Underwriter’s book links faith and work

A senior reinsurance underwriter who is passionate about helping others to thrive in the workplace has written a book to motivate and encourage others.

Lorene Phillips has been working in the insurance and reinsurance sector for more than 25 years. Her book is titled 29 Keys to Unlocking your Faith at Work & Win.

“I decided to write a book combining questions I have been asked over the years, both professionally and personally,” she said.

“The reason faith is in the title is because it’s the foundation of what I do and who I am.

“My values and every decision of mine is based on my faith. Colossians 3:23 says ‘whatever we do, we should do it unto Christ and not onto men’.” Mrs Phillips believes that her calling is in the corporate world as that is where she excels and flourishes the most.

“I want to empower people of faith in the workplace to understand that God has a calling on all of our lives.”

She has mentored with the Bermuda Foundation For Insurance Studies, and has a strong connection to young people particularly in Bermuda and the UK, where she now lives and works.

“I love to give back, that’s why I wrote this book, to encourage people to do their best in everything as God has intended them to.”

Mrs Phillips has a BA in Economics from Acadia University, is a Chartered Insurer (UK), a career strategist and a qualified corporate coach with The Coaching Academy in Britain.

Her coaching experience plays a key role as she knows how to communicate with people and encourage then when they need extra support.

“I get the bathroom calls, people know they can confide in me — I am here for moments like this.”

Mrs Phillips pointed out that the book is an easy read and is straight to the point, with only 90 pages, to help give readers the tools to become successful in everyday life.

It touches on subjects such as integrity, etiquette, work-life integration, networking, rest and how to handle not receiving that promotion, as well as integrating both worklife with family and marriage life.

She believes she can identify with people who are working in the corporate world because she is living it daily.

Last month, Mrs Phillips hosted a seminar at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce where she spoke about three key principles from her book. One was the importance of networking. She said if you network correctly you will never have to apply for another job again.

“The jobs will start coming to you if you have a strong network,” she said.

Mrs Phillips touched on time-management and prioritising, knowing what is important and how to deal with deadlines.

“I know what it is like to be unprepared and have a meeting overrun and having to pick up my children late.

“That transparency, and being able to relate, makes the conversation more meaningful.”

Lastly, she touched on work-life integration, and how important it is to integrate the two.

“I call it work-life integration because we never quite get a balance.”

At a successful book signing event all copies sold out.

Mrs Phillips has another book planned for later this year. It will be about parenting. The book, 29 keys to Parenting & Win, will talk about important principles such as respect, etiquette, social media, empowering parents to address chores, and why it is important to instil values in children early.

“My husband and I wrote this book together. It was a fun experience to have a male perspective as well.”

Mrs Phillips’ current book, 29 Keys to Unlocking your Faith at Work & Win, is on sale at the Bookmart in Brown & Co.

There will be a book signing event at the store on Saturday, August 12, between 10am and noon. The book is priced $19.95, and can also be purchased on Amazon. There is also a kindle edition.