After having spent quite awhile in this very industry, I can't help but thought the following elements are important for any underwriter to succeed in this industry. It is about savviness in:
1. Technical Risks aspects
2. Operational effectiveness driven
3. Business orientation

We cannot excel without being able to balance these three elements. The technical aspects strengthen our insights and therefore more able to navigate through the difficulties posed by ever changing faces of risks. Ability to recognise business and therefore opportunity in making money for the company will be a great driving force for an underwriter to continuously value add to the corporation. Finally ability to operate means capability to ensure value-cahin deliverables that meet ever changing customers' demands.

Then......come to think about it, why not just ASK? What is ASK? "A" stands for attitude, "S" for Skills and "K" for knowledge. All these elements must co-exist for an under writer to continue to excel in this field that is so ever difficult to navigate....

Crystal ball on the table....tell me which risks is the most profitable of them all...