Who is your most influential role model, and why?
I’ve had numerous mentors I would view as role models throughout my career. The common characteristic they all share is the confidence they had in me to take on roles for which I may not have had specific experience. They recognized and valued my leadership competency as key to my success. In fact, within the Hartford Life Global Operations & Technology team, we have had great responses to our focused approach to employee development. This includes our coaching model, which is centered on employee self-discovery and employees creating their own areas of opportunity. I seek to create a culture that encourages everyone to stretch and grow.
Why are you good at what you do?
I approach my role with a view of “adding value” and leveraging the skills I bring to the table. I continuously coach and develop my leadership team, challenging them to step out of their personal comfort zones. Building strong leaders who operate with an enterprise mindset and work as a team — that’s essentially where I bring the greatest value to Hartford Life. I set a high standard for leaders, asking them to leverage opportunities and drive change across the enterprise. They lead through influence and an unrelenting commitment to doing what’s in the best interests of the company. That kind of positive energy and passion is especially important in today’s challenging market environment.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
In addition to working with the United Way Giving Day through The Hartford, I have also been active with The Hartford Charitable Giving Committee, spearheading development of a methodology to prioritize community giving to ensure the greatest value. Separately, as the executive sponsor of The Hartford’s new facility in Windsor, I have been a key driver for many environmentally friendly design elements. More importantly, though, I really strongly endorse employee giving. The Hartford provides many opportunities for people to engage in improving their communities.
When the stress level gets too high, what’s your secret remedy?
I usually reflect on the situation until I have alternatives to resolve the issue. I often reach out to people I trust and talk through alternative scenarios, reaching an outcome that best suits the situation. I’m a competitive person — you can’t grow up with eight siblings, six of them brothers, and not have a bit of a competitive streak. So, I get energy from meeting challenges and finding solutions to difficult problems: that drives me. Someone once said that “the antidote to exhaustion is not rest; it’s whole heartedness. That’s really true. When I’m struggling, I try to understand what it is inside me that needs to shift, to see the problem or issue from another perspective.
I also try to stay active. Physical exercise is one of the best stress busters.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Give an example or two.
I’m not sure balance is the correct word, but I have been able to acquire more personal time due to having a high-performing leadership team that executes extremely well. While we all have tough, demanding roles, my team has a unique energy and passion that fuels us. It also helps that I enjoy what I do. I don’t really consider it work, so it doesn’t seem onerous. My family is extremely supportive and understands my commitment and is engaged in what I do. This helps tremendously.
Name: Sharon Ritchey
Occupation: Insurance executive
Location of Business: 200 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury
Miscellaneous: Ritchey was named by Insurance Networking News as being among their “2008 Women in Leadership” award winners. She was also included among the “2008 Women to Watch” by Business Insurance magazine. She is an active member of the Kellogg Executive Women’s Network.
Ritchey earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a second Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
