Leaders: Open Yourself to Change
Source: Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders
The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, from an article by Rita Keller.
Why aren't the owners (partners, directors, members, shareholders) open to change?
Seth Godin has some observations that pretty much describe the life in a CPA firm. I've tweaked his thoughts somewhat to apply to the CPA profession. Godin talks about three things we seek from a coworker, boss, or friend:
- Open. Open to new ideas, leaning forward, exploring the edges, impatient with status quo… In a hurry to make something worth making. Experienced CPAs are in a hurry to meet government and client deadlines and it pretty much stops there. Challenge yourself to become more impatient with status quo.
- Generous. Restless to find opportunities to be generous. Focused on giving people dignity, respect, and the chance to speak up. Aware that the single most effective way to move forward is to help others move forward as well. This year invest in sending some young accountants to a management conference or to a workshop in public speaking, supervising others and so on.
- Connected. Part of the community, not apart from it. Hooked into the realities and dreams of the tribe. Able and interested in not only cheering people on, but shining a light on how they can accomplish their goals. In some of the larger firms (or firm offices) these days, team members tell me that some of the partners don't even know their names.
Want to have a growing, successful, profitable, fun and cool firm. As an owner, realize the fact that your own dreams can come true if you support others first.
For the complete article, read, “Firm Leaders – Are You Open, Generous and Connected?”
From Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders, the newsletter of Rita Keller, March 2013, [email protected].