When Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) employee Todd Doering started in the claims department 10 years ago, he knew he wanted to work towards a leadership position.
“I think, just naturally, my strengths are with decision making and process improvement,” Doering said.
Working for BCBSNE wasn’t his original plan, however. After earning his degree in education, Doering wanted to be a teacher.
“When that didn’t work out, I knew I still wanted to help others get things done and grow,” he said.
A decade and several positions later, Doering does just that as a scrum master on an Agile team.
Agile is a project management method where team members work together to accomplish tasks. As a scrum master, Doering is responsible for facilitating communication and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently.
The role of scrum master checks Doering’s leadership box because a large portion of his position involves supporting team members as a servant leader, or someone who places the needs of others first in order to help them reach their goals.
Doering knows the value of servant leadership since the leadership of others helped him get where he is today.
“From when I walked through the door in claims, I’ve been lucky to have good managers who care about me as an employee and as an individual and have been able to give me advice and continue to grow,” he said. “The leadership culture is very good.”
Doering now strives to help others grow and mentors team members. He’s found that, whether he’s the mentor or mentee, he learns something new from each relationship.
Building relationships is important to Doering. He credits the ones he’s built over the years for providing him with incentive to stay at BCBSNE and work towards his goals.
“There’s been times when I think everybody gets frustrated and looks elsewhere,” he said. “Everyone has their off days and it’s work, but I’ve never dreaded coming to work because of the relationships I’ve built.”
Doering has also experienced personal growth during his decade at BCBSNE.
“When I first started, I was 24, wasn’t married and didn’t have kids,” he said. “Now, I’m married and have two kids, so from where I started personally and professionally, I’m leaps and bounds from where I was.”
Glenn Bruneau, a BCBSNE information services manager, has seen Doering grow through the years and now sees him use his skillset as a leader.
“Todd’s leadership style focuses on accountability and on commitment to our business partners and members,” Bruneau said.
Doering advises others interested in pursuing leadership positions to work on relationship building, which strengthens the communication skills needed to lead. He encourages others to chase their career goals.
“Do what you think you’ll enjoy doing,” he said.
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