Senior Vice President of Title Insurance, Old Republic Intl
Search every verified Carolyn Monroe interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2024 podcast interview, Carolyn Monroe, Senior Vice President of Title Insurance at Old Republic Title, discussed leadership and the challenges facing the title insurance industry. Monroe described the regulatory environment as the industry's biggest challenge, noting that it varies regionally and requires knowledgeable staff. She also emphasized that the industry is dependent on the broader economy and housing market. Monroe stated that leaders must focus on what they can control, communicate openly with their teams, and adapt their communication styles to others rather than expecting others to adapt to them. Monroe shared that she recently made a "total restructuring decision" that turned a department upside down, describing it as difficult because it involved people leaving the organization. She advised leaders to trust their instincts, rely on trusted colleagues, and not be afraid to ask for help. Regarding technology, Monroe said that while AI and other innovations are interesting, companies should be cautious about investing in tools they may not need. She also stressed the importance of maintaining a professional network within the title industry.
“I think probably the biggest challenge is the regulatory environment. It's different from the west coast to the east coast; you have to understand it, you have to learn it. You can't learn it all, so you have to make sure you have really good people in your organization that understand it.”
“No matter how good we are, we're really dependent on a market, we're dependent on the economy, we're dependent on jobs being out there for our industry to be successful. So you have to understand all that and be able to navigate the good times and the bad times.”
“You can't force people to communicate your way or it just won't work. You have to understand different communication styles and adapt to them. It's not all about you; that's the hardest thing for a lot of people to learn.”
“Not long ago I had to make a total restructuring decision within the organization that really turned a whole department upside down. It was the best thing for the company, but difficult because it usually involves people not being with your organization anymore. You have to be sensitive to that and do what's best for t...”
“You can only control what you can do. We can't control the market, so you have to focus on what you can control. Communicating with your team is the best way to keep them motivated, especially in difficult times. You have to be out there telling people what's going on and not let others tell your story.”
“The title industry network is pretty tight. You meet Realtors, lenders, attorneys, and others who influence decisions. It's important to keep up with these people because you never know when you'll need them or when they'll need you.”
“Technology is starting to play a bigger role in the title business. AI and other innovations are interesting, but you don't want to invest a lot of money and time in something that you really don't need. You have to understand how technology fits within the industry and your organization.”
“Always trust your gut. It's important to trust your decisions but also have people you trust around you to rely on. You can't do this by yourself; anyone who thinks they can is going to be lonely. I've always chosen not to be lonely at the top.”
“Don't ever think it's weak to talk to people and ask for help. I've never been afraid to admit when I don't know what I'm doing. You have to be careful not to talk about things you don't know about because that can ruin your credibility.”
In a special departure from our usual format, this episode opens with Ann Allard introducing an exclusive interview conducted by ...
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