RUDY GIULIANI ADDRESSES BIG “I” CONVENTION
Hurricane, risk, and leadership top issues
NEW YORK Sept. 13, 2005—Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani addressed independent agents and brokers from across America and several countries at the closing general session of the Big “I” Convention.
“It is only fitting and appropriate that the largest insurance association in America is here in New York City on the anniversary of Sept. 11,” said Robert A. Rusbuldt, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America.
“We need a Rudy Giuliani in every city,” continued Rusbuldt.
Giuliani discussed Hurricane Katrina and his approach to emergency management.
“I get annoyed when I see the experts on TV saying what they would do better. It isn’t constructive. So I’m not going to play the blame game.
“My principles of emergency management include putting governments together. Put everyone in one room, and get the benefit of all the resources. You have to have a joint command center, with everyone together, and then decide on one person who is in charge. You have to have drills and exercises, and you have to train the first responders.”
When asked if there is an appropriate role for the federal government in insuring natural disasters and terrorist attacks, Giuliani responded: “Yes, there is a role for federal government. Making sure in catastrophes people get the help they need is part of being one country, one nation.”
“Something can’t happen in one part of American without affecting the rest of the country. The federal government has a key role to play in insurance and training the first responders.
“We’re going to sink or swim together. We’re all in it together. If New Orleans gets hurt, we all get hurt.”
Giuliani also addresses the qualities that make a strong leader.
“In business, you have to rally people by setting goals for them,” said Giuliani. “You have to know what you believe, what’s important, and know where you’re going to take people. Make up your mind based on what is right and what is wrong.
“To be a leader you have to be an optimist. You have to be a problem solver. Look at the situation. Think about it. And solve the problem as quickly as possible.”
Giuliani also emphasized that leaders cannot lead alone.
“To be an effective leader, you need a great team. Teamwork is the key to success. The way you put a good team together is by figuring out how to balance strengths and weaknesses.”
Relevant to the insurance community, Giuliani stressed the need for relentless preparation.
“You’ve got to be prepared for the worst thing that can happen to you. Relentless preparation is very important.
“Ultimately, the thing that comes across is if you care about people,” said Giuliani.
“The reason Rudy Giuliani is an effective leader is his vision, compassion, intellect and communications skills,” said Rusbuldt. “His leadership skills have certainly been put to the ultimate test.”
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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