Episodes

Send us Fan Mail 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: ste...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Fina...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Leade...

Send us Fan Mail 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 experie...

Send us Fan Mail 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 o...

Send us Fan Mail 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 organi...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Pleas...

Send us Fan Mail 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 te...

Send us Fan Mail 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 discov...

Send us Fan Mail 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 a...

Send us Fan Mail 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 ...

Send us Fan Mail 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 cult...