Send us a text This upcoming week is New Year’s Day. The New Year gives us a great opportunity to start over, to start fresh. To begin anew. The New Year provides us the chance to address our goals, but never New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are fleeting thoughts of impossibilities because they are not rooted in a plan or reality. A goal has a plan. A goal is measurable, its specific, it has a completion date, and it is written down. A goal has realistic planning around it. Here is a recap of...
Dec 29, 2020•4 min
Send us a text Hope has always been my most significant way of moving forward, dealing with adversity, and becoming more resilient. Hope is what keeps me going. I know that tomorrow and next week will be better. No matter what happens to me today….tomorrow is better. Today is already here….tomorrow will give me relief. Tomorrow is where I reside and see the great possibilities. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to de...
Dec 22, 2020•3 min
Send us a text A spreadsheet can be an amazing tool to analyze data or create a report, when planned out and organized properly. Our spreadsheet files should be simple and easy to use by all members of our team. Leaders should set expectations on how analyst tools should be created and maintained by their teams. Let’s create analyst tools that deliver what we need, but also easy to use, easy to understand, and easy to maintain. In the episode, I discuss the following on how to make more effectiv...
Dec 15, 2020•16 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text Strategy is often a set of tough choices of what to do and what not to do with the limited resources you have. Your strategy includes your target market, your product and service offerings, the business structure, how resources are allocated, and how you will transform the business. As finance and accounting professionals, we need to do our best in supporting and help to develop the best strategy. We have access to data and information to assist us. In the episode, I discuss the f...
Dec 08, 2020•16 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text Adapting to a People Focused Leadership style will create a dynamic environment where you develop and empower your team instead of only trying to complete items off your to-do list. There are three significant reasons to change your leadership style from being Task Focused to Becoming People Focused: 1) You can not do the work alone - you need a well developed team, 2) Productivity, effectiveness will increase as your team feels more appreciated and involved, and 3) The business o...
Dec 01, 2020•20 min
Send us a text Why do teams fail? Often, leaders don't realize their teams or organizations are failing due to complacency. It's not usually the product or service line that has caused the failure, but actually ineffective communication or a lack of trust. It takes great leadership to turn around failing teams. In the episode, I discuss four steps to turn around a failing team: It starts with us, Determine what the real problem is, Creating a shared purpose, set of values, and standards, and, Bu...
Nov 24, 2020•16 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text We should be building sustainable businesses that can outlast an economic downturn with no or minimal employee layoffs. Long-term sustainability can be achieved by getting more creative in generating new lines of revenue. The year 2020 taught us that you must never get complacent with the business model. Keep looking at new ways to bring in revenue. The following points are discussed in the episode: We can never be complacent with the business model, We must include crisis situati...
Nov 17, 2020•20 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text Financial Analysts help grow the business by digging in to the how and the why to financial transactions to find patterns and insights. These patterns can help find a way to leverage your offers to increase sales. Additionally, costs can be saved by finding efficiencies within the expenses. Episode outline: Figure out the why and how regarding data around financial transactions, Help to validate the strategy through the analysis of key metrics, and Partner with senior leaders so t...
Nov 10, 2020•24 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Send us a text Purpose gives us the reason for what we do, and why we show up every day. It's our job as leaders to communicate purpose to our team members so they better understand how they contribute to the organization and can get excited about the brand. When we know our purpose, we can better support the customer. Purpose is what we do, and vision is where we are going. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to devel...
Nov 03, 2020•13 min
Send us a text Examining Sports through a Leadership lens can aid us in better overcoming adversity. In the episode introduction, I am discussing using how the sports leagues re-started their seasons in 2020 through very difficult adversity. To accomplish your goals, we often have to overcome obstacles and adversity. This week I am sharing an encore episode from Season 2 on Becoming Your Best Self. Becoming Your Best Self is essential when you are developing your leadership ability, because when...
Oct 27, 2020•27 min
Send us a text Earning a Certification adds great value to your professional foundation and can boost your earnings and career potential. Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 2 about Earning a Professional Certification. Season 4 will debut on November 10, 2020. Thank you for the great support! 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 communication, and growing and empowerin...
Oct 20, 2020•13 min
Send us a text Finance and Accounting professionals have a great opportunity to be so much more than the expert who does analysis or prepares financial statements. We can help shape the business so it achieves its full potential. Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 2 on Building Resiliency. Season 4 will debut on November 10, 2020. Thank you for the great support! You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to develop...
Oct 13, 2020•24 min
Send us a text We need to transition to a Trusted Business Advisor so we help leaders from around the company to grow and develop the business. As Finance and Accounting professionals, we have insights that others often do not have. In the episode, I have three recommendations: Tell a story with the numbers, Work with your IT team to make reporting better, and, Partner with leaders at all levels around the company. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Manag...
Oct 06, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Send us a text Leaders make decisions every day. You must become comfortable making decisions. There are many types of decisions, and it's critical that as leaders, we make timely decisions so we can move forward. We should not dwell on "what-ifs" or have regret. Make the decision and move on. In the episode, I discuss the following steps to overcoming indecisiveness: Change your mindset, Know what kind of decision you are making, Write down the details of the decision, Consult with your experts...
Sep 29, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Send us a text We must continue to improve the monthly close process so we add value and help our senior leaders do their jobs better with valuable insights about the business. Monthly close isn't only to close the books, but to really figure out what happened so we can determine if the business met expectations and we can make necessary adjustments. Monthly close requires leadership to improve the process. Episode outline: Map out the process - does it make sense? Let analysts be analysts, and ...
Sep 22, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Send us a text Understanding Emotional Intelligence is our ability to be self-aware of our own words, actions, and attitude and how it affects others. We need to know ourselves so we can become a better leader who can inspire and create a positive environment where our team can thrive. I discuss the topic using the following points: Our actions and words affect others so we must become self-aware Understanding and caring for others Stay humble, continue to learn, and set the example, and We stil...
Sep 15, 2020•17 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Send us a text Collaboration done right can help solve problems by using the expertise and knowledge around the organization. When you collaborate with others, you get the benefit of the insights that you may have missed when working alone. In the episode, I discuss the following: How collaboration can solve a problem You need to build trust and set clear expectations Getting the right people involved Communicate the results across the company You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for...
Sep 08, 2020•19 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Send us a text Growing your influence is a key step in your journey in becoming a senior leader. You have a unique role, because you have the opportunity to speak with many leaders across the organization. This provides a chance to talk about how to best support the strategy and to share ideas where the organization should be going in the future. In the episode, I discuss three areas to consider when growing your influence: 1) Our ability to influence others begins with us, 2) Understand your po...
Sep 01, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us a text We are obligated to speak up about a decision if it's not in the best interest of the organization. In this episode, I discuss four steps to professionally disagree with your supervisor about a pending decision, Be in the proper mindset, Our approach and method, Bring data, analysis, and options to discuss, If your recommendation and concerns are dismissed, then we fully support the decision. You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here...
Aug 25, 2020•17 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us a text Your habits often define who you are, and what you can accomplish. In the episode, I recommend five habits that you can incorporate into your day, Improve your morning and evening routines, How can you reduce your mid-day stress, Better time management, Written goals, and, Team communication. Here is the blog post on scheduling time on your calendar for thinking . You can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers here. You can use this guide to d...
Aug 18, 2020•21 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Send us a text You need a well-trained team behind you, because you can't get all the work done alone. To go to a higher level, you need an empowered and trained team ready to take on challenges. In Finance and Accounting, we deal with a hectic list of tasks, reports, additional analysis, and monthly close. We need a team ready to help us get all the requirements done. In the episode, I discuss, You need to set the team culture you need to achieve excellence, Take risk and better understand the ...
Aug 11, 2020•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us a text You must set yourself apart from your peers so you get recognized by senior leaders and advance your career. Just doing your job every day will not get you promoted. Only completing tasks that have been assigned to you won’t help you advance. I discuss five areas that can help set you apart from your peers: Grow your leadership skills and abilities, Make sure you make your boss's priorities your priorities, Get things done without being told and get it done with little guidance, A...
Aug 04, 2020•24 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us a text You can have a great Impact as a Leader in your organization. In this episode, I talk about why I love to lead, and the positive impacts we get to make in our organization. While we perform our Finance and Accounting duties, we can get overwhelmed while delivering financial projections, completing our journal entries, and conducting monthly close procedures, but we also have a great responsibility to create an environment where our team can grow and thrive. As leaders, here are a ...
Jul 28, 2020•20 min
Send us a text Leadership development can set you apart from your peers so you can advance your career. This podcast is hosted and produced by Stephen McLain, a U.S. Army-Retired Finance Officer. After retirement, Stephen transitioned to working as a Team Member and Business Consultant in Corporate Finance and Accounting. In the Finance and Accounting professions, we tend to have great technical expertise, but there is a leadership skills gap. This podcast will be dedicated to leadership develop...
Jul 24, 2020•53 sec
Send us a text Writing down your goals gives you a significantly greater chance of success according to numerous studies going back decades. When goal setting, you must be specific, have a defined date of completion, review them often, and update regularly. In the episode, I highlight my goal setting process which includes: having the right mindset, ensuring you have a supportive inner circle, develop a strategy, nurture your network, and assess and update your goals regularly. You can download ...
Jul 21, 2020•26 min
Send us a text Your mindset determines your outcome. How you view yourself and how you view the world will affect your career potential. In the episode, we discuss the following: 1) Leadership is the embodiment of making the impossible possible, 2) Mindset determines everything, 3) What is holding you back? 4) You can only control yourself and how you view your abilities, 5) Remove negative influences from your life, 6) Our team will adopt our mindset, so we need to be self-aware of our own. You...
Jul 14, 2020•18 min
Send us a text Values make up our personal character. This week's episode is about the seven key leader values that we should strive to improve daily. These values show how we lead, and how we deal with tough decisions. Are we fair? Can we be humble? Are we an expert in our field? We are discussing humility, professionalism, technical competence, respect, duty, integrity, and courage. How you approach your duties affects your team members. We must be working to have a personal character that wil...
Jul 07, 2020•21 min
Send us a text Becoming Your Best Self is essential when you are developing your leadership ability, because when you lead others you should be your best version to encourage growth and development while avoiding toxic behavior. During the episode, I discuss Becoming Your Best Self using the following focus areas: Continuous improvement, Develop a deep respect for others, and Take the high road when dealing with an adverse event or personal setback. You can download the show notes here . For mor...
Jun 30, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text Executive Presence represents your ability to confidently lead an organization in a positive way, show respect for others, solve problems, and anticipate the future. In the episode, I talk about Executive Presence in terms of looking like a leader, acting like a leader, and becoming a leader. You can download the show notes here . Please visit stephenmclain.com for more resources. You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from Finance Leader Academy . It's call...
Jun 23, 2020•17 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text Writing down your goals gives you a significantly greater chance of success according to numerous studies going back decades. When goal setting, you must be specific, have a defined date of completion, review them often, and update regularly. In the episode, I highlight my goal setting process which includes: having the right mindset, ensuring you have a supportive inner circle, develop a strategy, nurture your network, and assess and update your goals regularly. You can download ...
Jun 16, 2020•20 min•Season 2Ep. 8
