Episodes

Episode # 62: The most important responsibility leaders have is to grow other leaders. The first task a great leader will do is to build trust and that begins with our own actions, our attitude, and our behavior. We often get overwhelmed with the tasks, but I want you to shift from a task-focus to a people-focus leadership style. Lead and set a great example, build trust, and empower your team to create an incredible environment for your team to grow. Episode outline: Build trust, Provide clar...

Episode # 61: This week, I am talking about developing your plan for earning continuing professional education credits. Continual learning in the Finance and Accounting fields is essential to developing your expertise and establishing your credibility. Ensure you approach earning your annual CPEs by planning them out and adding them to your Individual Development Plan. I want to encourage you to be proactive and not wait until it’s time to recertify and renew to earn CPEs, which usually forces y...

Episode #60: Finance and Accounting professionals should be partnering with senior leaders and their teams to better execute the organization’s strategy. We know the numbers and can better deliver insights when we open communication instead of staying in our usual stoved-piped function. I want to encourage you to get out of your comfort zone to open a constructive dialogue with senior leaders. Episode outline: You have more influence than you think, Partner with metric and account owners, and ...

Episode #59: Working on a group project that presents to senior leaders is a great opportunity to show off your skills and get recognized for your potential. Performing your daily duties will not move your career but taking risk by working on a group project can definitely move it along. Ensure you are improving and perfecting your group presentation skills to leave an outstanding impression of your abilities. I use the following outline during the episode: Always know your audience, Don’t ov...

Episode # 58: Build your professional foundation which includes your education, earning a professional certification, and growing your business knowledge. Your Foundation establishes your professional credibility and expertise, which is key to being a sought-after Finance and Accounting Leader. Embrace a life-long learning mindset to firmly establish your Professional Foundation. Episode outline: We must build our credentials and knowledge, We will be known for our technical expertise, but we ...

Episode # 57: What happens during your career journey mostly rests upon decisions you make along with your risk comfort level. Are you planning out your career moves or are you waiting on someone else to give you an opportunity? No one is going to seek you out to hand you what you need to achieve your goals and advance your career. Episode outline: You are the only person who will care about your career, Seek out opportunities to stand out, Embrace taking risk, Adopt a growth mindset, and H...

Bonus episode # 23: Next week, July 20th, Season 7 will debut, and I will be talking about career advancement strategy and how you can set yourself apart. Topics and areas of focus will be owning your career, what do leaders do, how to partner with senior leaders, perfecting our presentation skills, self-awareness and reading the room, and a few others. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclai...

Episode # 56: I am sharing my interview with Army-Retired Colonel David Fivecoat, Managing Partner of The Fivecoat Consulting Group (thefivecoatconsultinggroup.com). David has a book coming out in July which discusses the leadership attribute “grit.” During the interview, we talked about leadership, dealing with adversity, and leading change. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For mo...

I have noticed over the last few months on all my social media timelines that people are talking more about their mental health. It’s become a very hot topic. Our mental health is key to our long-term success, our relationships, our view of ourselves, and many other aspects of our lives. Please visit a mental health professional to discuss your individual mental health concerns. For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint...

Bonus Episode # 21: This week, I want to share an encore episode from earlier this year, Episode 37, Becoming Coachable to Improve Performance. Being open to feedback and to constructive criticism is key to our long-term development. I am encouraging you to be open to listening to feedback when it comes your way, then evaluate it and then make a decision if you want to apply it. If you are not open to receiving feedback, then you might miss something incredible that you can apply to your life o...

Episode # 55: This week, I am sharing the second part of a two-part special interview with Talent Management Executive Kevin Richie. Last week, I shared Part 1, which was a tremendous success. This week, the interview focuses on what it means to be successful and taking risk in your career. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: fi...

Episode # 54: This week, I am sharing the first part of a two-part interview with Talent Management Executive Kevin Richie as I wrap up Season 6. We talk about Leadership, Team Culture, Recruiting and Hiring new team members, Setting Expectations, Performance Reviews, and Coaching. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financelead...

Episode # 53: An effective weekly team meeting should help your team members and not just you. Your team should walk away more informed and knowing they will be better resourced and what they are working on has been synchronized within the team. Your meeting needs a well-defined purpose and not just a “check the block” approach each week. Begin by sending out an agenda ahead of the meeting so everyone can be more prepared, which will make it an overall more productive experience. Episode outlin...

Episode # 52: Use leadership to better manage your team’s task workload. How you assign tasks also affects your team’s culture. Go beyond just getting tasks done so that they can be used to develop your team, and your people can be ready for greater responsibility. There is definitely a management approach that is required but use your leadership skills to make your team better for the long term. Episode outline: Your role as leader in task management, What you should work on versus your team?...

Episode #51: The inevitable return to working in the office is coming. Is your team ready? What planning do you need to do? What support do you need from your organization? Moving back to the office isn’t as simple as telling your team I’ll see you in the office tomorrow. You need a plan. Your organization also needs a plan. Episode outline: What’s the plan for returning to the office? How will you prepare your team before going back? What support do you need from your organization? Please c...

Episode # 50: Learning to be an effective leader will set you apart positively in the eyes of the senior leaders and executives you work with and will help you advance in your career. We are already expected to be technical experts in our field, so learn leadership to give you the edge you need to advance. Episode outline: Leadership starts with our mindset, Our personal character is key, We must lead and influence necessary change, A few areas we can positively change. Please connect with ...

Episode # 49: Performance reviews may not be the most exciting topic, but determining a team member’s potential is critical to developing your team. Also, let’s think about performance reviews in a different way and that is through a leadership lens. I believe in doing something different, so you create a better way to do something. A better way to develop your team and a better way to create a positive outcome. That is why we lead….to create more positive outcomes for our team. Episode outline...

Episode #48: A coach can help you see areas of your leadership and performance that must improve. The best coaching sessions are when we discover for ourselves what we need to change. If you desire to achieve positive results in your job performance, career and life, then you need to know what to change regarding your thought processes and how you organize your life. Episode outline: We all need career and personal coaching, The right questions lead to better personal discovery, Achieve resul...

Episode # 47: I am talking about setting expectations for your team members. What you do, what you hold as accountable, and what you let slide as far as behavior and work performance will become new standards. Set clear expectations up front and then follow through with them, which includes your own personal behavior and work performance. Clear communication is always key to clear expectations. Episode outline: Effective communication is the key, Matching Team culture and your expectations, Y...

Episode # 46: The team’s culture determines how well everyone respects each other and works together. How do you want your team to interact with each other? Do you want to be all business all the time, more relaxed, or something else? As the leader, you set the tone for the team’s culture. Don’t overlook the relationship of team culture and its overall performance. Episode outline: What is team culture, How team culture shapes output and productivity, Your role as leader when it comes to cult...

Episode # 45: Since you will have to train and work with new people, how are you shaping and influencing the process? Are you working with HR to find the best candidates? Also, do you really know what the best candidate is who will fit well with your team? The old ways to hire Finance and Accounting team members must be relooked so we get the best candidates who can lead and influence positive outcomes. Episode outline: What is your ideal candidate? How does team culture determine the best can...

What do I mean when I say team culture? It’s the values, beliefs, and attitudes that are present on your team. Who controls this culture? Well, many factors control this. As a leader, you set the tone, expectations, and overall accountability of the team. If you are not paying attention closely, the team culture can shift to something not desirable. This is why this topic is so important. You have to be on top of team culture. Pay attention to words and how people are interacting. How are peopl...

We need to be doing some important things in our life to ensure we reduce anxiety and stress. Additionally, as a leader, you should be setting the example for others to follow. This bonus episode is about a few self-care ideas to help you. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team. For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.co...

We should be continually reviewing our goals ensuring they are realistic, they are measurable, they can be achieved, and are time based. It’s best when we break up our goal into smaller, more easily achievable pieces. We can then achieve small victories to show progress and this positively affects our mindset. Please enjoy this encore presentation of Episode 36 on Goal Setting You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to d...