Sophia Phillips
Posted On: Dec. 5, 2010 12:00 AM CST
President of Commercial Lines Marine
Hanover Insurance Group
Worcester, Mass.
Age: 52
Sophia Phillips' career has taken her from Kemper Insurance Cos., where she headed the marine profit center, an operation that lost money before she joined and helped turn it around before it was purchased by the St. Paul Cos. Inc. When she joined Hanover in 2004, the company did not have a dedicated marine insurance operation. Today, however, marine generates about $200 million in business for Hanover and has gone from having one employee—Ms. Phillips—to 165 marine underwriting, loss control and claims specialists. Ms. Phillips also is chairman of the board of directors of the Inland Marine Underwriters Assn.
WHAT'S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?
Every job in a company is important to the person doing it. Everyone works just as hard at their job to take care of their families as the CEO and deserves respect. Treat everyone regardless of title or position with the same amount of respect and empathy.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?
Be yourself. Stay true to who you are and don't try to be someone else's idea of what a corporate executive should be. Play to your strengths and personality.
OUTSIDE OF WORK AND FAMILY, WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
Queen Elizabeth I. She played by her own rules. She trusted her own instincts, right or wrong. Under her reign, England advanced from a minor player in Europe to a world power and made tremendous advances in exploration, literature, commerce and industry. She put her people and the love of her country above all else.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A teacher and mother; fortunately, I get to be both. Being a good leader requires the same skills that a teacher and mother must have. As a leader, teaching, guiding and developing people is one of the most important functions that I perform to build a successful team. A good leader, like a good teacher or parent, knows how to motivate others, is able to allow others to make mistakes so that they grow, and is able to guide others to be all they can be.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
"My Big Fat Greek Wedding." It is not a comedy or an exaggeration of growing up in a Greek-American family. Everything in that movie is true. I know someone who reminds me of every character and know what it's like eating mousaka at lunch and being the only Sophia surrounded by Susies and Janes.
WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING PLACE YOU'VE BEEN?
China. I had the opportunity to visit when it was first opened to U.S. tourism. The lifestyle and culture was so different than the U.S. At the time, cars were not too common and Chinese taxis were a cart pulled by a bicyclist. Children had not seen many Westerners and were excited to touch curly hair. The Chinese were a very proud people and anxious to show you the best of their world and our group was treated like royalty. I had the opportunity to walk on the Great Wall, visit the excavation site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and do tai chi in the street with folks dressed in Mao clothing. It was a fascinating experience.
WHAT DO YOU PREFER AND WHY: PHONE OR E-MAIL?
Neither. Nothing is better than face-to-face communication. Body language is such an important part of effective communication. However, if I had to choose, I prefer the phone because it is more conducive to genuine communication. I believe e-mail is misused at times and doesn't result in high-quality communication. I also believe it is a fallacy that it saves time. Between all the back and forth on messaging, getting clarification of intent and reading e-mail trails, you can get better and clearer information from a five-minute call and instant response to your questions. E-mail can be an effective tool, but should not be a substitute for conversation.