5 Minutes with Vicky Zhang

So, you’re the winner of the 2022 Next Gen Insurance Leader Award! What was your motivation to apply?

Curiosity is my motivation.  I enjoy seeking new information, exploring new experiences and discovering novel possibilities. I am always curious around how technology continues to shape the world we live in. I want to understand how AI can be beneficiate to insurance professionals and the genuine interest on this subject drew myself to apply. 

It was great to see the support from your NTI team at the announcement! What’s the best thing about your current role?

The continuous professional career development opportunities. There are many internal secondment opportunities and exciting project works, and also extensive training and learning courses/ resources available. I am surrounding with professionals from different business areas, we respect and learn from each other all the time.

What book are you currently reading – what made you choose to read it?

The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichirou Kishimi. The book provides an accessible overview of the psychology concepts of Alfred Adler- one of the giants of 19th century psychology.  Some of the concepts presented can be a bit provocative and may go against a lot of the dominant narratives of the current cultural milieu. However, it is still an interesting book in my opinion -it shows me how to unlock the inner power to become the best and truest self. It also explains the ability to determine our own future free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others.

Ok, a different one… You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What colour would you be and why?

I hope to be colour white because it is very useful and work well with all other colours. I do some painting as a hobby and I always run out of white paint quite quickly compare to other colours. White gives me a sense of purity and freshness. One of my favourite artists- Robert Ryman, the master of white on white painting. I inspired by white and his works, and I hope it is inspiring to someone else.

What advice do you wish someone told you earlier on in your career?

Focus on long term value creation. Looking at career goals in the long run, try to develop skill sets that will prepare you for the future.  I believe the power of execution says more about a person’s determination and ambition than just words. Never stop learning or sharing knowledge. It is important to grow individual skill sets but more importantly to grow as a team.