Having played a pivotal role in coordinating the operational side of acquisition development, as well as handling information systems for strategic analysis, Ritesh Behl (pictured), Chief Operating Officer for North America at Acrisure Re, believes success lies in collaboration. Although he initially struggled with his self-proclaimed perfectionist nature, Behl came to realize the importance of collaboration as the cornerstone of success in his role.

“(It all comes down to) the team-based approach,” he told Re-Insurance Business. “I was lucky enough to work in an organization that had a culture and structure that helped people work together. That’s what we pride ourselves on. However, it took some time for me to understand how to be effective in that environment – ​​because I tend to be a perfectionist.

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Behl is quick to point out that he used to be very precise about how he wanted things done — to be completely confident that they were being done “correctly” from his point of view.

“But you start to realize that when you delegate you learn how to trust people — how to empower those around you — and you soon realize the greater potential that can come from that,” he added.

Get the communication right

Effective communication stands out as another cornerstone of Behl’s strategy to ensure operational efficiency. The belief that open and frequent communication can alleviate most problems is central to his philosophy.

“Even though there are competing priorities in many different areas, once you have open communication between teams and the organization as a whole, it strengthens the environment of people working together. Problems get resolved rather than just delayed — or (things) slide through.” Cracks.

From the moment Behl took office, he embraced Acrisure Re’s ethos of approachable leadership. This foundational element has played a pivotal role in his journey from being a newcomer to becoming a leader himself.

“Since the day I joined this company, I have been lucky enough to have strong supportive managers who have lifted me up throughout my time here,” he told Re-IB. “They gave me the opportunity to grow. I now try to instill the same values ​​into my leadership style to empower the people and teams around me.

Mediation workshops

This philosophy extends beyond internal operations to include how Acrisure Re interacts with its clients, always focusing on transparency and honesty. It was Behl’s innovative spirit that eventually led to the start of workshops aimed at bridging the gap between the firm’s brokerage and operations teams.

“We hold these workshops (which include) team building exercises, strategy sessions and roundtable discussions,” he said. “It was a way to enhance collaboration and communication (as well as) build rapport between global teams.”

The success of these workshops has been evident, not only in smoother internal operations but also in improved service delivery to clients. The idea that fostering closer communication between teams leads to better customer outcomes is a testament to the company’s forward-thinking approach.

“There is a tendency in our industry for brokerage teams to throw deals over this imaginary fence,” Behl said. “It goes from the brokerage table to the back office for processing. But they’re not really talking to each other as much as they should be. So, what we wanted to do was create a greater connection, because when we develop that relationship, it not only leads to better operations internally, it benefits Ultimately for our customers.

“We are in the services business – and we try to make sure that the product and service we provide to our customers is exceptional. The interesting thing we found when we held our first workshop was that new ideas and efficiencies emerged. In fact, this has been so effective that many of our global teams are now holding workshops.” Similar work every year.

Despite the investment these workshops require, Biehl and his team consider them essential to the company’s continued success. This initiative has proven so valuable that it is seen as an investment in the development of the team and the quality of service they provide.

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