“You earn your reputation by the things you do every day.” – Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas

A December 2016 Gallup poll asked respondents to rate the honesty and ethical standards of people in different fields. Insurance salespeople came in 20 out of 22, beating out car salespeople and members of Congress. No wonder prospective clients sometimes entertain a meeting with us under the guise of “just trying to keep my current agent honest.”

While the perception of the insurance industry may be near the bottom, it’s not like other sectors are getting glowing reviews. I decided to pose a few questions about “doing the right thing” on LinkedIn in a simple post and got thousands of views. This is clearly an issue that spans industries and professions.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Greg Downes, Chairman Emeritus at Gibson. We hope you enjoy Greg’s wisdom and perspective.

Recently I’ve been thinking about some memorable advice from an old and dear friend of mine, former Indiana Governor and Lt. Governor, and former South Bend Mayor, Joseph E. Kernan. I have always looked up to and respected him for many reasons, not the least of which is his leadership. The advice came in May 1998, when Joe, then the Lt. Governor, delivered the Commencement Address at the University of Notre Dame. 

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jeff Rea, President & CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. We hope you enjoy Jeff’s wisdom and perspective!

Harry Chapin was a great American singer-songwriter-story teller probably best known for his hit single “Cat’s in the Cradle.” I remember being introduced to Harry in 1970’s at the Joyce ACC on Notre Dame’s campus. I was so inspired by his stories that I rushed out and bought an 8-track tape of his Greatest Stories Live. Yes, I’m old, for you youngsters, that’s how we used to get our music! Harry died in 1981 at the age of 38 in a car accident.

Over the years, Harry’s music lived on and I amassed a collection of 8-tracks, cassette tapes, albums, and CDs that included both Harry’s music and many of his ramblings about “the meaning of life.”

“When it comes right down to it, the only point of differentiation left today is the customer experience itself,” wrote Bill Carmody in a 2016 Inc. magazine article. Are you able to define your client experience? It’s the product of the interaction between you and your clients over the duration of the relationship.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Kristen Strom, Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County. We hope you enjoy Kristen’s wisdom and perspective!

With the Boys & Girls Club recently moving through a period of transition, I’ve taken some time to reflect a bit on my leadership journey. In the short time I’ve been in the Executive Director role, my leadership acumen has been tested more times than I can count. However, each challenge or hurdle has come with a significant opportunity to learn and grow.

One of the leadership areas where I have seen personal growth is with the decision-making process.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Joe Calloway, author of “Keep It Simple,” “Magnetic,” and several other game-changing business books. We hope you enjoy Joe’s wisdom and perspective.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Karen Moscato. We hope you enjoy Karen’s wisdom and perspective.

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I - I hardly know, sir, just at present - at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.” --- Lewis Carroll Alice’s Adventures through the Looking Glass

Would you answer as Alice did?

In this world of constant change, we know who we are when we get up in the morning, but by evening we might have gone through several changes. Be it a loss of relationships, changes in home life, personal changes, work and financial changes, or many other issues. Thanks to technology, sometimes we receive multiple changes during the course of a day.

As you reflect on the year that was and the year ahead, how big of a role is luck playing in your life? We all know people who seem luckier than others. Maybe that describes you? Or maybe you’re on the other end, with a feeling that you’re always coming up a bit short.

Another year of blogging in the books! Thank you to all of the guest bloggers who shared their wisdom and perspective with us in 2016 - as you'll see from this list, our readers greatly enjoyed your blogs!

Here are the most popular #WhatsTheRisk blogs of 2016:

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Juliann Jankowski, Executive Director of Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka and Incoming Board President for National Association of Leadership Programs. We hope you enjoy Juliann’s wisdom and perspective!

As leaders, whether it be of a business, a community organization, or a family, it is imperative we realize the importance of truly putting the needs of others first. How can I help my employees do their jobs to the best of their ability? Am I listening to their needs and concerns? Am I adequately praising as well as providing coaching and feedback? Am I encouraging and supporting others to reach their full potential? Am I giving them opportunities to grow and develop? Am I making the difficult decisions I need to make for the good of the individual and of the organization?