Cambridge’s Amy Webber on Leadership and the Shrinking Labor Market

The pandemic has changed so many things, especially how we communicate effectively in a more virtual environment. The overall trends with the increase in remote work, and the simplicity of virtual meetings, means fewer opportunities for the more personal connections.

I think it is challenging for us in the financial services industry because we are, ultimately, in a relationship business. I’ve tried to find effective ways to lead virtually on a much broader level than in the past.

This includes finding ways to ensure active engagement with remote associates, ensure the entire company stays connected, and keep a pulse check on how people are feeling both inside and outside of Cambridge.

Personally, I like to attend meetings in person as much as possible. Here at Cambridge, tools such as engagement journeys with our financial professionals and associates, as well as pulse surveys, have really helped us stay connected from a culture perspective.

We’ve had to focus on more effective communications with our financial professionals given that many events have navigated to a combination of in-person and virtual.

6. What’s your biggest hobby, and what was the last event/activity you did related to it?

I ventured into scuba diving with my daughter in 2019, and it quickly became a favorite hobby. It’s very peaceful under the ocean! Everyone who knows me knows I like a challenge, and diving is both challenging and fulfilling. The pandemic may have slowed my progress, but I look forward to more underwater adventures!

7. How about your latest community/charitable activity/event/cause?

My role as a Board of Trustees member for our local community college has been extremely fulfilling over the last few years. It is inspiring to see more employers recognizing significant talent within young adults that may not be a best fit for an advanced degree journey. I feel this perspective is critical to our industry and can help achieve greater diversity within our firms.

Every year our firm chooses a charity to support in coordination with our national conference, Ignite. It is an important opportunity to show our collective, charitable strength for a local cause in the city that welcomes us.

In 2021, I was highly supportive of our firm’s overall efforts to support the Jordan Thomas Foundation, which provides children affected by limb loss with the prostheses they need throughout their growing years.

Cambridge presented the Jordan Thomas Foundation with a check for $134,070, which was record-setting for us, and the amount continues to grow as Cambridge provides a funding match through the Cambridge Foundation for qualified requests from Cambridge associates and independent financial professionals.

8. What book are you reading now, and why?

Our entire Executive Council is reading Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman. This is part of a workshop our leaders are participating in through Franklin Covey.

Simply put, as leaders, we all have the ability to act as either multipliers or diminishers. When we act as multipliers, we “multiply” productivity and engagement within our teams exponentially. The research behind the multipliers concept is really powerful.

I would recommend this book to anyone in a leadership role.

9. Is there any other update/fact about you or a piece of advice/wisdom you’d like to share with our advisor audience? 

More than ever, in my 34-year career, I am realizing the value of my crisis management skills. As leaders of organizations of all shapes and sizes, we should continue to expect disruptions, embrace adaptation, and seek a balanced approach to our decisions, considering the well-being of all of the various constituencies that rely on us.

It is our responsibility — through the turmoil presented by the labor shortage, market conditions, rising interest rates, inflation and supply chain pressure just to name a few — to remain calm and clear. This is no small task, so we must also give ourselves grace and ensure we are surrounding ourselves with those that share our common values.