Courageous Careers: Alison Lyons on Risk-Taking and Growth

Courage isn't just a buzzword at Insurance Group of America—it's the foundation of exceptional careers. Our conversation with Alison Lyons reveals what happens when leadership sees potential and throws you into the deep end.Alison's journey from MTSU student to insurance professional began with a single classroom question that caught Jamie's attention. After joining as an intern in 2017, she faced a career-defining moment when she was suddenly tasked with managing a million-dollar book of business comprising 70-100 clients. With minimal experience but maximum determination, she embraced late nights, countless questions, and the humility to tell clients, "I don't have an answer right now, but I will get back to you"—and always did.What makes Alison's story particularly compelling is her perspective on risk-taking. "I took a risk on IGA as much as they took a risk on me," she explains, describing her decision to join a three-year-old company over a more established firm. The fast-paced environment and opportunity for accelerated growth proved irresistible. Even when she briefly left IGA to gain perspective elsewhere, she ultimately returned, drawn back by the energy and growth mindset that permeates the organization.Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from our conversation is Alison's approach to failure: "The great thing about insurance is you're not doing brain surgery... nobody's going to die." This refreshing perspective, coupled with IGA's culture of "falling on the sword" when mistakes happen, creates an environment where courage flourishes. For professionals seeking faster-than-average career growth in insurance, her advice is clear—embrace challenges, ask endless questions, and remember that failing forward is part of the journey.Ready to join a team where pushing boundaries isn't just permitted but expected? Listen to Alison's full story and discover if you have what we call the Grit Factor.