Episode Summary
You've met Elisa Stampf before - and she's joining host Meg McKeen again, but this time to shine a light on the harassment she experienced as a woman working within the insurance industry, and how it's fueling the work she's doing to change to that experience for others.
In This Episode
Before we get started, know that this episode will address topics including harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
00:00 - 02:35 | Elisa Stampf joins host Meg McKeen in this episode. Elisa was a guest on the podcast in a previous season, but a lot has changed since our last conversation.
02:36 - 04:29 | Elisa has observed the experience of many women in the workplace and she found herself at a breaking point. Elisa shares her story of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. It's a tough - but necessary - listen.
04:30 - 10:08 | Elisa made a career pivot at the start of the pandemic. She decided to take a stand for someone she didn't even know and realized she could no longer be silent. She was alienated in the workplace, first in small ways, and then in others, much larger. She shares more about the physical and emotional effects of such a workplace culture - some of which we can't even see.
10:09 - 11:45 | Non-disclosure agreements are common - and can be damaging. They control a perception that behavior like this doesn't happen, or happens on a very limited basis. Elisa and Meg have a shared experience in hearing the stories of many women in the insurance industry, which highlights that we are not alone.
11:46 - 16:37 | Meg has challenged Elisa for the feasibility and practicality of the work she is doing - to change the system that has perpetuated these experiences. Meg has struggled to reconcile that many of the perpetrators of this behavior are well-respected in the industry - and some are even friends. How can seemingly good people not know - or are they being protected?
16:38 - 19:17 | Elisa unpacks the idea of "good" or "bad" people and how we respond in situations like we've described. The goal in addressing these instances isn't about punishment but rather understanding and atonement - and moving forward.
19:18 - 21:59 | So often we diminish the experience we've had - ranking it as it compares to others. This equates to devaluing - and often accepting - the experience we've had as somehow acceptable. Elisa challenges us to focus on the little things - the decisions we make every day that perpetuate the outcomes we're trying to change. Can we stop prioritizing profits over people?
22:00 - 25:59 | Elisa is channeling this desire for change into the work she is doing today through Insure Equality, focusing on the small changes that can make a great impact. She acknowledges that this work has been underway for years, and we are all qualified to be on the journey to make change together.
26:00 - 28:59 | Elisa encourages a culture where 1) there is safety in coming forward, 2) leadership takes these allegations seriously, 3) confidentiality will not be required, unless asked for by the victim, and 4) client and vendor partnerships won't be valued more highly than the well-being of their employees.
29:00 - 32:29 | Individuals can tell their stories - confidentially - to support this work, providing necessary research and data. A toolkit is also available to help champion this movement within organizations that may be reluctant to see the need for change. This collaborative effort is intended to shine a light on organizations - helping potential employees to see their ability to see their success there, too.
32:30 - 37:52 | Culture, equity, and inclusion are business priorities and this tool simply makes good business sense. A reminder that just because you can't see something doesn't mean it doesn't happen - we can choose to look away or we can choose to lean in.
37:53 - 40:50 | So many people are surviving - not thriving - working in the insurance industry today. Changing this is overwhelming - but necessary - and won't be perfect. And there is beauty in knowing we are still moving forward.
Visit Insure Equality to learn more and to share your story.
To learn more about the work Meg McKeen does to support insurance professionals visit Adjunct Advisors.
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