Technical excellence is the foundation of actuarial work, but for many actuaries, there comes a point where technical skills alone are not enough to drive career growth. The actuaries who influence decisions, shape strategy, and advance into leadership roles have a skill outside of technical expertise, they have developed strategic influence. And learning how to connect your technical expertise to the bigger picture, and making sure your voice is heard is the foundation.
Why Technical Excellence Isn’t Enough Anymore
In most organizations, senior leaders assume that the technical work is correct. What they struggle with is:
- Understanding what the results mean
- Deciding what to do next
- Weighing trade-offs under uncertainty
If you only present calculations, someone else will be influencing those decisions. Strategic influence comes from helping leaders navigate uncertainty, not just measure it.
Shift From “What I Did” to “What It Means”
Many actuaries communicate in terms of process:
- “We ran the model with updated assumptions…”
- “The indicated rate change is 6.2%…”
Strategic communicators focus on implications:
- “At this rate level, profitability improves but market share likely declines”
- “The model suggests increased volatility under this scenario, which affects capital planning”
Ask yourself before every presentation, “If this were my decision, what would I want to know?”
Learn the Business, Not Just the Model
Strategic influence requires context. If you want to be part of the conversation, you need to understand:
- How your company makes money
- Key performance metrics leadership cares about
- Competitive pressures and regulatory constraints
- How different departments define “success”
You don’t have to have an MBA, but you do need to understand the language of your company. When you connect actuarial results to revenue, growth, or risk appetite, your input carries more weight.
Bring Options, Not Just Answers
One of the fastest ways to increase influence is to stop presenting a single result. Instead, frame decisions as choices:
- Option A: Lower risk, slower growth
- Option B: Higher upside, increased volatility
- Option C: Status quo with emerging downside risks
Offering multiple options shows you understand uncertainty and trade-off, and positions you as a strategic partner, not just a technician.
Develop Executive-Level Communication
Executives don’t want extensive details, they want clear communication of the necessary information. Think of your communication as being focused less on the detailed technical and more on:
- The takeaway
- The risk
- The recommendation
Clear, concise communication builds trust, and trust builds influence.
Speak Up Before You’re Asked
Influence is often built in informal moments:
- Asking a thoughtful question in a meeting
- Flagging a risk early
- Connecting dots others haven’t yet seen
You don’t need perfect certainty to contribute value. You need informed judgment and the confidence to share it.
Redefine What “Adding Value” Means
Early in their careers, actuaries add value by being accurate, and as they progress they add value by:
- Helping others make better decisions
- Clarifying uncertainty instead of hiding it
- Anticipating questions and risks before they surface
Strategic influence comes from being someone leaders rely on when the answer isn’t obvious.
Influence Is a Skill You Can Build
Moving beyond technical work doesn’t require changing who you are. It requires expanding how you think about your role.
Your expertise is powerful, but only if it’s understood, trusted, and applied. This year, focus on better conversations, because that’s where strategic influence begins.
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