We’ve been doing quite a bit of teaching about personality recently, using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and DISC profiles as the basis to lead self-discovery among individuals and teams. This work is inspiring and insightful, and we see the difference it makes as people begin to understand facets of their personality and how it […]
Sep
19th
2014
On July 4th, we’ll celebrate the 238th anniversary of the incorporation of our fine nation, the United States of America. The entrepreneurial spirit that has defined our nation was certainly in full glory when our founding fathers founded our country where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were – and are – critical core […]
Jul
2nd
2014
I’m writing this from the AICPA Practitioners Symposium and TECH+ Conference in Las Vegas. It’s day two and in all of the sessions, all of the discussions, the LOUDEST theme is PEOPLE! If you tune into the Twitter feed at #PSTech, you’ll see what I mean. Topics range from the shortage of experienced staff, the […]
Jun
11th
2014
I have the privilege of working with CPA firms of various sizes, cultures and geographies. While there is incredible diversity in the firms we serve, there are also a lot of similarities, especially related to challenges. Every once in a while, though, we encounter firms that seem to function at a higher level than the […]
May
22nd
2014
“I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible.” ― Oprah Winfrey Spring is here, although admittedly, the weather in Nebraska doesn’t much feel like it. Even so, this is the time of year when we begin to think of cleaning up our yards, flower beds, sweeping out our garages, […]
Apr
4th
2014
78 million Baby Boomers, born from 1946-1964 need to transfer responsibility, wealth, and assets over the next 12-15 years. It might be easy to lull yourself into believing that the impact of this is a ways off. But studies estimate that 10,000 to 12,000 people are retiring every day and the impact in firms (and […]
Jan
17th
2014
Thanksgiving is a time for counting our blessings and feeling and sharing our gratitude. I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of gratitude and how great it can make you feel to stop and recount the gifts you’ve received. And, when I ponder something, I begin reading and researching it. First of all, there’s […]
Nov
27th
2013
In my leadership development work, I have the privilege of working with high-potential rising stars within firms. In the past few years, we’ve noticed that an increasing number of those participating in our programs come to us with a reticence to speak up. And I don’t mean speak their mind. I mean simply talking more […]
Oct
24th
2013
As we reflect this week on the sobering and difficult events of September 11, 2001, most of us experience a range of emotions, from anger that it happened, deep sadness for the loss of life, empathy for the families that suffered loss, to profound appreciation for the heroics of the first responders and the continued […]
Sep
11th
2013
…a good book. My good friend and client, Leon Janks, recently gave the book Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar to each of his nearly 100 team members and he was kind enough to give me a copy, too. It turns out that Ben-Shahar is the teacher of one of Harvard’s most popular courses, Positive Psychology, and […]
Aug
14th
2013
On July 4th, we’ll celebrate the 237th anniversary of the incorporation of our fine nation, the United States of America. The entrepreneurial spirit that has defined our nation was certainly in full glory when our founding fathers struck out on their own to found an independent entity where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness […]
Jul
3rd
2013
“Selfishness is that detestable vice which no one will forgive in others, and no one is without in himself.” – Henry Ward Beecher We all want to be known as being selfless and generous to a fault. No one, including me, wants to admit to having a selfish interest in their relationships with others. But […]
May
29th
2013
“One of the things we desperately need is a spiritual renewal in this country. We need a spiritual revival in America.” –Billy Graham With the spring tax filing season successfully behind us, we have an opportunity to start fresh and focus our energies on renewing our body, mind, and spirit for the important tasks that […]
Apr
16th
2013
If You Can’t See It, Should You Believe It? My oldest daughter wrote an essay recently on the Holocaust book Night by Elie Wiesel. Even though the book illustrates the hopelessness of this unspeakable event, in true form to her wonderful personality, my daughter chose the subject of faith as the basis for her essay. […]
Apr
4th
2013
Yesterday, I had three conversations with leaders of firms in completely different geographies and of a variety of sizes about slightly different yet completely related topics: a lack of traction in a mentoring program, an inability to get engagement reviews completed by both staff and managers and concerns that a partner group didn’t have enough […]
Feb
27th
2013
Bringing Hope Back I have decided that 2013 will be the year that I focus on, generate and spread one of the most powerful, yet underrated feelings you can experience: HOPE. According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, when you have hope, you “expect with confidence – or trust” that something you want to happen will or […]
Jan
16th
2013
With Gratitude I am the luckiest person on the planet. First, God allowed me to be born into a great (great!) family. I still get to text every day with my mom, and eat at least one meal with both parents most weeks. My mom is a mix of Maria Von Trapp, Mary Poppins, Dr. […]
Nov
20th
2012
Drive Change In BOTH Mechanics AND Behavior “The very best practice mechanics you devise – new plans, programs, and processes – will only succeed when you pay careful attention to the human behavior around those mechanics.” Me to Our Clients, Everyday! I am a change agent. I make my living helping individuals, teams and organizations […]
Sep
19th
2012
I am writing this blog to firm leaders. I don’t know how many times I have had Managing Partners or Executive Committee members share a story of a poor performing and/or poor behaving partner that they have let go. Inevitably in the conversation, they will say, “We had all of these reasons why we couldn’t […]
Sep
7th
2012
Like many of you, my family has been glued to the Olympic coverage each evening, rooting furiously for our athletes and experiencing what announcer Jim McKay referred to as the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” Because I’m not a very good television-only participant, as I watch the games, I’ve been wondering: what […]
Aug
1st
2012
