--- title: See the People description: Discover the importance of in-person connections in building your brand and career, and why stepping away from screens can enhance your professional life. image: https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/IMG_4967.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/see-the-people#main-content) [![Aartrijk reversed w tag](https://www.aartrijk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Aartrijk%20Logos/Aartrijk%20reversed%20w%20tag.png?width=2048&height=700&name=Aartrijk%20reversed%20w%20tag.png "Aartrijk reversed w tag")](https://www.Aartrijk.com) - [Why Aartrijk](https://www.aartrijk.com) - [Our Team](https://www.aartrijk.com/our-team) - [How We Can Help](https://www.aartrijk.com/our-services) - [Our Insights](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights) - [Contact Us](https://www.aartrijk.com/contact-us) - [Insurance Thought Leadership](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/insurance-thought-leadership), - [Miscellaneous Musings](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/miscellaneous-musings) # See the People ![](https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/IMG_4967.jpg) - November 4, 2026 ![Peter Van Aartrijk](https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/A%20Team/Peter%20van%20Aartriuk.webp) [Peter Van Aartrijk](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/author/peter-van-aartrijk)   Check out all the selfies and commentary on LinkedIn during the recent insurance convention season. I love it. People experiencing joy being around other people — friends and colleagues. In a world more connected and equally more disconnected, I’m energized by witnessing younger professionals coming out in droves to conferences: executives, underwriters, wholesalers, agents and brokers, marketers, PR operatives and media reps. Not just energizing for me… I mean it’s good on them! In a world more connected and equally more disconnected, I’m energized by witnessing younger professionals coming out in droves to conferences: executives, underwriters, wholesalers, agents and brokers, marketers, PR operatives and media reps. Not just energizing for me… I mean it’s good on them! One of my two mantras for my business life is, “See the People,” or STP. ([The second is NAP](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/the-nap-lives-on).) Here’s why, folks: You simply can’t do it all remote and online. That is not a life/work balance. To grow your network, your career, your client base, and, frankly, your happiness, you have to physically get into the same space and time as other human beings. It’s a DNA fact of how we creatures are hard-wired. Attend a conference, get out in the field, have coffee or lunch with a colleague or client. What these meeting-goers are experiencing, whether they consciously realize it or not, is personal branding in action. You add layers to your own brand when you become emotionally significant to others in your circle. Talk some shop too? Of course! Marketing folks in particular often think more virtual communication is better. More Teams calls, more emails, more texts. More is not more. More is less. Kudos to you for turning off the computer, escaping the office, putting down the phone, and smiling face-to-face with other people. Your brand thanks you. Aatrijk Insights Blog ## Related Articles Explore more perspectives from Aartrijk Insights by checking out our related blog posts for fresh ideas and inspiration. [![](https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Follow%20the%20leaders%20Flock%20of%20Canadian%20geese%20flying%20in%20an%20imperfect%20V%20formation%2c%20isolated%20on%20white.jpeg)](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/did-luck-help-your-insurance-career) [Miscellaneous Musings](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/miscellaneous-musings) ### [Did ‘Luck’ Help Your Insurance Career?](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/did-luck-help-your-insurance-career) February 27, 2024 You’re an executive at a global insurance organization. [Read more](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/did-luck-help-your-insurance-career) [![](https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/geico%20gecko.jpg)](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/the-gecko-loves-agents) [Insurance Thought Leadership](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/insurance-thought-leadership) ### [The Gecko Loves Agents!](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/the-gecko-loves-agents) November 24, 2025 The world indeed could be ending, but independent insurance agents and brokers will remain forever. They take the hits... [Read more](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/the-gecko-loves-agents) [![](https://www.aartrijk.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Instructor%20in%20training%20class%20with%20students.jpeg)](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/investing-in-the-future) [Insurance Thought Leadership](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/insurance-thought-leadership), [Miscellaneous Musings](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/tag/miscellaneous-musings) ### [Investing in the Future](https://www.aartrijk.com/aartrijk-insights/investing-in-the-future) September 17, 2024 I’ve been on the Invest Board for years. I believe in the power of the hands-on training and job opportunities that... 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