Episodes

Episode 139: Are you responsible for coaching your team's effort level? The question struck me after hearing WNBA Coach Becky Hammon's bold post-game declaration following a tough loss: "I will not coach effort." Her philosophy is clear—professional athletes must bring 100% effort or risk being benched. But how does this translate to finance leadership? Unlike professional sports, we lead teams with varying experience, motivation, and career aspirations. The approach that works for champions...

Episode # 138: Are you giving your absolute best, or just enough to get by? That comfortable routine might actually be your biggest career threat. The silent killer of professional excellence is complacency – that subtle shift from passionate engagement to simply going through the motions. As we explore in this episode, complacency doesn't arrive with fanfare, but rather creeps in through routine tasks and diminishing challenges, eventually leading to laziness, sloppiness, and missed opportunit...

Episode # 137: What if the key to transforming your business lies not in adding more resources, but in simply understanding how your employees move through their workspace? In this eye-opening conversation with Service Physics co-founders Brian Reece and Steve Crowley, we uncover the hidden costs of inefficient processes that might be quietly draining your profits and customer satisfaction. Website: www.servicephysics.com Service Physics app download: Apple Store Service Physics app download: A...

Episode #136: Matt Lhoumeau, CEO of Concord Worldwide, takes us on his extraordinary journey from founding his first company at 17 to revolutionizing how businesses handle their contracts. Connect with Matt Lhoumeau and Concord: 1) Matt Lhoumeau: Matt's LinkedIn 2) Website: concord.app Matt's revelation will surprise you: contract management has fundamentally transformed. While traditionally the exclusive domain of legal departments, today's reality shows operations and finance teams increasin...

Bonus episode #90: Mindset forms the bedrock of effective leadership. The way we think shapes our decisions, influences how we solve problems, and determines the trajectory of our professional journey. But how often do we examine our own thought processes? In this bonus episode, I explore the critical connection between mindset and leadership effectiveness. Your thought patterns affect everything—from how you allocate resources and prioritize tasks to how you motivate yourself and others during...

Bonus episode #89: A powerful accountability framework can be the difference between another year of unfulfilled potential and remarkable achievement in your finance career. Whether you're aiming for the CFO chair or seeking to level up your leadership skills, this episode unveils the three critical components of a personal accountability strategy that actually works. We begin by examining the mindset shift required for genuine accountability. As finance professionals, we're excellent at holdin...

Bonus episode #88: Your internal business processes are either empowering your team or quietly sabotaging your organization's success. As finance leaders, we must ensure our systems add value rather than create obstacles to growth and profitability. Monthly close procedures provide a perfect example of process challenges. While the goal remains consistent across organizations—producing accurate financial statements and comprehensive business performance snapshots—execution varies dramatically. ...

Bonus episode # 87: Where are your 2025 goals right now? If you've stalled or need to recalibrate, you're not alone. Sometimes life shifts dramatically after we set our annual targets, requiring us to adjust without abandoning our aspirations. Remember—adjusting your plan isn't quitting; it's strategic adaptation that keeps you moving forward while acknowledging your current reality. Leadership excellence forms the heart of this episode, with a deep dive into five critical focus areas that t...

Bonus episode #86: When was the last time your finance team truly worked as a single unit rather than a collection of individuals? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how leadership transforms independent contributors into high-performing teams that accomplish seemingly impossible goals. Trust forms the bedrock of exceptional team performance. We delve into how leaders can cultivate environments where team members take calculated risks, collaborate effectively, and support one another...

Bonus episode #85: In this engaging episode of The Finance Leader Podcast, we explore the intricate dynamics between competitor disruptions and customer traffic patterns. Social changes in a business’s environment can deliver unforeseen challenges and opportunities, making it vital for finance leaders to stay informed and prepared. Triggered by the closure of a popular retailer, we dissect how such events ripple through the ecosystem, affecting not only the shuttered business but also those oper...

Episode 135: Are you a finance leader eager to enhance your team's performance? This episode dives deep into the essential coaching techniques that can elevate your leadership game. We explore the vital distinction between coaching and teaching, emphasizing that coaching is not about providing answers but rather about listening and facilitating self-reflection. Building trust is a crucial element discussed, as it lays the foundation for open communication and collaboration. We share actionab...

Episode 134: Unlock the secret to mastering situational awareness—a skill that sets exceptional leaders apart. Ever wondered how some leaders effortlessly anticipate market shifts and team dynamics? In this episode discover how being attuned to your surroundings can prevent awkward moments and enhance your strategic decision-making. Join me as I break down real-world examples that illustrate the power of reading the room and anticipating industry trends. From subtle team cues to pivotal market ...

Episode 133: Unlock the secrets to maintaining razor-sharp focus as a leader, especially when chaos reigns. Discover the transformative power of strong habits and routines to keep distractions at bay and propel your team toward success. By crafting a vision board and setting SMART goals, you'll learn to structure your ambitions with precision, ensuring both personal and team growth. As leaders, our deliberate use of time and energy is crucial to fostering a productive environment that aligns wit...

You can find the article here: "Does Your Boss Practice Toxic Positivity" by Mita Mallick Episode 132 - What if the optimism you thought was boosting your team is actually holding them back? This episode uncovers the fine line between constructive positivity and its toxic counterpart, revealing how excessive optimism can manipulate teams, cause burnout, and lead to frustration. Drawing on insights from Mita Mallik, we explore how leaders can fall into the trap of weaponizing positivity,...

Episode 131: Chart your course for 2025 with insights that could redefine your approach to goal setting. Inspired by the legendary race car driver Mario Andretti, this episode steers you toward maintaining focus amidst life's inevitable distractions. Discover how to craft a process to achieve what's truly important, sidestepping the petty interruptions that threaten to derail your progress. As January wraps up, it's time for a candid self-assessment. This episode encourages you to confront thos...

Episode 130: Are you ready to transform your approach to leadership and steer your organization to success? Unlock the secrets of proactive change management in this riveting episode of The Finance Leader Podcast. We promise you'll discover how turning risk into opportunity can revolutionize your business strategy. Learn from the visionary insights of Steve Jobs and the strategic prowess found in military leadership, as we offer a roadmap to cultivate a culture of innovation and adaptability. Fr...

Episode 129: Unlock the secret to career success with confidence as your guide. Do you often find yourself trapped in self-doubt or hesitating to step beyond your comfort zone? Tune in to learn how to transform that hesitance into courage and expertise. This episode of the Finance Leader Podcast reveals practical strategies for building self-belief by achieving small victories, embracing your purpose, and reshaping your habits. You’ll discover how to turn mistakes into stepping stones and grow y...

Episode #128: Kickstart your 2025 with a potent strategy that ensures your goals don't end up as forgotten resolutions! We promise to guide you through a personal accountability process that transforms dreams into achievable milestones. What if we told you the secret to success lies not just in setting goals, but in how you hold yourself accountable to them? Join me as we unpack the power of mindset, attitude, and a commitment that defies excuses. Harness the SMART goal-setting method to cr...

Bonus Episode #84: As we close out 2024, I invite you to take a journey with me where we transform the notion of annual resolutions into meaningful, actionable strategies for 2025. Have you ever felt like you're just treading water, waiting for that magical moment to launch into success? Let’s turn 2025 into a year of remarkable progress and fulfillment. Visit financeleaderacademy.com for a treasure trove of resources designed to help us embark on this transformative journey. Please connect wit...

Bonus Episode #83: This is a great time to do a leader reset before the new year begins, so please rest and reset, because the new year brings new challenges and new opportunities. I want you rested and ready once January 1st gets here. Enjoy your family time. Enjoy some time to chill and get ready for another year of hard work. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For more resources, ...

Bonus episode #82: Unlock the secrets of leadership excellence and transform your team's performance with insights that promise to elevate your leadership journey. This special bonus episode of The Finance Leader Podcast, hosted by Stephen McLain, revisits transformative leadership principles that inspire greatness just in time for the new year. Stephen draws on personal experiences from his time in the Army, emphasizing the importance of elevating others and setting the pace for success with...

Bonus Episode #81 - Unlock the secrets to finishing the year with confidence and clarity as we guide you through the essential strategies for finance leaders. What if you could transform your year-end chaos into a streamlined process that sets the stage for success? Join me as I share my insights on balancing the myriad personal and professional demands of the holiday season. As finance leaders, we hold a unique power to influence our organizations and careers. This episode emphasizes the signif...

Bonus Episode #80: What if you could transform your leadership style by simply changing the way you see problems? On this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, I, Stephen McLean, bring the concept of "leader's eyes" to life, an invaluable lesson I learned during my service in the United States Army. Through an engaging story from my military days, I unravel how the knack for identifying and rectifying small issues before they snowball can revolutionize the way you manage your team...

Episode 127: Unlock the secrets to overcoming team frustrations and boost productivity like never before. Have you ever wondered why some teams thrive while others struggle with barriers like poor communication and micromanagement? This episode promises to transform your leadership approach by providing actionable strategies to create a supportive environment. We'll explore how open communication, fair treatment, and adequate resources can eliminate the frustrations that hold your team back. As ...