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Insurance leader warmly welcomed back to
​​​​​​​RBC with 'above and beyond' support

Russell says he knew from the first day he made the right decision because he met
like-minded colleagues who shared his excitement about developing new skills.
This article is part of a series that explores a hiring trend out of the Great Resignation — the rise of the boomerang employee. These are employees who left a company but after further consideration, return. In the series, RBCers share their decisions to come back and the new skills and deeper perspective they bring with them.

As a criminology major, Russell Shaw never thought he’d land a job at one of Canada’s largest bank-owned insurance companies. But after working in the criminal justice system for a few years, he realized the path he chose in university just wasn’t a good fit for him long term. Although Russell loved helping young people, he wanted a career with more opportunities.

A family friend in insurance shared with Russell that the industry is ideal for creative and curious people and would provide the lifetime learning and growth opportunities he wanted. So Russell started taking evening insurance courses and earned certifications and in 1998 he joined what would become RBC Insurance as an underwriting trainee.

Russell says he knew from the first day he made the right decision because he met like-minded colleagues who shared his excitement about developing new skills.
​​​​​​​

After a series of progressive roles, he became the Senior Director of Life and Living based in Mississauga, leading a large team at RBC focused on life, health, operations and underwriting as they supported clients with insurance products.
Flexible work
Photo: Russell says he knew from the first day he made the right decision because he met like-minded colleagues who shared his excitement about developing new skills.’

Russell loved his job, his team and the work he was doing so he didn’t expect to be thinking about a role elsewhere. But a unique offer came along that piqued his interest – a leadership position in a related industry that promised the opportunity to learn something new.

“These roles don’t often present themselves and I felt if I didn’t take the position, I wouldn’t have the chance again,” Russell explains. “So I made the painful decision to leave RBC.”

He started his new role at the height of the pandemic, joining his team in a remote environment. Russell was excited to lead and share his technical expertise with his new team, but soon realized the new company wasn’t a good fit. He missed RBC’s approach to decision-making and the close-knit feeling among team members. The realization was eye-opening.

“It became clear to me that I had a much stronger tie to RBC than I even understood myself,” Russell reflects. “I missed the team, the certain level of autonomy in insurance and the quick decision-making and core strategic philosophy at RBC.”

After six months, Russell began to contemplate other job options, but his first call was to his former boss at RBC. Turns out, because of the pandemic no one had yet been hired for his previous role and with the support of leadership, Russell returned to RBC in the position he left in November of 2020.

“RBC welcomed me back without any awkwardness,” he said. “My leaders went above and beyond to ensure I was supported and that the transition back was as smooth as possible. It was like coming home.”

Russell says along with that feeling comes a deep satisfaction with the work itself.

“I feel like I make a difference, and I didn’t feel that same impact at the previous organization. The work we do at RBC is important and our team is connected. I have a new appreciation for that.”

A word from our lawyers

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subject matter discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.

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