Admired Leader Interview - Frank Doyle

Name

Frank Doyle

Title

Senior Vice President - Insurance Services

Company

AAA Northeast

Year Achieved CPCU

2001

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from Assumption College

Graduate Certificate from Harvard University

Chartered Life Underwriter

Number of years as leader

I have been a leader for as long as I can remember.

What are the top skills a leader needs to have? What’s the best way to build them?

Effective leaders must have a strong understanding of customer needs and expectations while also balancing the needs of the organization. Leaders need to act with a sense of urgency, especially when focusing on the customer. Leaders also need to understand and embrace the importance of leading by example. 

How do you build rapport or trust among a team?

Building rapport begins with meeting every new insurance employee as they start their career with AAA. This personalized approach helps provide a sense of who we are hiring and provides the opportunity to learn about each person, assess their engagement, discuss role responsibilities, and create a relationship from the beginning.

What’s the most rewarding part of being a leader?

The most rewarding part of being a leader is watching the growth and development of both employees and our organization. It is exciting to watch employees grow while helping to transform the organization to reach our goals and objectives.

While serving as a leader is rewarding, it can be tough. How do you stay fresh?

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

• Vince Lombardi

Ensuring proper rest by going to sleep on time helps prepare for the obstacles ahead. Taking time to step away for reflection is also helpful.

If you could go back in time, what piece of leadership advice would you give your younger self, before undertaking your first leadership role?

There are a lot of people you can learn from along the way. Taking the time to observe and learn from others is important for continued growth and development.