Today In 5 Minutes Or Less (TLDR):

• 6 Traits You Control to Become a Stand-Out Leader …

• Mastering the Bell Curve: Elevate Your Insurance S …

• Around The Web 🌎

6 Traits You Control to Become a Stand-Out Leader in Your Agency 🚀

Hey Insurance Pros!

It’s your Insurance Dudes here—back to drop some real-world wisdom for agents who want to go from good to unstoppable. Today, let’s break down the six essential traits YOU control that’ll instantly elevate your leadership game—and show you where the real ROI is sitting, just waiting to be claimed.

We see agency owners struggle with motivating their teams, creating consistency, and trying to grow while putting out fires left and right. The good news? These aren’t mysterious qualities you either have or don’t—they’re habits you can build.

Here’s how to get after it:

1. Curate Your Attitude (Every Day)

• Show up as the person you want your team to mirror.

• Bad day? Stress at home? Still bring your best attitude—moods are contagious.

• Catch yourself when you start slipping (even a throwaway comment can set the tone!).

2. Lead with Empathy

• Put your people first—staff and clients alike.

• Practice active listening: Do your team members feel heard? Are clients asked about their needs, or just sold to?

• Take initiatives like calling the client back so they never have to chase you—it’s those little touches that build loyalty.

3. Demonstrate Relentless Work Ethic

• Sweat alongside your team. Don’t just expect hard work—model it.

• Celebrate those who go above and beyond, not just with words but with visible leadership actions.

• Shift from pointing out flaws to showing how it’s done.

4. Be Coachable (and Stay That Way!)

• No one is above feedback—not even the owner.

• Treat every correction as a chance to level up, not a personal attack.

• Stay curious: The moment you stop learning is the moment your agency stalls.

5. Master Self-Control

• Stay calm—no matter the fire drill.

• Let your steadiness be the example that guides team reactions, even when you’re not around.

6. Bring the Energy

• Decide: Are you going to be a thermostat or a thermometer? Set the vibe, don’t just read it.

• Energy starts with you—if you bring it, your team will catch it.

• Even on low days, make a conscious effort. The “fish rots from the head,” so keep your waters fresh.

BONUS: Respect Time—Yours & Everyone Else’s

• Punctuality isn’t just about being on time—it’s about demonstrating respect.

• Productivity wins: Double the output doesn’t require double the hours, just rock-solid time habits.

• Model the time management you expect, and watch your whole agency level up.

Here’s Where the Real ROI Is… You’re searching for reliable, proactive, self-sufficient team members, right? The truth: You attract what you demonstrate. Talent is great, but these six traits create the kind of culture where everyone wins—agency owners and teams alike.

Action Steps This Week:

• Write out these six traits and rate yourself (and your agency) out of 10.

• Make one commitment for each trait to improve—however small.

• Share this list with your team and make it a visible part of your agency culture.

Steer the ship with intention and watch your agency transform.

To your success and stay awesome,

Craig Pretzinger and Jason Feltman

The Insurance Dudes! 🚀

Mastering the Bell Curve: Elevate Your Insurance Sales Game 🚀

You know, the interesting thing about talking to a lot of agents is that everyone has a different perception of the market. Depending on where they are, one might say it's much tougher in Georgia, another might say Washington is the hardest place to close deals. And while every market has its unique challenges, there's a concept we all need to remember: the bell curve. Your market closing percentage is right there in the middle of that curve.

You, as an agent, can be on the low end or the high end, and it largely depends on how well you hone your craft. Being a better salesperson isn't just about having charisma or a natural talent for closing deals. It’s about putting in the work. If you make more calls, follow up more diligently, and refine every little step in your sales process, you push yourself towards the right side of that bell curve.

It's easy to fall into the trap of blaming external factors. You’ve heard it – “the leads suck,” “our market is terrible.” But the agents who say these things often find themselves at the bottom of that curve, not because they're unlucky, but because they're creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. They set themselves up for failure by focusing on the negatives instead of working on their skills and strategies to improve.

Success in sales isn’t just about being in the right market; it's about making the most of the market you're in. Yes, some regions might be more challenging than others, but the truth is, every market has potential. It’s about how you approach it, how you adapt, and how you continuously strive to get better.

The bell curve is a powerful reminder that effort and attitude make a significant difference. By improving your approach, striving for more calls, better follow-ups, and refining all those tiny aspects of your process, you can shift yourself from the lower end to the upper end of the curve. Your success isn't just a matter of chance; it's a result of the situation you create for yourself.

So next time you think the market is tough, ask yourself: are you doing everything you can to move towards the right side of the bell curve? It’s not just about the leads or the market; it’s about you and your commitment to becoming the best. Keep pushing, keep refining, and watch as you create winning situations for yourself.

Around The Web 🌎

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The YouTube 🎥

Dave explains how he makes sure as a leader his people perform.

This Week On The Podcast 🎧

We put together a free book and checklist to grow your insurance agency 👉 Here