4 Career Lessons From Risk Management Expert Kim Lazenby
What does a leader in risk management have to say about the value of taking risks in your career?
We spoke to Kim Lazenby, Head of Risk & Compliance and Head of Regulatory Change at Allianz Australia, who shared valuable advice for women looking to step into leadership roles.
We discussed her journey from working within her comfort zone to intentionally choosing growth – a path that led her to the senior leadership position she holds today. Here are the key learnings she gathered from her journey:
Lesson 1: Go Ahead and Take Risks
“I attribute the critical factors to my career success to my drive to seek out personal challenges and opportunities for learning and growth”, says Kim. She explains how working with the right people can truly reshape your mindset.
For Kim, a critical factor in her journey was working with leaders who were willing to amplify her impact and increase her scope of work. While finding such mentors is vital, she notes that it is equally important to have the internal drive to challenge yourself and learn as much as possible, especially early in your career.
Lesson 2: Put Yourself Forward
When she feels herself withdrawing from a challenge, Kim relies on a simple mantra: “What’s the worst that can happen?”
“I have made regretful decisions of not going for the next role, or putting my hand up for that tough project, or speaking up in meetings with that very, very important person… situations I have hesitated to put myself forward for and later kicked myself for,” Kim shares. She realised that the risk of staying silent is often greater than the risk of speaking up.
Lesson 3: Intentionally Choose Growth and Progress
A pivotal piece of advice Kim received was: “Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should.” This isn't about doing less work; it’s about ensuring the work you do actually nourishes you. Doing more of what you have already mastered does not lead to progress.
Her expert tip? “If every 6 months you can’t put a significant achievement on your CV, evaluate your work activities and check whether they align with your career direction. Pause and make changes as needed.”
Lesson 4: Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Comfort zones can become invisible barriers to success. Kim experienced this firsthand early in her career.“I was complacent and comfortable after being in the same team for an extended period of time. I was the expert in my domain, and worked with a small familiar cohort – there was no need to flex my leadership style or grow”.
A transition to another role taught her a powerful lesson: “After moving to another role where I wasn’t the expert and my one-note leadership style didn’t suit the new environment, there was a personal realisation of the value in personal change and growth – and the value of a career coach.”
Kim’s parting advice to women aspiring to leadership is simple: Take risks. She urges professionals to take that "left turn" in their career path to build new capabilities and to surround themselves with leaders who will support their aspirations.
About Kim Lazenby
Kim Lazenby is a seasoned executive with a wealth of experience in risk management, compliance, and insurance. She has held several leadership positions at Allianz Australia, where she has made significant contributions to the enterprise's strategic direction and operational success. Her roles have included Head of Risk & Compliance and Head of Regulatory Change, where she led complex regulatory change implementations.
