Leadership ≠ Management: Layla Farivar on Individual Contribution

In this episode, I interview Layla Farivar, Employee Benefits Consultant at IMA Financial Group. Layla shares her inspiring career journey from the mortgage industry to finding her true passion in employee benefits. Layla opens up about transitioning from marketing to sales, sharing her refreshing perspective on why true confidence is built over time and how supportive leaders and powerful brand representation paved the way for her success. Layla also talks about redefining modern leadership, and candidly explains why she chose to step away from people management to focus on individual contributions, and why it is vital to normalize that leadership doesn't always mean managing a team. Layla also shares her advice for women entering male-dominated spaces, the impact of IMA's women's network, and her take on what it takes to create a more equitable playing field in insurance.