The connection between coaching and jobs for former athletes is easy to see. Athletes and coaches work closely together on the field and in the training room, and it’s no surprise that high school and college athletes are interested in careers as coaches.
The line connecting coaches and insurance agents isn’t always so clear. In fact, you might not think that a career as a coach would prepare you for a job as an insurance agent.
But insurance agents don’t always start out in the industry. They come from all walks of life and professional paths, and many coaches have found they have the perfect traits and the right mindset to become successful insurance agents. Their drive and commitment make them ideal candidates to join the Farm Bureau team.
What Makes Insurance a Good Job for Former Athletes and Coaches?
Here are five similarities coaches share with our successful insurance agents.
1. Coaches Are Motivated and Dedicated
One of the main goals of a coach or trainer is to motivate players, other team members and even fans. Coaches push their team to never give up and to continue fighting even when they’re down.
They are passionate about achievement, inspiring the people around them. That passion is a valuable asset for coaches who transition to positions as insurance agents. They can use it to inspire their friends and neighbors to reach their life goals and help them protect what matters most.
At Farm Bureau, our client/members know that, like a good coach, their agent will be there for them in their time of need and will motivate them to keep pushing through the tough times. It’s rare for a sports team to have a perfect season. The best coaches — and the best insurance agents — aren’t thrown by a setback.
2. Coaches Are Committed to Teamwork
The commitment a coach shows their team is another valuable trait for a successful insurance agent. It starts with a commitment to education. Learning the ins and outs of being an agent and getting your business off the ground takes plenty of time and dedication.
Coaches see the big picture. They know that points matter, but the end result of the game is what’s most important. In the same way, successful agents are less worried about getting the sale and more focused on determining the needs of their clients.
Insurance agents need the same skills coaches use to plan practice and workout routines for their players. Agents use them to plan for the success of their clients. Just as players need to understand the steps they need to take to win games, clients need to know what to do to reach their goals and succeed in life.
And coaches build trust in their players the same way agents build trust in their clients. When you show players, or clients, that you have their best interests in mind, it lets them know you’re going to be there when they need you.
Coaches also understand the importance of working together toward a common goal. The best coaches take a personal interest in each of their players and go out of their way to give them the help they need.
The same coach who stays late after practice to help a player who’s struggling with free throws will take that after-hours call from a client who needs that type of personal attention. Good agents can determine what’s most important in their clients’ lives and help them choose the insurance plans that are right for them. At Farm Bureau, our agents team up with client/members to help them protect what matters most.
3. Coaches Bounce Back from Failure
Even great players and outstanding coaches make mistakes and lose from time to time. Good coaches don’t let themselves get thrown off by a setback. Instead, they realize that even if you lose one game, you can bounce back and win the next one.
That resilience can help coaches who shift to careers as agents. Agents face rejection, and they have to recover and meet the next challenge with confidence. Understanding that you won’t win everyone over will give you a better outlook on your insurance business. Coaches know that a setback doesn’t take you out of the game — it helps you fight harder for a victory.
4. Coaches Are Strategic and Committed to Achieving Goals
When you’re a team leader, you need to choose the tactics that will result in wins. Coaches are trained to look at the big picture, decide the best move and adjust strategies according to the circumstances. Their experience with critical thinking and making quick decisions pays off when building an insurance business.
Being strategic is a quality that’s important for Farm Bureau agents, and coaches can use their background to create plans that will help them achieve their insurance sales goals. They can look at their client/members’ needs, create a plan that works for them and adjust it when they have changes in their lives.
5. Coaches Are Involved With Their Community
Coaches have already mastered a crucial part of being a successful insurance agent: They’re involved in their communities. Local sports have a way of bringing the community together, and coaches get to know many community members.
Farm Bureau agents are often most successful when they get involved in their communities. That’s because they can learn more about what matters most to each person and each family. When you’re already engaged with your community, you’re in a great position to talk to others about how the insurance plans you offer could help them protect their livelihoods and futures.
Coaches who become agents don’t need to give up that community connection. As a Farm Bureau agent, you run your own business. That means you’re in charge of your hours and your schedule. If you want to be an agent and continue as a coach, you can make it work. That’s the strategy Heath Stein used when he moved back to his hometown, where he works as both a baseball coach and an insurance agent.
Join Our Winning Team
Being an insurance agent can be a good job for former athletes and coaches. If you’re ready to put your skills to the test and be a part of a team that supports you, Farm Bureau wants to help you become an insurance agent.
With our Developing Agent Program, you can build on the traits you already have and learn more about the skills you need to develop a prosperous insurance business. Reach out today to learn more.