Episodes

Episode # 44: We all need a mentor, and we can also become a great mentor to someone else. When looking for a mentor, I prefer someone who I had previously worked for with a history of a great working relationship. The mentor relationship is unique and differs from that of a coach and teacher. A brilliant mentor who knows the current challenges and market can help guide you as you navigate your career. Episode outside: Why we need a mentor, Traits of a great mentor, The mentor relationship, a...

Episode # 43: We often think of conflict as something that is destructive. And it often is, but there are times when healthy conflict can drive you to a new level of excellence. As leaders, I want you to determine which type of conflict you are dealing with and take action immediately to stop the unhealthy conflict. You need to encourage healthy personal interactions that focuses on growing your team. It can be done. Episode outline: You created the team culture you have, Get out front early w...

Episode # 42: I am talking about wellness as part of an overall fitness plan. We should not be just surviving our jobs and our life, but, in fact, thriving, where we go to a higher level of overall fitness that leads to healthy growth, mindfulness and prosperity. I am encouraging leaders at all levels to set the example to embrace wellness programs and to include wellness in a team’s overall performance plan. Episode outline: You need to invest in your team, The benefits of wellness, Use the ...

Our morning routine is important. It sets up our day for success and having the right attitude. Exercise, eating healthy, a creative outlet and also building up our spirit for positive interaction. It’s all important for our hectic days to be successful. Please enjoy this encore presentation of Episode 23: Five Great Habits to Improve Your Day. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusin...

Episode # 41: Your goal is to be the CFO and even the CEO so you need to start preparing now. You need to develop the skills and mindset to grow into an effective senior leader. Don’t wait until you are a senior manager looking to break into a more junior executive position. Work on the key skills today and change your mindset. Episode outline: Work on your executive presence, Develop these three key skills: communication, relationship building and strategic thinking, Protect your professiona...

Episode # 40: Are you playing it safe in your career by not pushing yourself to reach your potential? When we stay in our comfort zone, we are oppressing ourselves by preventing our own advancement. You need to own your career and own getting out of your comfort zone. You are responsible for your success so don’t fear asking what you need to develop. Don’t let an opportunity get away. Own your career and own your future! Stop playing it safe! Episode outline: Are you a people pleaser? Have you...

Episode #39: Perfectionism comes from insecurity and not necessarily from a desire to perform at a high level. When we fear others or we seek their approval, we can aim to be more perfect in our work, but it actually detracts because we don’t focus ourselves on the most important parts of the task since we are trying to have an answer for everything. Perfectionism wastes time and effort. Episode outline: You are a perfectionist due to an insecurity, Perfectionism has a high opportunity cost, ...

Episode # 38: There are so many ways in which we limit ourselves from achieving our goals. A self-imposed limit is defeating ourselves before we even begin. Once we convince ourselves that there no limits to what we can do and achieve, we become unstoppable in the pursuit of our dreams. You have lots of potential…potential for greatness if you believe in yourself. Rid yourselves of these self-imposed limits and free yourself to act. Episode outline: Limiting belief, Fixed Mindset, Imposter sy...

Episode # 37: We all need coaching to help us see things in ourselves that we do not see. Becoming more coachable is having a growth mindset ready to change so we can rise to the next level. Humbling ourselves and self-awareness opens the door to accepting critical feedback that provides opportunity for growth. What will you do when you finally see an area in your professional life that needs an adjustment? Episode outline: We must be open minded about feedback, Become more self-aware, Coachi...

Episode # 36: What is your Big Goal for 2021? For goals to be effective, they must be written down, be measurable, be specific, have a completion date, be realistic and achievable. Episode outline: 1) Our cheese moved in 2020, 2) What is your Big Goal for 2021, 3) Progress over perfection, and 4) Have a resilience plan. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant 4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii For more resources, please ...

This upcoming week is New Year’s Day. The New Year gives us a great opportunity to start over, to start fresh. To begin anew. The New Year provides us the chance to address our goals, but never New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are fleeting thoughts of impossibilities because they are not rooted in a plan or reality. A goal has a plan. A goal is measurable, its specific, it has a completion date, and it is written down. A goal has realistic planning around it. Here is a recap of my top 5 epis...

Hope has always been my most significant way of moving forward, dealing with adversity, and becoming more resilient. Hope is what keeps me going. I know that tomorrow and next week will be better. No matter what happens to me today….tomorrow is better. Today is already here….tomorrow will give me relief. Tomorrow is where I reside and see the great possibilities. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to develop your lea...

Episode # 35: A spreadsheet can be an amazing tool to analyze data or create a report, when planned out and organized properly. Our spreadsheet files should be simple and easy to use by all members of our team. Leaders should set expectations on how analyst tools should be created and maintained by their teams. Let’s create analyst tools that deliver what we need, but also easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to maintain. Episode outline: What is the purpose of the spreadsheet you will cre...

Episode #34: Strategy is often a set of tough choices of what to do and what not to do with the limited resources you have. Your strategy includes your target market, your product and service offerings, the business structure, how resources are allocated, and how you will transform the business. As finance and accounting professionals, we need to do our best in supporting and help to develop the best strategy. We have access to data and information to assist us. Episode outline: Use the right m...

Bonus episode #14: Adapting to a People Focused Leadership style will create a dynamic environment where you develop and empower your team instead of only trying to complete items off your to-do list. There are three significant reasons to change your leadership style from being Task Focused to Becoming People Focused: 1) You can not do the work alone - you need a well developed team, 2) Productivity, effectiveness will increase as your team feels more appreciated and involved, and 3) The busi...

Episode # 33: Why do teams fail? Often, leaders don't realize their teams or organizations are failing due to complacency. It's not usually the product or service line that has caused the failure, but actually ineffective communication or a lack of trust. It takes great leadership to turn around failing teams. Episode outline: It starts with us,Determine what the real problem is,Creating a shared purpose, set of values, and standards, and,Build trust. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagr...

Episode # 32: We should be building sustainable businesses that can outlast an economic downturn with no or minimal employee layoffs. Long-term sustainability can be achieved by getting more creative in generating new lines of revenue. The year 2020 taught us that you must never get complacent with the business model. Keep looking at new ways to bring in revenue. Episode outline: We can never be complacent with the business model, We must include crisis situations into our long term models and...

Episode # 31: Financial Analysts help grow the business by digging in to the how and the why to financial transactions to find patterns and insights. These patterns can help find a way to leverage your offers to increase sales. Additionally, costs can be saved by finding efficiencies within the expenses. Episode outline: Figure out the why and how regarding data around financial transactions, Help to validate the strategy through the analysis of key metrics, and Partner with senior leaders so...

Bonus episode # 13: Purpose gives us the reason for what we do, and why we show up every day. It's our job as leaders to communicate purpose to our team members so they better understand how they contribute to the organization and can get excited about the brand. When we know our purpose, we can better support the customer. Purpose is what we do, and vision is where we are going. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsu...

Examining Sports through a Leadership lens can aid us in better overcoming adversity. In the episode introduction, I am discussing using how the sports leagues re-started their seasons in 2020 through very difficult adversity. To accomplish your goals, we often have to overcome obstacles and adversity. This week I am sharing an encore episode from Season 2 on Becoming Your Best Self. Becoming Your Best Self is essential when you are developing your leadership ability, because when you lead oth...

Earning a Certification adds great value to your professional foundation and can boost your earnings and career potential. Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 2 about Earning a Professional Certification. Season 4 will debut on November 10, 2020. Thank you for the great support! 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. ...

Finance and Accounting professionals have a great opportunity to be so much more than the expert who does analysis or prepares financial statements. We can help shape the business so it achieves its full potential. Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 2 on Building Resiliency. Season 4 will debut on November 10, 2020. Thank you for the great support! You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to develop your leaders...

Episode # 30: We need to transition to a Trusted Business Advisor so we help leaders from around the company to grow and develop the business. As Finance and Accounting professionals, we have insights that others often do not have. Episode outline: Tell a story with the numbers, Work with your IT team to make reporting better, and, Partner with leaders at all levels around the company. Please connect with me on: 1. Instagram: stephen.mclain 2. Twitter: smclainiii 3. Facebook: stephenmclainc...

Episode # 29: Leaders make decisions every day. You must become comfortable making decisions. There are many types of decisions, and it's critical that as leaders, we make timely decisions so we can move forward. We should not dwell on "what-ifs" or have regret. Make the decision and move on. In the episode, I discuss the following steps to overcoming indecisiveness: Change your mindset, Know what kind of decision you are making, Write down the details of the decision, Consult with your expe...