by Rachel Lewis
Workers Compensation Fund, Young Leaders Member
I’ve been fortunate to go to a number of Young Leaders’ Lunch with a Leader series. But last week, I went to one with my own leader: Workers Compensation Fund CEO, Ray D. Pickup.
I’ve known Ray for the ten years I’ve worked at WCF. I’ve seen him address large groups at community events, dance in drag at company parties, and joke around with small groups of employees. However, the setting at the Lunch with a Leader event allowed me to see a different side of a leader that I’ve known for years.
During the lunch, Ray reviewed his career path that started in San Francisco with one of the big eight accounting firms at the time. He discussed how along the way, two mentors helped him gain the experience needed to become the chief executive of an insurance company. He also mentioned two short books that influenced his choices while being CEO and reviewed the notes he carries in his day planner to guide him when making executive decisions.
I left the lunch with better insight on how my own CEO directs my company. I also met a number of influential and dynamic United Way of Salt Lake Young Leaders from Zions Bank, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and several other companies. Once I got back to my computer, I ordered both The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive and The Five Temptations of a CEO and asked Ray if he’d be willing to start a book club at WCF.
I highly recommend the Lunch with a Leader series to any Young Leader. If you aren’t yet a member of United Way of Salt Lake Young Leaders, you can find out more HERE or by contacting Drew at drew@uw.org.
