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There are few publications that I look forward to receiving more each month than The Actuary (10p in sarcasm box), but at least I used to know where I was with the publication. Actuaries, after all, are not seen as the most sociable of people. Indeed, inter-personal skills are not, I would hesitate to claim, at the top of their list of "things to do well". They'd rather lose a friend than get a number wrong in a risk calculation.
So it was with horror that I opened this month's issue and saw that the (female) editor, was waxing lyrical about the "Momentum 2008" programme, saying that it
One could observe, albeit with the cynical journalist's eye, that there are rather too many people in the world today with great soft skills and a totally empty toolbox, getting up every morning to well-paid jobs gained entirely through interpersonal skills rather than skills at the actual job.
I would also claim that there are certain groups of professionals wghere any display of soft skills would rather worry me, and actuaries (along with claims adjusters) are two of these.
If my house has been virtually dstroyed in a hurricane, and a claims adjuster turns up, the last thing I either want or expect from him (they are usually male) is to be mainly concerned with "how I am feeling". Indeed, if he showed such a concern, I would be certain that it would be a prelude to a stitch-up on my claim.
Similarly with actuaries. If an actuary comes across as friendly, I'm suspicious, not pleased.
"Emotional intelligence"? No thanks.
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So it was with horror that I opened this month's issue and saw that the (female) editor, was waxing lyrical about the "Momentum 2008" programme, saying that it
looks great, including sessions on emotional intelligence and managing professional relationships. we should not underestimate the importance of soft skills and I hope that these sessions are well attended. After all, it is no good having a full toolkit if you do not have the soft skills to employ them.
One could observe, albeit with the cynical journalist's eye, that there are rather too many people in the world today with great soft skills and a totally empty toolbox, getting up every morning to well-paid jobs gained entirely through interpersonal skills rather than skills at the actual job.
I would also claim that there are certain groups of professionals wghere any display of soft skills would rather worry me, and actuaries (along with claims adjusters) are two of these.
If my house has been virtually dstroyed in a hurricane, and a claims adjuster turns up, the last thing I either want or expect from him (they are usually male) is to be mainly concerned with "how I am feeling". Indeed, if he showed such a concern, I would be certain that it would be a prelude to a stitch-up on my claim.
Similarly with actuaries. If an actuary comes across as friendly, I'm suspicious, not pleased.
"Emotional intelligence"? No thanks.
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