Cultivating Curiosity in Insurance Broking
Richard Talbot-Jones
We’re proud to share that our Managing Director, Richard, has had the opportunity to distil his MBA dissertation research on Cultivating Curiosity in Insurance Broking into a published article for the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Journal.
The article (Feb/March 2023 edition, pages 34–35) explores how curiosity is more than just a personality trait — it’s a professional skill that can make a real difference in how brokers serve their clients and how businesses adapt to change.
Why Curiosity Matters in Broking
Insurance is often perceived as a technical and transactional field. Yet at its heart, it is about people, risk, and trust. Curiosity allows brokers to dig deeper into their clients’ needs, asking the kind of questions that uncover risks which might otherwise remain hidden. It helps them challenge assumptions, looking beyond standard solutions to find creative and innovative cover options.
Curiosity also plays a vital role in adaptability. In a rapidly changing landscape, where new risks emerge at speed, curious professionals are more likely to keep learning, stay open to new ideas and respond to developments with agility. Most importantly, curiosity strengthens client relationships. When clients feel that their broker is genuinely interested in their business and circumstances, it fosters a sense of trust and loyalty that extends far beyond the transactional.
From Dissertation to Industry Insight
Richard’s MBA research examined how curiosity can be nurtured within insurance broking and how it might provide a competitive edge in a profession increasingly influenced by automation, digitalisation and commoditisation. His work demonstrates that curiosity is not simply an innate quality but one that can be cultivated within individuals and across organisations.
Leaders have a particularly important role to play. When they model curiosity themselves, they create a culture where teams feel safe to ask questions, experiment with new approaches and challenge established ways of working. Organisations that encourage this kind of culture are more resilient, better prepared to anticipate client needs and more able to respond to shifts in the marketplace.
Looking Ahead
The future of insurance broking will not be defined only by efficiency or technology. It will also depend on the human qualities that enable brokers to add genuine value to their clients. Cultivating curiosity is one of those qualities. It offers a way for the profession to remain client-centred, forward-looking and resilient in the face of change.
We are delighted that Richard’s work has been recognised by the Chartered Insurance Institute, and we hope it sparks wider conversations about how curiosity can shape the future of broking.
To explore the article in full, see the CII Journal (pages 34–35):
CII Journal, Feb/March 2023
