Ideas come and ideas go. When I sit down and try to purposely concentrate on the best way or ways to develop a particular project or program, my mind goes blank. I just cannot figure it out; I toss and turn all night with what seems like great ideas; but in the morning – nothing. Ever have a night (or week) like that?

Google the phrase “business consultant” and more than 21 million hits pop up available for review. Granted some of these are descriptions of what a business consultant is from Wikipedia and other such sources, but the vast majority of possible sites are links to websites for actual business consultants. Further, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that management, scientific and technical consulting services is currently the fastest growing industry in America.

There are over 210 insurance and insurance-related designations available to property and casualty, life, health, benefits, actuarial and other financial service professionals. This list includes US, Canadian and European-based educational programs with each locale having its own designations and criteria.

Statutorily mandated insurance continuing education and a lack of commitment to insurance training have combined to trigger the end of the true insurance professional. To be considered a “professional” in today’s insurance environment requires only the completion of a pre-licensing class or training school and the ability to endure annual continuing education classes. Participants are not required to prove any learning occurred nor must they be able to apply the information; the sole requisite is to stay awake and feign attention for a certain number of hours. This does not a professional make.

A faulty belief can cause a serious crack in an otherwise solid leadership foundation. I find that many leaders who struggle to build influence and trust are operating with flawed beliefs about what it is to be a good leader, and these beliefs, or myths, get in the way of their success.