 6:30:00 AM

 

I have never been one for making New Year’s resolutions. In my experience, these grand promises we make to ourselves often prove to be more daunting than beneficial and are rarely sustainable beyond the first few weeks of the year, leading to feelings of failure.   

This year, I am taking a different approach. I’m focusing on gradual, consistent improvement—implementing small, manageable daily changes that allow me to do better work and commit to being excellent in what I do. 

Setting my focus on doing better work does not mean my current work isn’t great or impactful. It means I am setting a goal of sustainable excellence—and creating a system that allows me to support myself in reaching my greatest potential. 

Below are a few simple strategies I’m incorporating into my work routine in 2024. I encourage you to try integrating one, two, or all these habits into your work life, too. I am confident these little steps, taken consistently, will lead to big achievements over time. 

Topics: Executive
2 min read

Top 5 Blogs Of 2023

By Tim Leman on Dec 21, 2023 6:30:00 AM

We started our Gibson leadership blogs over 10 years ago – wow! I’ve especially enjoyed the unique collection of leadership thoughts, perspectives, and insights our guest bloggers have provided. I also want to thank our Gibson team for sharing their voices throughout the year – it was great to have so many of my fellow employee-owners featured in our posts!  

Let's celebrate our most popular blogs of 2023.  

Topics: Executive
4 min read

Top 5 Podcasts Of 2023

By Tim Leman on Dec 14, 2023 6:30:00 AM

What a year for The Edge Podcast! We recorded 21 episodes – featuring leaders from across the country and a vast array of industries and experiences. We even had a very special Mother’s Day edition featuring the one and only Ruth Leman.  

I learned so much from these guests and their journeys. They each have a unique edge in life and lessons to share. I hope you enjoyed listening to their stories!  

Let's celebrate our most popular podcast episodes of 2023.

Topics: Executive
3 min read

Ice Cream For Breakfast

By Courtney Montfort on Dec 7, 2023 6:30:00 AM


A tradition is born

To cap off the holiday chaos, our family celebrates a sweet tradition on Christmas morning that's far from ordinary – we eat ice cream for breakfast!  

This tradition started as a fluke in 2020. In an effort to make Christmas as special as possible after a year of chaos, I had planned on decadent cinnamon rolls that morning. I envisioned a Hallmark-worthy moment; the house smelling of cinnamon, kids tearing into presents followed by family time around the table with the kids devouring their treat. Turns out…my kids don’t like cinnamon rolls…at all. Desperate to save the moment, I said they could have whatever they wanted for breakfast. My then 7-year-old says “Even ice cream????” Why not! A year later, when we were preparing for Christmas, both kids reminded me about the AMAZING thing we did last year...ice cream for breakfast. A tradition was born.

Topics: Executive
2 min read

Throwback Thursday: For Whom The Bell Tolls

By Tim Leman on Nov 30, 2023 6:30:00 AM

Throwback Thursday: This 2015 blog shares important reminders for the holiday season. Take some time to listen - what bells are you hearing? 

You would be hard pressed to miss the sound of ringing bells this time of year. Church bells, sleigh bells, and of course Salvation Army bells all proclaim the joy and happiness of the Season. It makes me wonder – do we all hear the same bell?

Topics: Executive
1 min read

The Edge Podcast: Being A Connecting Superhero

By Gibson on Nov 16, 2023 6:30:00 AM

The purpose of my life is to be a connectingsuperherofor every Visionary who shares their stories with the world." - Justin Breen

Justin Breen, a self-described “dad who happens to be an entrepreneur,” joins host Tim Leman on The Edge Podcast. Justin is hyper-focused on connecting Visionaries – he has made it his life’s work. He and Tim also discuss the importance of family and how Justin strives to “win at the right game,” to always keep trying to be a better dad.     

Topics: Executive
1 min read

The Edge Podcast: Shaping The Future Of The Insurance Industry

By Gibson on Nov 9, 2023 6:30:00 AM

The equity and inclusion pieces are just as important to enable and empower diversity within the insurance industry." - Grace Grant

Grace Grant is Executive Director of Gamma Iota Sigma, a collegiate organization for students interested in insurance & risk management. Grace joins host Tim Leman on The Edge to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the industry and explore what students are looking for from internships & careers, as well as what makes for transformational teams and where she has found her edge.   

Topics: Executive
4 min read

Grateful For Togetherness

By Nikki Bicknell on Nov 2, 2023 6:30:00 AM

In the middle of my dining room table sits The Thankful Pumpkin. It sits there every fall. Next to it sits a Sharpie for our family to write things we are grateful for on it.  

The Thankful Pumpkin is one of my prized possessions. Why? It’s a reminder of what we’ve had to be thankful for, are thankful for, to be thankful for small and great things, the tangible and intangible, the seen and unseen.  

Topics: Executive
1 min read

The Edge Podcast: Advocating For Equity & Opportunity In Education

By Gibson on Oct 26, 2023 6:30:00 AM

It is critical as leaders that we have this human-centered design approach, that is always rooted in the community." - Stephanie Parra

Stephanie Parra is a trailblazer in Arizona. She joins host Tim Leman on The Edge to discuss the work her organization, ALL In Education, is doing to advocate for equity, opportunity, and justice for all students. Stephanie & Tim talk about the importance of a human-centered design approach, shifting the narrative & perspective, and what makes her team unique & impactful.   

Topics: Executive