Stephen McLain

The Finance Leader Podcast

Business EN ↓ 252 episodes

Organizations have a greater chance of success when Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Accounting, Operations, and the Executive Senior Leadership are more strategically aligned. Developing Finance Leaders capable of growing partnerships across the organization and leading positive change are the goals for this podcast.  The host is Stephen McLain, a U.S. Army-Retired Finance Officer. After retirement, Stephen transitioned to working as a Business Consultant in Corporate FP&A and Accounting.  Topics will be dedicated to finance leadership development, "The CFO Mindset", improving processe...

Author

Stephen McLain

Category

Business

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Building the Future of Contract Management - Interview with the CEO of Concord Worldwide, Matt Lhoumeau 15.04.2025

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 tradition...

Challenging Your Thought Process 08.04.2025

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—...

A Review of Personal Accountability to Continue Your Pathway Towards Success 01.04.2025

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 th...

Outdated Processes: The Silent Killer of Company Growth 26.03.2025

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 accura...

Leadership Essentials Revisited 18.03.2025

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 re...

Building High-Performance Teams Through Leadership and Communication 12.03.2025

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 envi...

Are Competitors Affecting Your Customer Traffic? 04.03.2025

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 suc...

Want to Boost Team Performance? Here’s How to Coach Better! 25.02.2025

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 ele...

Become a Proactive Leader with Situational Awareness 20.02.2025

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 p...

Leaders Must Set a Great Example of Focus During Times of Unpredictability 11.02.2025

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 leader...

Mastering Genuine Positivity Without the Pitfalls 04.02.2025

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...

Stay on Track for Long-Term Success - Our First Check-in for 2025 29.01.2025

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 progre...

Embracing Change and Driving Success for Finance Leaders 22.01.2025

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 foun...

Empower Your Career by Building More Confidence 15.01.2025

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 purp...

Personal Accountability Strategy for Success in 2025 08.01.2025

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...

On to 2025: What Are You Planning in the Upcoming Year? 31.12.2024

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 t...

Plan a Leadership Reset and Rest Before the New Year 24.12.2024

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: s...

From Challenges to Opportunities in Leadership 17.12.2024

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...

Using Leadership to Turn the Year-End Chaos into Achievement 10.12.2024

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, w...

Transforming Leadership: Developing Leader's Eyes to Identify and Solve Problems 03.12.2024

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 kn...

Empowering Leadership: Overcoming Team Frustrations and Building Confidence 12.11.2024

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 communica...

Mike Manalac, Accounting Manager at Google Interview - Navigating Career Changes in Accounting 24.09.2024

Episode 126: Ever wondered how to transition from the demanding world of public accounting to a prestigious industry role? Join us as we sit down with Mike Manalac, Accounting Manager at Google and former PwC and Walmart accountant. Mike shares his incredible journey and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. From the rigorous training environments of Big Four firms to the nuances...

Building a Successful and Healthy Work Environment: An Introduction to Helping Your Team Thrive 18.09.2024

Episode 125: What if your workplace could be a source of joy and fulfillment rather than stress and dread? Join us this week on the Finance Leader Podcast as we uncover powerful strategies to transform your work environment into a thriving ecosystem where every team member feels valued and empowered. You’ll learn how to set realistic expectations, appreciate your team effectively, and utilize comp...

Leadership is the Most Important Skill to Develop: Empower Your Team for Innovation and Success 22.08.2024

Episode 124 - Join me as I explore why leadership is the cornerstone of creating positive change and achieving extraordinary results in finance and accounting. Learn how to coach your team effectively, helping them present their findings with confidence and develop innovative solutions that stand out in today’s competitive landscape. With practical advice and real-world examples, I'll guide y...

Transform Your Success in 2024: Mastering SMART Goals with a Growth Mindset 25.06.2024

Bonus Episode 75: Are you following our Mid-Year Goal Review Challenge: financeleaderacademy.com/Goalchallenge ? Ready to transform your goal-setting game and make 2024 your most successful year yet? Join us in this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, as we reveal how setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based—can truly set you apart. We'l...

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