The Finance Leader Podcast

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 feed...

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: stephenmclainco...

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...

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 everyo...

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 #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 yo...

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.  The episode follows this outline: Leadership starts with our mindset, Our personal character is key, We m...

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 po...

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.  The episode uses the following outline: We...

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.  ...

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. Team culture is covered using the following ou...

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 out...

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 hav...

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 com...

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...

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.   I high...

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 t...

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. ...

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...

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.  During the episode, the following areas are discussed: Work on your executive prese...

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 yo...

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 o...

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-impo...

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?  Th...

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. I talk about Goal Setting in 2021 within the following 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. You can download the Leadership Growth Bluepr...