Into the Spotlight

In a world increasingly shaped by data and risk, actuaries stand as guardians of financial stability.

Yet, many actuaries remain behind the scenes, their voices unheard.

Imagine the impact if these analytical minds stepped into the spotlight, sharing their insights not just within their companies, but with the world.

Thought leadership does not have to be reserved for CEO-types or tech moguls. I believe it’s a path actuaries can and should embrace.

Why thought leadership for actuaries?

Morgan Housel, the writer and a thought leader in finance, says that the biggest risks are often the ones we don’t see coming. He argues that managing risk isn’t about predicting the unpredictable but about preparing for the unknown.

Unlike many professions, the work of actuaries often revolves around making the unknown known and the unseen visible. The focus is on mitigating those hard-to-pinpoint risks Housel talks about—the risks that could disrupt entire industries.

That’s why I believe thought leadership is a key opportunity for actuaries to guide others through uncertainty by differentiated discussions about what the data is saying—and what it’s not saying.

As they do so, actuaries can enrich and deepen the public discourse and positively shape public policy.

Finding your thought-leadership niche

I believe the journey to thought leadership begins with identifying your niche.

The first step is to discover where your unique expertise intersects with the needs of the industry and the broader world. It’s not just about what you know—it’s about where your knowledge can make the most impact. This process starts with reflection and, potentially, coaching.

To find your thought-leadership niche, consider the areas where you excel, where you’re deeply passionate and where you have a unique viewpoint.

Figure 1: Thought leaders write from their story sweet spot. That’s the intersection of your knowledge, your passion and your unique viewpoint.

Source: Your Thought-Leadership Story Sweet-Spot, Rhea Wessel

As you narrow in on your niche, look for gaps in the current discourse, areas where the discussions are shallow or nonexistent, and where your insights could fill that void. Perhaps there’s a lack of in-depth analysis on how continuously evolving artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies like blockchain could revolutionize insurance modeling, or maybe the actuarial perspective on global health risks is underrepresented in public policy debates.

Finally, remember that finding your niche is not a static process. Stay open to new ideas and be willing to adapt your focus as needed. Thought leadership is about leading the conversation, and that means staying ahead of the curve and being ready to address the next big question before it even becomes a topic of discussion.

That’s why I like to say that your thought-leadership niche should always be considered a work in progress.

Writing for wider audiences: The nontechnical angle

Once you’ve understood and articulated your thought-leadership niche for yourself, you must frame the stories you want to share that will add something new to the conversation.

Framing starts by breaking down the problems, so consider which problems you can help your audience solve or understand better.

The articles you write, presentations you hold and interviews you give will all benefit from this framing because it sets you up as someone who can offer a valuable solution to the problem.

I have identified 17 types of thought-leadership articles. For actuaries, “simplifying the complex stories” and “understanding the problem stories” seem particularly fitting.

The goal should be to generously share your expertise and thinking to help solve some of your audience’s problems or answer some of their questions. In return, you could begin to gain the trust of your audience and see your influence widen.

When it comes to the writing, there’s one catch: You must be willing to give up academic and technical styles of writing and make your knowledge accessible and relevant. That means not only teaching, sharing and explaining in simple language, but helping the audience understand why your insights matter and why they matter now.

All in all, I believe actuaries have the potential to become influential thought leaders by putting their unique expertise to use and making it more accessible.

By finding your niche and framing your stories effectively, you can share valuable insights that lead to deeper understanding and influence policy.

Thought leadership not only enhances your career but could also contribute to the broader societal good.

I believe it’s time for actuaries to step into the spotlight and lead the conversation on the future of risk management and financial stability.

Embrace thought leadership and watch your influence and impact grow.

Statements of fact and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the Society of Actuaries or the respective authors’ employers.

Copyright © 2025 by the Society of Actuaries, Chicago, Illinois.