Aflac Voices — Andy Glaub: We Will
By Andy Glaub, senior vice president, U.S. Sales Distribution
Originally published on Aflac Newsroom
Last year, I stood onstage in Atlanta before an audience of 1,000 producers. I talked about my mindset for the upcoming year: “We will.” It was meant to be a rallying cry. But it’s also a mantra that has been with me my entire career.
I’ve had many moments to embrace an attitude of “I will.” Consider a sales call or the opportunity to become an Assistant Director of Sales – a role that quickly turned into a Director of Sales position. This meant moving from a sales quota of $40 million to over $1 billion. During this time, I was prepared for a personal six-month evolution, not a 16-day revolution. No pressure there.
I could have easily stayed in my comfort zone. I’d found success where I was and was content. But, I wanted to do more. Instead of retreating, I stepped into the unknown. It helped to know I wasn’t alone. I had several leaders – Dan Amos, Teresa White, and Mike Tomlinson – and my wife, who believed in me. They helped me to step into the role with a “We will” attitude. It has served me well.
Having a positive outlook is a choice. Here are my tips for turning “I’m not sure” into “We will”:
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Reframe your thinking. Don’t give in to thoughts that suggest you may not have what it takes to succeed. Instead, flip that into an affirmative statement with your definition of success: “I will achieve _____.” Take time to jot down three things you’re grateful for – gratitude prevents negative thoughts. Do this every day.
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Take action. Don’t let fear prevent you from taking chances. Challenge that instinct, take that first step, and keep going. Taking action opens up possibilities for personal and professional growth.
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Don’t be afraid to try again. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things don’t turn out as planned. Take time to assess the situation, learn from it, and make adjustments. Coming up short doesn’t equal failure. Trying again demonstrates tenacity.
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Build a personal board of directors. A strong support system or “personal board of directors” gives you a team of friends and colleagues to lean on.
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Commit to giving back. Giving back is an important part of the employee experience. Giving your time and talents for a cause can recharge you. I’ve found that being involved with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center has been a rewarding experience.
These are a few of the important lessons I’ve learned. From day one at Aflac, I’ve seen the strength and tenacity across the enterprise. During the 40 years, we’ve weathered storms, ridden waves, and turned obstacles into successes.
It’s more than camaraderie and working with high achievers. It’s about facing challenges with a collective roar of “We will.”
Aflac includes American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and/or American Family Life Assurance Company of New York and/or Continental American Insurance Company and /or Continental American Life Insurance Company.
