Laugh and the Industry Laughs With You?

Managers at my company recently were asked to weigh in on what we think are the essential capabilities for an effective corporate leader in this challenging business environment.One that I suggested is a sense of humor -- not to make light of today's problems, but to provide some perspective on things. Sometimes, no matter how serious the challenges are, you just can't take yourself that seriously. A little irony or satire can help you prioritize and cope. In that spirit, I encourage you to read a recent column by the pseudonymous Stanley Bing, who writes the "While You Were Out" column for Fortune. As Bing points out, the stresses of dealing with the recession can affect managers in a number of unexpected ways.

With new times come new job-related ailments. As the federal government looks at new regulatory initiatives, it's possible that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration should be investigating the contemporary disorders that afflict us as we go about our daily duties.

And you can let Insurance & Technology know more about your coping strategies at our new LinkedIn group, Insurance Technologists & Strategists. Visit this link to check the group out and sign up:

Over the next few days I'll be reporting from the 2009 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum -- it'll be interesting to see if the "buzz" at the conference is hopeful, desperate, or bemused.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio