My father was a Banker, including my close relatives, so pursuing a career in financial services seemed to be the right option in my mind. I started appearing for competitive exams and my career started with India's largest public sector insurance company, LIC as a direct recruit officer. I got tremendous exposure across various insurance functions during my stint with LIC and learnt the nuances of the insurance business there.
My approach at work has always centered on collaboration and this has helped me in accomplishment of business goals and also has enabled me to grow and evolve, both professionally and personally.
In the year 2000, the insurance sector opened up and I joined the private sector in life insurance continuing my journey of learning in the insurance business.
Quest for New Heights My professional journey traversed being part of 2 start -up MNC life insurance businesses in India. Cigna TTK Health Insurance is now my third start - up journey. Building a business from its infancy stage and creating a growth path for the company is fascinating. he start-up environment is challenging and demanding yet at the same time the learning and camaraderie that your experience is unmatched. I have been fortunate to get opportunities to move out of my comfort zone and explore new feats. In Cigna TTK while I joined as Chief Operating Officer, I quickly moved in to the Chief Distribution Officer role post launch. Being someone who has spent most of my career in the service delivery space, this was a different and hugely beneficial experience. The opportunity to lead teams across multiple facets of business functions such as Operations, Underwriting, and Distribution has contributed to my development and given me an immense sense of fulfillment.
Constantly Seeking Innovation At Cigna TTK, we look at innovation to set new benchmarks in the health insurance industry and provide the best for our customers. Our mission is to help the people we serve improve their health, well -being and sense of security. This to me very inspiring as there is so much we do to make health insurance more accessible to more and more people. Mentoring is also very close to my heart because I have personally experienced its benefits having worked for leaders who practiced it, and it a way of giving back to my profession which has given me so much. Also, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a team member achieve his or her potential.
To summarize, I can share few lessons that I have learnt along the way -
" Success is more or less dependent wholly on whom you work with and who you work for.
Therefore invest in your team, as an individual you can do only so much, but when you invest in a team, make it dynamic that's when you realize the sky is the limit.
" Leverage your strengths and don't camouflage it. Being authentic and forthright has helped me deal with difficult situations and has proved to be beneficial in the long run.
My Family: My Lifeline In my journey, my parents have been my greatest support and I I owe my success to them. I am happy that my wonderful daughters have chosen to follow their passion (one is studying medicine and one is a pastry chef) and have now donned the role of mothering me. (Life indeed comes full circle)
Reading is my hobby and it's been since childhood. I also like to travel to places which are rich in history.
BW Reporters
Naina Sood is a Economics graduate and has done her post graduation in International economics and Trade. She has deep interests in Indian economy and reforms
