After 15 years with RBC, Abid Iqbal is happy to be back to where he started his career – this time in a leadership role.
As Director of Home and Auto Insurance at the RBC Insurance Advice Centre in Mississauga, Ont., he’s eager to make sure employees enjoy the same opportunities to learn, grow and advance their careers that he’s had since starting there as an advisor in 2008.
“I know how hard our advisors work,” Iqbal says. “To provide clients with the information and solutions that are right for them when they call in, you need to know and understand the products and have great customer service and listening skills to quickly apply that knowledge to each client’s particular situation.
“It’s a role that taught me so much, in areas such as decision making, time management and how to build meaningful relationships. They’re all skills you can use in any line of work and in your personal life as well.”
The learning continued as he progressed through three different roles, honing interpersonal skills and acquiring additional subject matter expertise with each step. Iqbal then switched channels to field sales, supporting RBC Insurance branches as a sales effectiveness advisor for two years before being promoted to regional director.
Iqbal, who returned to the Advice Centre in 2021, says that while he always worked hard and was eager to learn, the common thread throughout his career is how he’s been surrounded by so many good people who willingly provided him with the feedback he needed, as well as plenty of encouragement and support.
“I’ve always had great leaders who helped set me up for success,” he says.
As Director of Home and Auto Insurance at the RBC Insurance Advice Centre in Mississauga, Ont., he’s eager to make sure employees enjoy the same opportunities to learn, grow and advance their careers that he’s had since starting there as an advisor in 2008.
“I know how hard our advisors work,” Iqbal says. “To provide clients with the information and solutions that are right for them when they call in, you need to know and understand the products and have great customer service and listening skills to quickly apply that knowledge to each client’s particular situation.
“It’s a role that taught me so much, in areas such as decision making, time management and how to build meaningful relationships. They’re all skills you can use in any line of work and in your personal life as well.”
The learning continued as he progressed through three different roles, honing interpersonal skills and acquiring additional subject matter expertise with each step. Iqbal then switched channels to field sales, supporting RBC Insurance branches as a sales effectiveness advisor for two years before being promoted to regional director.
Iqbal, who returned to the Advice Centre in 2021, says that while he always worked hard and was eager to learn, the common thread throughout his career is how he’s been surrounded by so many good people who willingly provided him with the feedback he needed, as well as plenty of encouragement and support.
“I’ve always had great leaders who helped set me up for success,” he says.