Key Lessons from iCAN’s Coffee with the CEO featuring Phuong Ly from Allianz UK
iCAN recently hosted another inspiring edition of the Coffee with the CEO series in collaboration with Allianz, featuring Phuong Ly for an honest and insightful discussion on leadership, career development, and personal growth.
The session covered everything from commercial mindset and decision-making to fear, adaptability, and what makes great leaders stand out.
About Coffee with the CEO
Our Coffee with the CEO series is a signature iCAN initiative designed to give members direct access to senior leaders from across the insurance market.
Hosted in collaboration with our partners, these relaxed, off-the-record conversations spotlight the real stories behind leadership journeys — offering advice, encouragement, and personal reflections that help our community grow with confidence and purpose.
Here were some of the biggest takeaways from the conversation:
Curiosity Is a Career Superpower
Phuong highlighted the importance of staying curious and continuously learning. Great leaders are not the people who know everything they are the people willing to challenge their perspectives and adapt.
As he shared:
“We don’t know what we don’t know.”
Stop Overthinking Every Decision
One of the most practical leadership lessons focused on decision-making.
When faced with uncertainty, Phuong encouraged attendees to ask:
• What’s the worst-case scenario?
• What’s the best-case scenario?
A simple but powerful framework for reducing fear-based thinking and building confidence.
Decide What Career Path Truly Fits You
Another key discussion centred around understanding whether you want to:
• Lead people
• Or become a technical specialist
Rather than pursuing opportunities blindly, Phuong encouraged attendees to focus on the path that genuinely aligns with their strengths, interests, and long-term motivation.
One of the most impactful moments came when an attendee asked:
“What has been your biggest career challenge?”
Phuong answered candidly:
“The fear of not being liked.”
His openness about overcoming people-pleasing behaviours and focusing instead on authenticity and value creation resonated strongly across the room.
Other standout insights included:
• Why insurance remains such a rewarding industry
• The importance of commercial awareness and customer impact
• The leadership qualities that matter most: adaptability, accountability, mental agility, and diversity of thought
The session concluded with a reminder that careers are deeply personal.
Titles and promotions matter but long-term success ultimately comes from purpose, energy, and understanding what truly motivates you.
As Phuong put it:
“Know what gets you out of bed.”
A huge thank you to Phuong Ly and Allianz for supporting this fantastic conversation, and to everyone who attended and contributed to such an engaging discussion.
We look forward to welcoming more brilliant leaders in future Coffee with the CEO sessions. Stay tuned!
About iCAN
The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN) is a leading organisation committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the insurance sector. Established in 2017, iCAN has been instrumental in spotlighting cultural awareness, fostering talent, and championing diversity within the industry.