Isobel Dobney, head of people and talent development at LifeSearch, speaks to Health & Protection about plunging straight into the world of work after quitting her university course one year in, taking leadership lessons from LifeSearch COO Paula Bertram-Lax and why for her, working 9 to 5 in protection is more than just a way to make a living.
How did you get your start in the sector?
Starting at LifeSearch was my first opportunity in the protection world. I have almost a decade of experience in learning and development but had not worked in protection yet.
My career has spanned a number of regulated industries, including energy and sustainability and general insurance, so I was able to transfer these skills across into my current role as it’s all about helping people improve their skills and performance, regardless of sector.
I met with Paula Bertam-Lax, our COO and Andrew Parker, our head of people and culture and it just seemed to fit. It’s now been two years at LifeSearch and I’m absolutely loving it.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I love that I get to collaborate with all parts of the business so my role is varied and involves different people and projects, which keeps things engaging and keeps me on my toes.
The main thing I love is that my number one priority is to help Searchers grow their skills, knowledge and behaviours, and I love being able to see the impact that mine and my team’s work has.
I also get huge job satisfaction, as not only does it help Searchers in their careers but it supports our customers too, as well as contributing towards our wider business purpose.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
I have a few, and I know it could be seen as cheesy but a lot of them are my loved ones, as I’m very lucky to be surrounded by driven, talented, yet kind and caring people.
I have always looked up to my parents who both forged self-made and successful careers through being creative, finding what they loved, and building on that. I look to them often for advice, guidance, and inspiration – particularly my mum who showed me from a very young age what being a successful, authentic woman in leadership looks like.
My partner is one of the hardest working people I know. He is so driven and ambitious but never compromises his integrity and values, which inspires me to aim higher and higher, while still being authentically me.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
Again, I’ve had a few. I feel like I’m a bit of a sponge and learn different things from different leaders/mentors to carry forward with me.
My current boss (our COO, Paula), has taught me so much about leadership and the importance of accountability, how nothing is as much of a disaster as you might think, and nothing cannot be fixed as long as we are open, honest, and work together.
I would also mention my mentor when I very first started out in L&D, for teaching me so much about the basics but also really igniting my passion for coaching and developing others as this set me on my career path, so I do not think I would be where I am now without that guidance.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
I would say if you are interested in the sector, take the leap. Speaking as someone fairly new to the sector, I have found everyone I have met to be welcoming and friendly and always open to offering advice and guidance. So, in terms of how to make your start, reach out to people in the industry for their advice or thoughts and start to build your network.
There are plenty of webinars and events going on throughout the year to get involved in too, so research and attend those to get learning and networking. I am always happy to have a chat with anyone to offer more thoughts if they were to reach out.
Also, think about what you want to do specifically. Is it advice, underwriting, account management, or a more business service focused role? This will help you focus and start to build your skills and network to support this specific area.
What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
Back in 2011, I made the decision after my first year at uni to not finish my degree. You could call this a set back of my own making, but even though it was my decision it still left me feeling pretty lost, at a crossroads. Should I return to studying but perhaps a different course or uni? Or should I get a job and see where it took me?
I had always worked alongside studying since I was 14, and I loved the sense of independence it gave me even at that young age. So, I decided to look for a job to learn as much as I could and support myself.
I started out with a few sales roles in very cut-throat companies that were brutally challenging, and full of setbacks and ‘no’s’ every day. I was determined, ambitious and wanted to get there on my own, so I kept at it and picked myself up with each knock back, whilst looking for new roles. And I then got a role at Legal & General in their customer services.
While there I learnt as much as I could and put my hand up to help with or get involved in any opportunity, which is how I got my start in their learning and development team. This was the starting point of my career I have now. So I would say I overcame this challenging time through determination, resilience, being proactive and putting myself out there.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
I do not deal with our families directly, but am always in awe of the care that LifeSearchers put in every day to protect families in the best possible way.
One that stands out to me is from our special risks team, who were able to find full cover for a customer who had suffered a heart attack only a few months before – with no exclusions. It just felt like an incredible outcome for a customer who truly needed our care.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
I love working with people and I strongly believe that investing in and nurturing your people is the best way to have happy, engaged people who want to do their best, which adds more value and means more success as a business.
So, I’d love to continue building my career in people and learning and development – ideally in a role like a chief people officer one day, who knows?
How would your boss describe you?
Well, I have taken on the unofficial role of social secretary in our team, so maybe that. But in all seriousness, I would think she would say I’m adaptable and open, dedicated, and I hope good fun.
What is your biggest talent away from work?
I would say baking and cooking or karaoke, depending on the situation.
What mantra do you live by?
Focus on the things you can influence or change – if you can’t, then either figure out a way you can, or let it go.
Problems are wake up calls for creativity.
Make time for the things you’ll want to remember when you’re old and grey.
If you don’t try, then the only thing you know for certain is it won’t happen – so you might as well give it your best.
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
Dolly Parton is my absolute number one, so I’d go with anything by her – but 9 to 5 is a great one to get motivated.