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DateTitreDurée
08 Feb 2022076: How an Effective Individual Development Plan Can Help You Advance Your Career00:14:42

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You may have a dream for what you want to accomplish, but that dream can only be realized if you have a written plan that makes sense. A written plan that accounts for more than what your organization is asking you to do. A well thought out written plan is the key to accomplishing your long-term goal and your dreams. 


Episode outline:

  1. Our Individual Development Plan is a commitment to ourselves,
  2. Critical components of the IDP often overlooked,
  3. An effective IDP goes beyond what your organization is asking you to do,
  4. Your IDP must be assessed and updated often, and
  5. Ensure you include learning leadership in your plan.



Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

15 Feb 2022Five Pillars of Career Advancement for Finance and Accounting Professionals00:13:30

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Episode 77: What does it take to advance your career? There are many decisions and pathways you can take. There are lots of choices, but how do you prepare yourself for the best chance of advancing to senior leader roles? In this episode, I will highlight the five pillars of career advancement which can help you move in the right direction, so you have the best chance for achieving your dream role. And what do you when you approach an obstacle in your career advancement? Do you accept it or do you keep going? 

Episode outline:

  1. Build your professional foundation,
  2. Ensure you have a growth mindset,
  3. Develop your leadership skills,
  4. Take risk, and
  5. Always advocate for yourself.



Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

22 Feb 2022078: Leaders Should Publish Leadership Tips to Help Grow Future Leaders00:14:16

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The greatest responsibility we have is to grow other leaders so I want to encourage you to share your leadership tips by publishing them to reach a greater audience. Never stop trying to positively influence the next generation of leaders. 

Episode outline:

  1. Growing others is our greatest responsibility,
  2. Share so you can positively influence, 
  3. Publishing helps you grow as a leader, and
  4. Methods of sharing and publishing.



Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

01 Mar 2022079: Create a More Positive Work Environment For Your Team00:15:03

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Can your team members thrive in their current work environment? As leaders, we have standards to uphold, tasks to get done, and a strategy to execute, but do our team members believe they are treated well, are their voices heard, and do they have opportunities for growth and development? 

How much time do you invest in your team members?  When you lead a team, you have more responsibility than only completing tasks on a list, you have people who are looking to you to help them accomplish their goals. The greatest responsibility we have is to grow other leaders, and we do that by creating an environment of support, learning, and development. 

Episode outline:

  1. Are your team members thriving?
  2. What would your team say about you in an anonymous survey?
  3. Are you helping your team members to grow and win? and
  4. What can you do to create a more positive environment?



Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

08 Mar 2022080: A Tough Conversation on Advocating for Yourself so you Advance Your Career00:13:20

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You need to be advocating for yourself when it comes to career opportunities, for raises, for promotions, to be on high visibility projects, for time off, for the right boundaries, and the list goes on. I am particularly speaking to the group of Finance and Accounting professionals who are truly dedicated and don’t ask for much in return. It’s time that you get rewarded for your hard work and you need to take action for these to happen. Start advocating for yourself and for your advancement today. No more accepting the first no you hear when it comes to asking for something beneficial for you. Advocate for key opportunities and advocate for yourself. 

Episode outline:

  1. Advocate for yourself, because no one else will,
  2. You must clearly communicate your needs, 
  3. Set healthy boundaries and expectations, and
  4. Own your career and your future.



Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

15 Mar 2022Bonus Episode 34: Achieve Your Goals in 202200:17:29

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Please enjoy this encore episode. I am working on Season 10, which well debut on April 12. 

We are in the new year, and I believe that 2022 will be your best year to date. This will be a time to develop a plan of action for what’s important to you that includes your career AND your personal life. It can be the blueprint for setting your personal priorities and ensuring you don’t forget the important events in your life AND that you live, grow, and thrive with no regrets.

Episode outline:

  1. Setting the right priorities for your life,
  2. Adopt winning habits including a self-care routine,
  3. Embrace a growth mindset,
  4. Prepare for challenges,
  5. Write out and continually update your goals, and
  6. Synchronize your plan with the people in your life.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

22 Mar 2022Bonus Episode 35: Own Your Career So You Accomplish Your Long-Term Goal00:16:48

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Please enjoy this encore episode  from Season 7 - Episode 57 - Own Your Career.

 What happens during your career journey mostly rests upon decisions you make along with your risk comfort level. Are you planning out your career moves or are you waiting on someone else to give you an opportunity? No one is going to seek you out to hand you what you need to achieve your goals and advance your career.

Episode outline:

  1. You are the only person who will care about your career,
  2. Seek out opportunities to stand out,
  3. Embrace taking risk,
  4. Adopt a growth mindset, and
  5. Have a written plan.





Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

29 Mar 2022Bonus Episode 36: Develop Your CFO Mindset00:19:46

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Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 8 - Episode 64 - The CFO Mindset.

The Role of Chief Financial Officer requires a different mindset, a different world view, and a perspective that helps you see the organization differently. The CFO must be forward thinking and must never quit. 

The following outline is used during the episode:

  1. The qualities of the successful c suite executive,
  2. You must pivot your skillset, mindset, and perspective,
  3. Embrace change and embrace adversity,
  4. You must set the right example every day to establish a high standard, and 
  5. You must own your career and your goal accomplishment process.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

05 Apr 2022Bonus Episode 37: What Leaders Do00:18:55

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Please enjoy this encore episode from Season 7 - Episode 62 - What Leaders Do.

The most important responsibility leaders have is to grow other leaders. The first task a great leader will do is to build trust and that begins with our own actions, our attitude, and our behavior. We often get overwhelmed with the tasks, but I want you to shift from a task-focus to a  people-focus leadership style. Lead and set a great example, build trust, and empower your team to create an incredible environment for your team to grow.

I use the following outline during the episode:

  1. Build trust,
  2. Provide clarity within the team,
  3. Develop others, and 
  4. Let’s talk about a few leaders tools we have



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

12 Apr 2022081: Finance and Accounting Professionals Becoming Leaders00:16:20

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When Finance and Accounting professionals combine their technical knowledge and skills with leadership, we will see an amazing transformation in every organization. Successful Finance and Accounting Leaders skew to the strategic and learn how to positively influence and advise senior leaders, so they help deliver the strategy. An effective leader works to empower their team, to develop influence to bring positive change, and will work to find a solution when financial expectations have not been met. Leading during adversity is the real challenge. 

Episode outline:
1) Leaders skew toward the strategic,
2) Combine Leadership with finance and accounting technical expertise,
3) Use leadership when financial expectations fall short, and
4) Leadership tools to use every day.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

19 Apr 2022082: Encore Episode - Learn Leadership00:16:32

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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. 

Episode outline:

  1. Leadership starts with our mindset,
  2. Our personal character is key,
  3. We must lead and influence necessary change, and 
  4. A few areas we can positively change.



Please connect with me on:


Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

26 Apr 2022083: Key Business Social Skills00:15:01

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Did you know that business social skills are equally important as your technical and other soft skills? How you act socially can determine your next opportunity. How you conduct yourself in a public situation such as a meeting or at an after-work event or even on a project team can bring you closer or take you away from advancing in your career. How do you navigate these often-complicated situations? Be aware that your actions, facial expressions and even the very words you choose can make others pass judgment on your favorability.
 
Episode outline:

  1. Be respectful of others,
  2. Reading the room,
  3. Let’s talk about a few key social skills: Authenticity, Approachability, Be present, Empathy, and Collaboration, and
  4. Refine and improve your executive presence.




Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

03 May 2022084: Do Finance and Accounting Professionals Need a Graduate Degree00:13:31

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Should you earn a graduate degree? As a Finance and Accounting professional, a graduate degree will strengthen and round out your professional foundation and help to give you credibility as an expert in the field, which will serve to gain you respect. Further, earning a graduate degree can open additional opportunities for you to advance your career and could increase your earnings potential. Let’s address if a graduate degree is the right career move for you.

Episode outline:
1) Graduate degree trends from the field,
2) Is earning a graduate degree for me,
3) Which degree should I pursue, and 
4) How should I plan for it?



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

10 May 2022085: Inspire Your Team to Win00:14:20

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We are a primary source of inspiration and motivation for our team members. How we act and speak and make decisions serves to encourage, or even discourage, our team members as they tackle tough assignments and tasks. How we approach the work and adversity does have ripple effects on team productivity and morale. How can we do better, as leaders, to encourage our team members to be inspired, which then can translate into higher productivity, without being abusive?   

Episode outline:

  1. Great leaders bring out the best in their team,
  2. Let’s set a great example,
  3. Set a realistic vision, and 
  4. Help others achieve their purpose and goals.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

17 May 2022086: Project Teams Provide Opportunities to Grow Your Skills and Enhance Your Career00:14:41

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As a Finance or Accounting professional have you ever been assigned to a project team or worked on a business case?  Have you provided financial analysis or accounting advice regarding a high visibility project? These are great opportunities to develop and show off your skills. Additionally, you may get visibility with the executive team and other senior leaders. This week, I am encouraging you to seek out high visibility projects to showcase your skills and abilities, which will also help you grow your professional portfolio.
 
Episode outline:
1) Project teams are great opportunities,
2) What skills you need to bring,
3) Grow your network, and
4) Strengthen your professional foundation.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

24 May 2022087: Let's Talk About Your Self-Worth00:14:47

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Your long-term success and how you feel about yourself are directly affected by your self-worth and your confidence level.  What you believe in yourself affects your ability to take risk and feel confident about what roles and challenges may be next for you. Your mindset is powerful, and this requires a daily exercise of self-care to strengthen yourself against the adversity you will face and to give you confidence to go after your long-term goal.

Episode outline:
1) Build a healthy approach in how we see ourselves,
2) Know your self-worth,
3) Practice great self-care, and
4) Taking risk is key to growth and opportunity. 



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

31 May 2022088: Earning a Promotion to Manager00:15:01

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Are you on track for a promotion? What does it take to be promoted from individual contributor to manager? You must show potential for greater responsibility. You need a combination of mature soft skills, good character and high emotional intelligence, deliver results every time, and be able to treat people fairly without bias. If you can prioritize your actions correctly, clearly communicate a vision, and follow through with incredible results, you will be in line for promotion to manager in no time. 

Episode outline:

  1. Be of good character, strong ethics, and have a never-quit attitude,
  2. Over deliver on results,
  3. Develop the key soft skills,
  4. Know how to prioritize, and
  5. Show potential for greater responsibility.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

07 Jun 2022089: Become a Better Leader by Checking Your Bias00:14:20

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As a leader, you will make many decisions. You will have choices to make. But how do you guard yourself against bias? How do you ensure fairness in opportunity and in how your team is treated? We must be aware of any bias we have both, conscious and subconscious, to ensure all have the opportunity if they do the hard work to improve themselves and to be ready for the next level. Further, we need to check our bias in all problem-solving activities and projects.

Episode outline:

  1. Building trust is the cornerstone of leadership,
  2. Root causes of our bias,
  3. Confirmation bias reinforces our own position, and
  4. How do we overcome bias?



 Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

14 Jun 2022090: Become a Startup Company CFO00:15:16

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If you own a start-up or will be founding one soon, consider adding a finance leader to your team as soon as possible. You will have a teammate who can help you understand cash-flow and profitability from Day 1. They can help you instill financial discipline immediately and provide legitimacy for potential investors. A finance or accounting professional gives your team someone who can provide key advice on tax implications, cash burn rates, corporate structure, and adding value as you navigate a challenging marketplace and economy. 

Episode outline:

  1. Provide important finance leadership from Day 1,
  2. Develop finance information systems that make sense,
  3. Understand cash flow, measuring profitability, and publishing financial statements, and
  4. Establishes more legitimacy for key stakeholders.



 Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

21 Jun 2022Bonus Episode 38: What To Do First in a New Work Role00:15:27

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Please enjoy this encore episode....You have assumed a new role at a new company. What are your first steps? What do you do first so you set yourself up for success? Those first few weeks can determine how well you know your role, and more importantly, who do you need to meet, what systems do you need to learn, and what are the details about the company’s culture. Your first actions in a new role will be critical to your success, so plan carefully and embrace learning and meeting new people. 

Episode outline:

  1. Embrace onboarding and ask questions,
  2. Learn the culture and live it,
  3. Know your manager’s priorities and their manager’s priorities,
  4. Build your internal network, and 
  5. Build credibility immediately and add value.



==>> Link to Preview Course:  Click here Or go to Finance Leader Academy, click Shop to find the course. Thank you!


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
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3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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28 Jun 2022Bonus Episode 39: Our Habits Contribute to Our Success00:15:18

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A habit is a routine behavior that determines our productivity level and our work ethic. Our habits are closely aligned with our mindset and how we approach challenges. Do we embrace wanting to achieve excellence or do you become complacent? Our success is a combination of mindset and habits, plus leadership. I hope that you practice great leadership as the most important habit of all.

Episode outline:

  1. Your habits determine your daily success,
  2. What successful people do to build and reinforce good habits, and 
  3. The most important habit is practicing great leadership.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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05 Jul 2022Bonus Episode 40: Gain an Advantage By Becoming More Self-aware and Reading the Room00:15:33

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Leaders must be self-aware of their thoughts, actions, words and behaviors so they are constantly working to build trust and develop their teams. Self-aware leaders know what is appropriate and what isn’t appropriate. Emotionally intelligent leaders can read the room properly that leads to a positive outcome.

Episode outline:
1) The great leaders are emotionally intelligent,
2) Think before speaking or taking action, and
3) Read the room so you understand the tone and mood of any gathering.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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12 Jul 2022Bonus Episode 41: Using Financial Analysis to Grow the Business00:24:55

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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:

  1. Figure out the why and how regarding data around financial transactions,
  2. Help to validate the strategy through the analysis of key metrics, and
  3. Partner with senior leaders so they better understand their numbers.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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19 Jul 2022Bonus Episode 42: Team Culture00:15:42

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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. The team’s culture determines how well everyone respects each other and works together. Don’t overlook the relationship of team culture and its overall performance. 

Episode outline:

  1. What is Team culture?
  2. How team culture shapes output and productivity,
  3. Your role as leader when it comes to culture,
  4. Assessing your team’s culture, and
  5. How you can adjust the culture



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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26 Jul 2022091: Financial Planning and Analysis00:17:01

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Financial Planning and Analysis provides one of the most critical and powerful functions in the business. Are you resourcing and employing your FP&A Team properly? You need to be continually planning the team’s functions and capabilities as technology changes and the business grows. The FP&A function cannot remain static. It must be growing and changing as conditions change. Your pathway to understanding the key metrics of the business AND if you are achieving your strategy, lies in the commitment to investing in your Financial Planning and Analysis team. 

Episode outline:

  1. Is the business achieving the strategy,
  2. How FP&A can add huge value,
  3. Do they have the right tools,
  4. Invest in your FP&A team, and
  5. Where is FP&A going in the future?



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


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02 Aug 2022092: Using Validated Data00:15:47

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We work with data every day in finance and accounting. The data leads us to insights and relevant information. This is why it’s important that our data is clean AND validated. The way to useable information is to ensure we have good data, but do you know what that means, and can you spot bad data when it shows up in your analysis? Know the data you are working with to ensure it leads you to the correct conclusions in your financial analysis or accounting work. Also, if possible, always try to tell a story with the data.
 
Episode outline:

  1. Ensure you have validated data,
  2. Data leads to analysis which leads to useable insights,
  3. Use leadership with your data analysis to make a difference, and
  4. Use data to tell a story.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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09 Aug 2022093: Adopting Artificial Intelligence00:16:54

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This week it’s all about embracing, adopting and using artificial intelligence in our finance and accounting processes. I expect the early adopters to gain a significant competitive advantage as they shift from waiting on data to guiding a system with real time data that solves problems and affects decisions earlier in the process. Earlier than we ever thought we could. It’s time to commit funds in our budgets for systems, hardware, training and even the right people on our teams as we transition to the future. 


Episode outline:

  1. Become open-minded so you learn how AI will help,
  2. AI can create a competitive advantage,
  3. Will lead to improved and more real-time processes, and
  4. Commit funds to future technology and training.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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15 Aug 2022094: Problem Solving00:14:27

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As leaders in Finance and Accounting, we are asked to analyze problems constantly. Leaders solve the critical problems of the organization. We don’t let issues grow into bigger problems. The most difficult part of problem solving is to identify what the real problem is, followed by performing the analysis to develop viable options, and then deciding the solution which is best for the organization moving forward. It sounds easy, but it takes leadership to accept that a problem exists and to be able to commit resources to analyze it and correct it. 

Episode outline:

  1. Developing a problem-solving skill set,
  2. Problem solving is a process,
  3. Sound problem solving leads to better decision making, and
  4. Be a leader in all problem solving and decision making. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

23 Aug 2022095: Leading the Annual Budget Development Process00:15:34

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A successful budget development cycle begins with clearly communicated expectations and coherently executed leadership. You must partner with other leaders to minimize conflict, meet senior leader guidance, and deliver a budget plan that is on target and makes sense. Ensure you apply the strategy to the budget development process to prioritize and maximize the committed resources.

Episode outline:

  1. Link the budget requirements to the strategy,
  2. Communicate expectations early, clearly, and often,
  3. Ensure your budgeting tools meet your needs,
  4. Have a conflict resolution process in place, and
  5. Develop an effective partnership across the company.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

30 Aug 2022Bonus Episode 43: What is Quiet Quitting00:20:07

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I wanted to briefly talk about a trending topic that I have been seeing all over Twitter. You probably heard about it: Quiet Quitting. What does that mean? Well, it’s something that has been happening for a very long time, which is doing your job without probably doing any of the extras. Not going above and beyond. Just ensuring you are doing enough to keep your job.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

06 Sep 2022Bonus Episode 44: Career Advancement00:15:02

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This week, I am sharing an encore replay from Season 9 - Episode 77: Five Pillars of Career Advancement for Finance and Accounting Professionals

What does it take to advance your career? There are many decisions and pathways you can take. There are lots of choices, but how do you prepare yourself for the best chance of advancing to senior leader roles? In this episode, I will highlight the five pillars of career advancement which can help you move in the right direction, so you have the best chance for achieving your dream role. And what do you when you approach an obstacle in your career advancement? Do you accept it or do you keep going? 

Episode outline:

  1. Build your professional foundation,
  2. Ensure you have a growth mindset,
  3. Develop your leadership skills,
  4. Take risk, and
  5. Always advocate for yourself.


Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

13 Sep 2022Bonus Episode 45: Overcome a Challenge00:15:36

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Are you facing a challenge? If so, what are you doing to overcome that challenge? Does it require working with someone on a solution, or is it a challenge that you personally have to solve? Is it a mindset issue? Are you having trouble with a goal?

Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

27 Sep 2022Bonus Episode 46: Do You Have a Support System in Place?00:18:18

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If a crisis happened to you today, do you have a support system in place to help you through it? Who would you call? Who would help you? Having a support system in place is critical for surviving and overcoming an emergency. 

Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

04 Oct 2022Bonus Episode 47: Your Inner Circle Matters00:17:41

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Who you have in your inner circle matters. Who you have around you, and who you associate with regularly affects your mindset, how you approach life, your happiness, and the overall level of your mental, spiritual, and physical fitness. Who you let in your life matters, and it affects everything in your life.

Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

11 Oct 2022Bonus Episode 48: Believe in Yourself and Develop a Wellness Plan00:17:47

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We all need a reminder to believe in ourselves especially when it gets tough, that is, when you face a challenge and then doubt tries to settle in. We are all in a battle to overcome beliefs about our abilities in our mind. Limiting beliefs can take over our mind AND our spirit at any time, which then affects our ability to take risk and seize opportunities. 

Please connect with me:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

20 Oct 2022096: Leading in a Challenging Environment00:16:01

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Are you facing a leadership challenge right now, or soon? Do you even know? Have you been complacent, or are you watching for the signs that change or a business challenge is imminent? When things are going well, it’s easier to lead, but when the business environment changes, it requires a more leadership emphasis from you. Be watchful for business and senior leadership changes and be ready to adapt and lead your team through the challenge, whatever it is.

Episode outline:

  1. Acknowledge the problem,
  2. Lead and take positive action,
  3. Shield your team from everything toxic, and
  4. Energize your team to help solve the problem.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

08 Nov 2022097: Improving Our Productivity00:15:01

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How productive are you during the day? Is your day filled with distractions? Do you have set templates and use your available tools to make your workday easier especially for routine tasks? Having a productive day begins with our mindset. Use the tools you have available to make your work day more productive. Develop systems for routine work. Protect your time and your team and focus on adding value where you can to make a positive impact across the organization. Let’s all have more productive days where we focus our energy and attention on more essential and the most urgent of our tasks.

Episode outline:

  1. Have a plan each day,
  2. Find efficiencies in every task,
  3. Maximize your tools,
  4. Protect your time as best you can, and 
  5. Add value to every task and project you work on. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

15 Nov 2022098: Why Did You Choose a Career in Finance and Accounting?00:08:26

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Why did you choose to work in Finance and Accounting? Did you want to work with numbers? Did you think you would work mostly alone? Were you attracted to the leadership opportunities available? Was it something else or a combination of these? Whatever got you interested, I am urging you to ask yourself if you still maintain that passion you once had? Do you embrace and look forward to leading with the numbers every day? The Finance and accounting fields offer a great opportunity to career track to CEO of an organization.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

23 Nov 2022099: Take More Risk in Your Career00:12:08

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Are you willing to take more risk to ensure you achieve what you want in your career? Or…are you playing it too safe?  Taking risk is often a mindset issue where you can limit yourself and fear stepping out from your comfort zone. Get vulnerable, develop a plan and find the courage to go after what you want to move toward your long-term goal. No one is going to hand it to you so you have to decide to take action to develop your career with the skills and experience you need to move forward. Decide today to go after it and achieve something amazing. 

Episode outline:

  1. Taking risk is about mindset,
  2. Gamble on yourself, and 
  3. What can we change?



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

02 Dec 2022100: The Impact of Finance and Accounting Leadership00:14:11

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Did you know that as a finance and accounting leader you can have a great, positive impact across your organization? Finance and Accounting professionals do more than just analysis and record financial transactions. We help lead change. We bring reality with the numbers. We advise with critical insights and help to shape and execute strategy. Leadership is the ability to communicate a vision that is easily understood by everyone and then…creating a pathway for your team and others to follow. Finance and accounting leadership is critical for an organization, so they apply numbers to strategy and to execution. How are you embracing the role of leader, and…do you yet realize the amazing impact you can have?

Episode outline:

  1. Find relevant insights to help build the business,
  2. Become a business advisor,
  3. Close the communication gap between teams, 
  4. Transform and update our processes always, and
  5. Exercise your leadership ability to bring positive change.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

06 Dec 2022Bonus Episode 49: Know Your Self-Worth00:17:07

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To prepare for 2023, I want you to work on your confidence, to take more risk, and to understand your self-worth even more. What do you bring to the table? What makes you unique in our profession? What value do you bring to the organization? 

Believe that you are important to your team and to your organization. Believe that you can make a difference. Believe that you can be a leader.   


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

13 Dec 2022Bonus Episode 50: Inspire Your Team to Win00:15:31

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Let’s wrap up 2022, but put off new ideas until next year. Enjoy your accomplishments, get some rest, enjoy your family, friends and colleagues, and put things in perspective.

Season 13 will debut on January 10th. We will be talking about our focus, priorities, and goals for 2023.

We are a primary source of inspiration and motivation for our team members. How we act and speak and make decisions serves to encourage, or even discourage, our team members as they tackle tough assignments and tasks. How we approach the work and adversity does have ripple effects on team productivity and morale. How can we do better, as leaders, to encourage our team members to be inspired, which then can translate into higher productivity, without being abusive?   

The outline for the episode is:

  1. Great leaders bring out the best in their team,
  2. Let’s set a great example,
  3. Set a realistic vision, and
  4. Help others achieve their purpose and goals.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

20 Dec 2022Bonus Episode 51: Learn to Enjoy Your Time Off00:02:10

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Do you know how to enjoy your time off when you do take your vacation time? This is important so you can get mentally refreshed. You need a break – you need to clear your mind and ready yourself so you that you can tackle next year. 

Enjoy your time off:

  1. Set boundaries,
  2. Be guilt free for taking time off,
  3. Do not think about what waits for you,
  4. Enjoy the moment, and
  5. Set yourself free.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

28 Dec 2022Bonus Episode 52: Project Team Oppportunities00:16:39

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As a Finance or Accounting professional have you ever been assigned to a project team or worked on a business case?  Have you provided financial analysis or accounting advice regarding a high visibility project? These are great opportunities to develop and show off your skills. Additionally, you may get visibility with the executive team and other senior leaders. This week, I am encouraging you to seek out high visibility projects to showcase your skills and abilities, which will also help you grow your professional portfolio.
 
Episode outline:
1) Project teams are great opportunities,
2) What skills you need to bring,
3) Grow your network, and
4) Strengthen your professional foundation.



Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast  This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

03 Jan 2023Bonus Episode 53: Be Bold in 202300:02:37

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We will be using the acronym BOLD to shape our plans for 2023. BOLD: Believe, Overcome, Leadership, and Decisive. Believe in yourself, Overcome obstacles, Grow your Leadership and Be decisive in your plans and opportunities.

BOLD: Believe, Overcome, Leadership, and Decisive.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

10 Jan 2023101: Be BOLD in 2023 With Your Goal Setting00:14:41

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This is 2023 and I believe this is the year we become bold in our career execution, our skills development, and our leadership growth. The last few years people have become hesitant due to the challenges we were facing so they did not take risk in their advancement or even in their own lives. We don’t know what will happen this year, but there is great opportunity out there to those willing to develop a plan and mindset to go get it. Be BOLD: Believe, Overcome, Leadership, and Decisive. Be bold in your planning and in the execution of your goals.

Episode outline

  1. Take action in your career,
  2. Have a written plan,
  3. Be BOLD in 2023, and
  4. Become a Finance Leader.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

iPhone productivity tip video: Schedule Notifications

Wall Street Journal article:  Why So Many Accountants Are Quitting

Email me about your thoughts on the article: comment@stephenmclain.com

For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

24 Jan 2023102: Use the SMART Goal Setting Method for Better Goal Planning00:09:47

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When we set our goals, let’s use the SMART goal setting methodology so we set realistic goals that we can achieve because we have properly thought through the best way to plan them and achieve them. You know I how I feel about New Years’ resolutions, because at this point, most people have given up on them since they had no solid foundation in being achieved. Let’s plan out goals that make sense for us.

Episode  outline:

  1. Be focused,
  2. The SMART Goal Setting technique, and
  3. Ensure you be BOLD this year. 


1.     SMART goal setting is a method of setting goals that is widely used in business and organizations. The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five criteria are used to ensure that goals are well-defined and achievable.

2.     Specific: A specific goal has a clear target or outcome that is well defined. It should answer the questions of what, why and how

3.     Measurable: A measurable goal can be quantified or tracked in some way. This allows for progress to be monitored and the goal's achievement to be evaluated.

4.     Achievable: The goal should be realistic and attainable. It should be something that can be achieved with the resources and capabilities available.

5.     Relevant: A relevant goal is one that aligns with the overall objectives and mission of the organization or individual.

6.     Time-bound: A goal should have a specific deadline for completion. This creates a sense of urgency and helps to focus efforts towards achieving the goal.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

07 Feb 2023103: Achieve Your Goals00:15:24

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I am sharing what it means to set a plan and then to stay organized and focused so you can go achieve it. You must be persistent, and never quit. You can assess and reorganize, but never quit. What will you do when an obstacle gets in your way?  What will you do when you have distractions? How will you ensure you have the right people around you so they support you? There are so many considerations after put your goals on the page.

Episode outline:

  1. Achievement begins with our mindset,
  2. Setting great habits and a daily routine are key,
  3. Stay organized,
  4. Be persistent,
  5. Ensure you surround yourself with supportive people, and
  6. Develop a plan so you stay focused.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

21 Feb 2023104: Earning Your Professional Credentials00:12:19

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Our professional credentials show our commitment level in  becoming an expert in the finance and accounting fields. These are badges of knowledge and expertise that show our level of technical knowledge, strategy, and in leadership. Earning professional credentials demonstrates our dedication to learning and growing so that we can provide the best level of service and advice in often tough situations. The Finance and accounting fields are constantly evolving as business and the economy changes. Top companies and clients want experts guiding them as they develop and execute an effective strategy in challenging times. Earn your credentials so you achieve a high level of expertise so you are sought after to lead.

Episode outline:

  1. What does it mean by having professional credentials,
  2. Where should you focus, and
  3. Ensure you manage your continuing professional credits throughout the year.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

07 Mar 2023Bonus Episode 54: Earning a Promotion00:17:34

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This week, I am sharing Episode 88, Earning a Promotion to Manager. What does it take to be promoted from individual contributor to manager? You must show potential for greater responsibility. You need a combination of mature soft skills, good character and high emotional intelligence, deliver results every time, and be able to treat people fairly without bias. These qualities really apply to every promotion no matter the level of responsibility.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

14 Mar 2023Bonus Episode 55: Let's Talk About Leadership00:18:35

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What does it mean to be a leader? How do you know if you are leading correctly? Leadership is hard sometimes. It takes practice and sometimes failure to get it right. With leadership, always begin with yourself. Are you setting the right example for others to follow? Will others willingly follow you, especially in a crisis or a tough situation? When something goes wrong, what are your first actions?

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

21 Mar 2023Bonus Episode 56: Protect Your Time - Don't Let the "Task Monkey" Jump on You00:03:40

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Be careful not to take back the "task monkey" who is wanting and waiting to jump on someone else. You may even have a team member who does this often to you so be watching and careful so you stop taking on their tasks. Be a leader and a coach and watch your own discretionary time.

Source: Harvard Business Review (1999), "Management Time: Who's Got The Monkey"

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

04 Apr 2023Bonus Episode 57: Leadership Tools for Better Team Engagement00:20:37

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What can you do better to make a positive difference? Team engagement is a necessity.  If your team is quiet, it doesn’t mean things are necessary going well. You have to engage with them and continually be assessing where you can affect positive change and ensure the work continues to a high level. So, how should you engage with your team to make them better, to create a better work environment, and to foster a greater work experience?

Tools for better team engagement:
1) Resourcing,
2) Training,
3) Create an efficiency and update your processes to better align tasks,
4) Team culture and environment,
5) How to address concerns,
6) Improve communication, and
7) Create opportunities for advancement.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.

You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

11 Apr 2023Bonus Episode 58: Finance Leaders Provide Key Insights to Assist Senior Leaders in Executing the Strategy00:13:19

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Strategy is a decision around what market you will pursue and with what product and service mix and more importantly - how you will employ your resources to serve that market properly, so your company becomes profitable. Companies don’t have unlimited resources, so they must make very deliberate, data-driven, and leader-guided decisions to make those difficult choices. This is where you, a finance leader, comes in.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

20 Apr 2023105: Finance and Accounting Trends for 202300:14:16

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The predictions are out for 2023 for Finance and Accounting, and it looks interesting. Our fields continue to be in high demand. What are the types of roles that are in demand right now, and what type of work are people looking for? And what are the technology and professional trends for the upcoming year? We continue to face change and turbulence in the economy so it’s imperative that we stay in the know about what is happening. This is our profession. And I want you to embrace moving between Finance and Accounting in your career path so you have a broad experience, which will prepare you for senior finance leadership.

Episode outline:

  1. Current hiring trends,
  2. Technology updates, and 
  3. Know the trends so you can adjust your plan.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

03 May 2023Stay Curious to Grow Your Potential as a Finance Leader00:14:18

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What drives you to achieve excellence? To achieve your BEST every day? Learning is a big part of our journey in achieving excellence, so what helps you to stay motivated to learn and grow? I believe we must stay curious and be curious to continue to develop and improve each day. Our learning approach helps to expand our capacity AND our potential. Stay and be curious in our profession so you learn new skills and new ways to lead your team and organization to more positive outcomes. Train yourself to be curious, which can lead to more opportunities to advance.

Episode outline:

  1. Our curiosity leads to the development of new skills and abilities,
  2. How to train yourself to be more curious, and
  3. Continually expand your potential for finance leadership.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

17 May 2023107: Team Member Engagement Tools You Can Easily Apply00:13:09

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Team engagement is such an important daily exercise that it can affect how well your team members succeed or not. Team members who are positively engaged are more productive, more efficient, and more motivated to do a great job. And team member engagement begins with us as leaders. We must be leaders of great character and integrity. Positive team member engagement leads to growth and high-quality output. Invest in yourself to be a better leader so you can further invest in your team to help them achieve greater potential, and you will see amazing results.

Episode outline:

  1. Why team engagement is important,
  2. Team engagement tools you can easily use, and
  3. How to go to the next level.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

01 Jun 2023108: Managing Your OCD to Succeed in Your Accounting and Finance Career00:15:44

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Do you ever find yourself obsessing over your work, doubting your competency, or struggling to stay productive? What if you could harness your obsessive-compulsive tendencies to supercharge your career in finance and accounting? In this eye-opening episode, we explore the traits of the obsessive-compulsive accounting and finance professional and discuss how sometimes, our OCD can be our superpower! Listen in as we share our experiences with obsessing over perfection, worrying about miscalculations, and how our OCD has helped us solve problems that require intense focus and dedication.

Note:  I am not a mental health expert. Seek professional help to access tools that can help you, if you need to.

Episode outline:

  1. Traits of the obsessive-compulsive accounting and finance professional,
  2. Sometimes our OCD can be a superpower, 
  3. Tools for better productivity, and 
  4. Our mindset is the gateway to success. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

07 Jun 2023Bonus Episode 59: Reviewing Your Finance Leadership Goals Mid-Year00:03:32

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As we approach the halfway mark of the year, it's time to take stock of our progress and challenges in becoming better finance leaders. Join me in this bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, where we'll discuss goal achievement, prioritization, and making the best decisions to maximize our time, energy, and resources. Send me an email about your progress and challenges, and let's work together to make 2023 a year of incredible growth and accomplishment for all of us in the finance community.

Coming up in our next full episode, we'll explore the game-changing potential of the Treasury Function for organizations. Discover how a Treasury Manager can be a key leader in executing strategy by addressing cash flow issues, credit usage, and banking relationships. Learn how this crucial role can make a significant impact on your company's financial success, and stay tuned for strategic insights to help you become a better finance leader. Thank you for choosing the Finance Leader Podcast, and I look forward to continuing our journey together.

Email me: You can email me at contact@stephenmclain.com to update me on your goal progress and challenges. I am excited to hear from you.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

13 Jun 2023Bonus Episode 60: From Goals to Growth: The SMART Technique for Personal Achievement00:11:11

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Ready to level up your goal-setting game and achieve more than ever before? Discover the power of the SMART Goal-Setting Technique in our latest episode, where we break down how to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals that will lead to greater success.

But why stop there? In the second half of this episode, we dive into strategies for personal and professional improvement, guiding you through mindset shifts, leadership development, and goal clarification. We share actionable tips to advance your career and resources to help you take charge of your life. Don't miss this opportunity to learn valuable advice and strategies for becoming the best version of yourself - with the SMART Goal-Setting Technique and a commitment to growth, there's no limit to what you can accomplish.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

20 Jun 2023Bonus Episode 61: Empower Your Finance and Accounting Career through Growth and Visibility00:06:21

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Are you ready to skyrocket your finance and accounting career? We've got the tips and insights you need to gain a competitive edge in the workplace. This bonus episode is packed with valuable advice on adopting a growth mindset, dressing to impress, and participating in high visibility projects. You'll also learn the importance of having a written plan, taking risks, developing soft skills, earning professional credentials, and being part of the community at work.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

04 Jul 2023Bonus Episode 62: Making Sense of Numbers: Simple Communication in Finance is Best00:04:28

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Ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of numbers and metrics in finance? Imagine how your audience feels! Join me as I briefly explain the art of providing high-value, simple yet powerful financial analysis. Guaranteeing clarity, I will guide you to focus on the fundamentals, stripping back unnecessary complexity and enhancing the impact of your communication.

We all know how counterproductive overloading information can be. It's high time we learned to deliver top-notch analysis in fewer words. Listen in as I share insights into understanding your audience, answering only what's asked, and eliminating anything that doesn't add value.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

11 Jul 2023Bonus Episode 63: Overcoming Professional Mistakes: Building Resilience and Strengthening Leadership Skills00:04:40

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Ever made a professional mistake that kept you up at night? Trust me, we've all been there. Each day brings new challenges and mindset battles, and sometimes, we falter. But, what defines us isn't the falter, but how we recover from it. Join me as I take you through the reality of professional mistakes in this bonus episode.

Get ready to transform a bad situation into a positive one. I'll be sharing some effective steps to address and overcome professional mistakes, emphasizing on the importance of owning your errors, being upfront about them, and maintaining the highest character and integrity. I'll also share some insights on how to repair the error, learn from it and more importantly, get past it. Whether it's a company-wide high-risk blunder or a simple misreading of data, there's a way to bounce back. So, if you're looking to strengthen your mindset, improve your leadership skills and gracefully overcome professional mistakes, you can't afford to miss this episode.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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08 Aug 2023Elevate Your Career Potential as a Treasury Manager: Key Responsibilities, Skills, and Certifications00:13:46

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Looking to level up from a finance professional to a Treasury Manager?  We lay out the key tasks of a Treasury Manager, from cash management and forecasting to compliance, and explore the impact of banking relationships on business operations. Tune in as we dissect the importance of cash position and the growth opportunities within this role.

Episode outline:

  1.  Key responsibilities and tasks of the Treasury function,
  2. What this role means for the organization, and 
  3. How this role can be an opportunity for you. 

Certifications:

  1. Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) from the Association of Financial Professionals
  2. Association of Corporate Treasurers 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

24 Aug 2023A Deep Dive into Leadership and Excellence for Finance and Accounting Professionals00:14:07

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We kick off by shedding light on how cultivating leadership qualities can propel your career ahead while catalyzing remarkable transformations in your team and the broader organization. We delve deep into the strategy of excellence, putting a spotlight on the power of clear communication, high expectations, and accountability. We also underscore the significance of trust, character, integrity, and equality in creating an environment that breeds excellence.

Episode outline:

  1. What does achieving excellence mean,
  2. Why developing your leadership will propel your career, and
  3. How you can make a positive difference around you.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

05 Sep 2023The Vital Role of Character and Ethics in Finance Leadership00:13:40

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Have you ever stopped to consider the gravity of your role as a finance or accounting professional? We're the guardians of our organizations' critical resources, the moral compass guiding our teams, and the defenders of ethical conduct. In this thought-provoking episode of the Finance Leader Podcast, we explore the significance of character and integrity in our field. We delve into the crucial expectations of high ethics, the importance of trustworthiness, and the vital systems of internal controls acting as safeguards against misuse of assets.

As we challenge conventional wisdom, we pose the question: can strong character be taught, or is it inherent? This episode urges you to reflect on your own character, integrity, and the implications of your actions on your team and your organization. We discuss effective ways to communicate and uphold expectations of character and ethics within our teams. Of course, ethics is not just about preaching - it's about practicing. You'll find out why the most influential leaders are those who display high character and how they shape the culture and practices of their teams. Tune in to gain valuable insights into maintaining high ethical standards in our professions, and how we can continually strive to be better leaders.


Episode outline:

  1. Why a high level of character is expected,
  2. Internal controls are still a must, and
  3. The great leaders display the highest character.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

14 Sep 2023Bonus Episode 64: Mastering Evolving Career Skills in the Financial and Accounting Profession00:03:11

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Ever puzzled over how your career skills need to evolve as you climb the ladder in your financial and accounting career? Join us as we delve into the transformation from mastering technical skills to becoming an effective communicator, strategist, and organizational leader.  Also, as the year-end approaches, it's time to review your 2023 accomplishments and begin strategizing for 2024.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii


For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

03 Oct 2023Communicate To Your Team How They Positively Impact the Organization00:13:00

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What if you, as a finance professional, had the power to shape the future of your organization and influence more positive outcomes? Imagine being the driving force that transforms your team into better versions of themselves! We're going to explore these possibilities in today's episode. With our unique perspective in assessing and measuring key data, we discuss how our daily tasks are not just about crunching numbers but are pivotal in making strategic decisions. Our role is to inspire and guide our team to appreciate how their work is making a real impact on the organization's success.

Episode outline:

  1. How Finance and Accounting professionals impact the organization,
  2. Show your team members how they make a difference, and 
  3. A true Finance Leader will transform the people around them into a better version of themselves.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

17 Oct 2023Bonus Episode 65: A Guide for Preparing for Unpredictable Change in the Workplace00:05:02

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Facing an unpredictable change at work can be daunting, can't it? Especially when it's a major shift like mass layoffs, new leadership, or a different company strategy. As finance and accounting professionals, we are not immune to these whirlwinds of change. So, how do we adapt? Fear not, for this bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast is here to guide you, offering a process to make wise and calculated decisions when faced with significant changes.


Adapting to change process:

  1. Accept that nothing stays the same,
  2. Have your tools ready,
  3. Continue to produce great work,
  4. Do the analysis and make a well-thought-out decision on how you face the change, and 
  5. Commit to your decision without regret. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

24 Oct 2023Bonus Episode 66: Exploring the Impact of Professional Credentials in Finance and Accounting Careers00:14:12

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We'll be revisiting one of our most impactful episodes from Season 13 where we unpack the significance of these professional credentials and guide you on where to lay your focus.  The finance and accounting landscape is forever shifting and evolving - so how do you stay ahead of the curve? Professional credentials are more than badges of technical prowess; they serve as a testament to your unwavering dedication to learning, growth, and adaptability. This is your chance to prove your mettle in these exciting, ever-changing fields.

Episode outline:

  1. What does it mean by having professional credentials,
  2. Where should you focus, and
  3. Ensure you manage your continuing professional credits throughout the year.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

31 Oct 2023Bonus Episode 67: The Key to Team Transformation - Help Your Team Members to Become Better00:03:43

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Imagine supercharging your team's performance and productivity, while simultaneously improving their daily work experience. This episode promises to hand you the keys to that transformation. In the episode, I will discuss five key actions that revolve around enhancing your communication skills, scheduling routine 1:1 meetings, eliminating roadblocks, developing Individual Development Plans, and sculpting unique pathways for success.

 Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.




Support the show

08 Nov 2023Bonus Episode 68: Closing the Year Strong: Planning, Budgeting, Professional Development and Self-Care Tips for Finance Leaders00:04:36

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Are you ready to end the year on a high note and kick off the next one with renewed vigor and clarity? Join me in this bonus episode of The Finance Leader Podcast as we delve into key activities to focus on as the year draws to a close: from prepping for year-end close and getting the 2024 budget approved, to planning for your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and setting goals for the upcoming year.

But it's not all work, work, work. A crucial part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance is taking time off for self-care and relaxation. We'll be discussing the importance of scheduling some well-deserved downtime and how it can positively impact your productivity and overall wellbeing. Whether you're a finance professional seeking guidance on end-of-year activities or just someone seeking to improve their leadership skills, this episode offers something for everyone. So tune in and let's make the most of what we've got left of the year together!

 Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

14 Nov 2023Embrace Intense Accountability: Transform Your Finance and Accounting Career00:15:10

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 In this episode, we're examining the transformative power of intense accountability in the realm of finance and accounting careers. We'll delve into how owning your mindset, setting clear goals, and establishing a chain of accountability can catapult you out of your comfort zone and propel you towards success.

We'll explore the fine line between making excuses and owning up to failures, and how the right mindset can encourage us to take more risks, essential for a thriving career. We'll also touch upon the concept of professional conduct and the role of accountability within our professional fields. Whether you are starting out or are a seasoned professional, this episode is brimming with unique insights and fresh perspectives designed to empower you to take charge of your career and your life. Step into the realm of intense accountability and let it shape your journey to success.

Episode outline:

  1. What is intense accountability,
  2. Own your mindset, goal setting, achievements, AND failures,
  3. Accountability gets us out of our comfort zone, so we take risk,
  4. Our professional conduct requires accountability too, and
  5. Become a more sought-after finance leader. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

21 Nov 2023Bonus Episode 69: The Power of Thanksgiving: An Exploration into Growth and Gratitude00:03:20

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 I dedicate this special episode of the Finance Leader Podcast to share my journey of gratitude. Walk with me as I delve into the profound gratitude I have for my inner circle, the joy of serving others through this podcast, and the path of self-improvement I am navigating each day.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

28 Nov 2023Unlocking Finance Agility and Digital Transformation in Today's Unpredictable Business Environment00:13:35

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Episode 114: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Sometimes this lies in processes, but often it can be with leaders who are not able to see change indicators which also means that you may not be measuring for changing conditions.

Episode outline:

  1. How finance agility and digital transformation gives you more flexibility in a turbulent environment,
  2. Finance and digital transformation are keys to being more agile, and 
  3. What are your next steps?


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.



Support the show

05 Dec 2023Bonus Ep 70: Transforming Your Business with an Effective FP&A Team00:19:26

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Financial Planning & Analysis provides one of the most critical and powerful functions in the business. Are you resourcing and employing your FP&A Team properly? You need to be continually planning the team’s functions and capabilities as technology changes and the business grows. The FP&A function cannot remain static. It must be growing and changing as conditions change. Your pathway to understanding the key metrics of the business AND if you are achieving your strategy, lies in the commitment to investing in your Financial Planning and Analysis team.


Episode outline:

  1. Is the business achieving the strategy,
  2. How FP&A can add huge value,
  3. Do they have the right tools,
  4. Invest in your FP&A team, and
  5. Where is FP&A going in the future?


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.


Support the show

12 Dec 2023Bonus Ep 71 - Finance Team Success: A Journey of Leadership and Engagement00:15:15

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Imagine unlocking the full potential of your finance team with the right leadership and engagement tools.  We kick things off by venturing into the realm of leadership, exploring its intricate responsibilities, and stressing the significance of setting the vision, maintaining high standards, and becoming a role model for your team.

As we move forward, we dive deeper into the nuances of team engagement, demonstrating how your actions can mold your team's success trajectory. We'll replay episode 107, offering handy team member engagement tools that you can readily apply within your team. The goal is to create an environment where team members are positively engaged, productive, efficient, and motivated, leading to high-quality output. Don’t forget to check out the Finance Leader Academy for free additional resources.

Episode outline:

  1. Why team engagement is important,
  2. Team engagement tools you can easily use, and
  3. How to go to the next level.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

19 Dec 2023Bonus Ep 72: A Reflective Journey into Leadership and the Spirit of December Celebrations00:02:45

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Pause for a moment. What if you could go beyond mere technical skills and grow into an inspiring leader, radiating strength of character and integrity? That's what we're exploring in this special bonus episode of the Finance Leader Podcast.  As we wrap up the year, we invite you to celebrate not just your professional success, but also the personal milestones that make life truly meaningful.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

26 Dec 2023Bonus Ep 73: Rediscover the Excitement of a Career in Finance and Accounting00:10:31

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Do you remember why you chose a career in finance and accounting? Rekindle your passion as we revisit Episode 98 and deeply contemplate the reasons that drew us towards this exciting field. This episode is a rallying cry for all finance leaders, urging you to reconnect with the joy of number-crunching, the thrill of forging strategy, and the ambition of leadership. Remember, a true finance leader isn't just technically proficient, they use this mastery to uplift others and guide their organization towards success, using data as the compass.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.




Support the show

02 Jan 2024Bonus Ep 74: Elevate Your Small Business and Solopreneur Journey with an Accounting and Finance System that Supports Business Growth00:09:24

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Please download the free workbook that goes with this episode.

This episode will empower you with the insights to pinpoint your ideal customer, refine your services, and secure your competitive edge. We'll navigate through a SWOT analysis and discuss the significance of core values before crafting a strategic statement that's as robust as your ambition. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting, you'll leave with a clearer direction and the tools to make informed decisions that will pave the way for prosperity in 2024. Let's make those goals a reality, shall we?

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com.

On the website, you can download the Small Business Strategy Guide and Workbook. You can use this guide to evaluate your Small Business Strategy and how your accounting & finance systems can help you make better decisions. 

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09 Jan 2024Setting SMART Goals for 202400:16:51

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Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here

Episode #115: Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious goals for the year. We'll revisit the SMART method, aligning our career and personal aspirations, even as life’s curveballs come our way. By maintaining focus and staying accountable, we're setting the stage for a year of unparalleled achievements. So, subscribe, share, and join our brigade of excellence; together, we're not just planning goals—we're setting the foundations for a legacy of leadership in finance.


Episode outline:

  1. Why we set goals and not new years’ resolutions,
  2. Our mindset is our greatest asset,
  3. What is your big goal for 2024?
  4. Use the SMART method for goal planning.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

17 Jan 2024Stay Focused and Avoid The Usual Distractions To Achieve Success00:14:30

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We are discussing staying focused, so we accomplish our goals, we complete our task with excellence, and we lead our teams with purpose. What we let distract us will own our energy and our time. Our habits and routines must be strong to overcome any distraction that can lure us away from accomplishment and top results. I want you to create a vision of success for yourself to stay focused on what you want to achieve. We will overcome any distraction and obstacle that gets in our way. That will be our pledge to ourselves.


Episode outline:

  1. Change your habits so you avoid the usual distractions,
  2. Create a vision board to help turn your dream into reality, and
  3. Schedule and document your goal achievement plan.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows Episode 115: here
  2. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  3. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

23 Jan 2024Interview with Mark McMillion - A Discussion on Growing Our Leadership and Mastering Conflict Management00:38:30

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Discover the leadership secrets that can transform your team from functioning to phenomenal as I'm joined by retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark McMillian. With a storied 22-year military career and a passion for coaching as the founder of McMillion Leadership Associates, Mark offers a wealth of knowledge on the importance of clear communication and defined expectations.  Our conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to inspire and guide teams to greatness, especially in high-pressure environments.

Navigating the rough seas of conflict with emotional intelligence—this is what separates good leaders from great ones. We unravel the complexities of managing stress and interpersonal dynamics in today's high-stress climate. Drawing from personal experiences, including stories from frontline employees like Mark's daughter during the pandemic, we spotlight the need for self-awareness and understanding of others' emotions. Whether you're leading a public-facing team or an internal corporate group, the insights shared here will equip you with the skills to create a more harmonious and effective work environment. Join us as we explore the power of emotional intelligence in leadership, an essential tool for anyone striving to excel in their role and foster a thriving team culture.

To connect with Mark McMillion, please visit McMillion Leadership Associates: mcmillionleadership.com

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. To learn more about the Conflict Management and Emotional Intelligence training, you can find it here
  2. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.

Support the show

30 Jan 2024Mastering Strategic Decision-Making: Aligning Business Strategy with Finance and Accounting Systems00:18:19

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Please download the free business strategy guide here.

Episode 118: Unlock the secrets to savvy strategic decision-making as we navigate the complex relationship between business strategy and the accounting and finance systems that support it. Perfect for small business owners looking to tighten their operations, this episode promises a deep understanding of how to leverage monthly financial statements and daily financial insights. We unravel the subtleties of resource allocation and explore the creation of meaningful KPIs that resonate with your unique business goals.

Episode outline:

  1. What is business strategy,
  2. Accounting and finance system considerations to support your strategy,
  3. Develop the right key performance indicators, and 
  4. Use leadership and knowledge to solve business problems. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows Episode 115: here
  2. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  3. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.




Support the show

06 Feb 2024Interview with Wassia Kamon, VP of Finance and Corporate Controller, How to Emphasize Your Value00:43:14

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Episode 119: In the episode, Wassia talks about her work with H.O.P.E - Helping Other People be Empowered: you can find the link here. This is an amazing organization doing work that matters and changing lives for the better. 

Embark on a transformative journey through the dynamic world of finance with Wassia Kamon, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller from the Low Income Investment Fund, as she unpacks the essence of value beyond the numbers. Wassia telling her story coming from the Ivory Coast to become a senior finance leader is so inspirational. She not only underscores the significance of soft skills but also the power of a professional narrative in career progression. This episode is a treasure trove for middle managers looking to show their value so they can rise in their organizations, offering insights on how to strategically navigate the intricate path to senior positions.

You can visit Wassia's website at wassiakamon.com.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

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13 Feb 2024Inspiring Greatness: Transformative Leadership Principles00:11:34

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Episode #120: Ever wondered how leadership transcends mere management to truly inspire greatness? Join me as I reveal the transformative principles that can elevate not just your team's performance, but your very approach to leadership. Drawing from my own experiences in the Army, this episode promises to arm you with a mindset that not only lights a fire in others but also sparks the development of future leaders within your team.

Last week, we gleaned incredible wisdom from Wassia Kamon, and now we're harnessing that momentum to challenge the status quo. Discover the strategies that combat complacency, underscore the importance of active listening, and emphasize clear communication. Together, we will navigate the essentials of creating a culture that champions growth, collaboration, and a strategic response to challenges. Be prepared to leave this session with the ability to inspire a legacy of leadership that echoes through the echelons of your organization.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows Episode 115: here
  2. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  3. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

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27 Feb 2024Uniting Individuals with Leadership: A Discussion on Improving Team Performance00:13:47

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Ready to transform a group of individuals into a powerhouse team? Joins us as we share invaluable strategies that will elevate your team's performance to unprecedented heights. By harnessing the synergy of trust, communication, and fair play, we illustrate how leaders can foster an environment ripe for growth, innovation, and collective achievement.

This episode is a treasure trove of actionable advice, revealing the secrets to creating a cohesive and dynamic team. We bridge the gap between individual potential and collaborative success with Stephen's guidance, leaving behind the perils of micromanagement and favoritism. Your journey to leadership excellence begins here, and the path is illuminated with the wisdom of a true connoisseur of team-building. Tune in to experience a masterclass in cultivating a work culture where everyone thrives and the sum truly is greater than its parts.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows Episode 115: here
  2. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  3. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

14 Mar 2024Lessons in Strategic Communication for Finance Professionals00:06:59

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Embark on a journey through the treacherous terrain of strategic messaging as we dissect the recent communication blunders of Kellogg's and Wendy's. It's a perilous world out there for finance and accounting leaders tasked with navigating their company's external narratives – one wrong word could spell disaster for your brand's reputation. In this episode, we delve into why empathy and understanding the economic pulse of your audience is not just important, but critical for those speaking on behalf of their company. Discover key concepts and actionable guidance to bulletproof your public communication strategies, ensuring your messaging hits the mark every time.

Join me as we explore the nuances of crafting messages that resonate with consumers and safeguard your personal and corporate brand integrity. We'll unravel the dire consequences of disconnect and arrogance in communications, providing lessons that finance leaders can't afford to ignore. Learn how to wield the power of consistency, align company values with consumer needs, and genuinely connect with your audience—all while avoiding the snares of misplaced humor or off-the-cuff remarks. Tune in to fortify your leadership toolkit and ensure that when you speak, your audience doesn't just listen—they trust and believe in what you have to say.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

10 Apr 2024Bonus Episode 75: Leading with Accountability: A Call to Action for Finance Professionals00:16:14

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In this episode, we're examining the transformative power of intense accountability in the realm of finance and accounting careers. We'll delve into how owning your mindset, setting clear goals, and establishing a chain of accountability can catapult you out of your comfort zone and propel you towards success.

We'll explore the fine line between making excuses and owning up to failures, and how the right mindset can encourage us to take more risks, essential for a thriving career. We'll also touch upon the concept of professional conduct and the role of accountability within our professional fields. Whether you are starting out or are a seasoned professional, this episode is brimming with unique insights and fresh perspectives designed to empower you to take charge of your career and your life. Step into the realm of intense accountability and let it shape your journey to success.

Episode outline:

  1. What is intense accountability,
  2. Own your mindset, goal setting, achievements, AND failures,
  3. Accountability gets us out of our comfort zone, so we take risk,
  4. Our professional conduct requires accountability too, and
  5. Become a more sought-after finance leader.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

16 Apr 2024Bonus Episode 76: SMART Goal Planning for Finance Leaders00:18:09

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Please download the Goal Setting Workbook that follows this episode: here

Imagine seizing opportunities as they arise, armed with a growth mindset that turns challenges into stepping stones for success. That's what we're unpacking today—how to nurture the mindset and habits that will steer us toward our most ambitious goals for the year. We'll revisit the SMART method, aligning our career and personal aspirations, even as life’s curveballs come our way. By maintaining focus and staying accountable, we're setting the stage for a year of unparalleled achievements. So, subscribe, share, and join our brigade of excellence; together, we're not just planning goals—we're setting the foundations for a legacy of leadership in finance.

Episode outline:

  1. Why we set goals and not new years’ resolutions,
  2. Our mindset is our greatest asset,
  3. What is your big goal for 2024?
  4. Use the SMART method for goal planning.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

23 Apr 2024Bonus Episode 77: Building a High-Performance Finance Team: A Strategy for Effective Recruitment and Talent Development00:05:16

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As the NFL Draft ignites conversations about talent acquisition, we turn the spotlight on the universal principles of selecting and nurturing the right people for your finance squad. In this bonus episode, I explore the critical importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and communication, and their role in creating a harmonious and effective team environment. I'll share why these innate qualities often outweigh technical prowess, and how you can foster a culture that values growth, coachability, and adding value at every turn.

Prepare to challenge your perceptions of team development and leadership as we discuss the nuanced art of recruitment. I emphasize that being a finance leader means also being a mentor, willing to invest in your team's continuous improvement. Reflecting on Mark Cuban's wisdom, I argue that there are no shortcuts to excellence, but rather a committed journey of cultivating talent. By the end of our conversation, you'll be equipped with actionable insights to help you seek out and develop individuals who don't just fill a role but elevate your entire organization. Join us for a compelling narrative that will transform how you think about and approach hiring within your finance team.

==>> Episode 45: Recruiting and Hiring Team Members

Episode outline:

  1. Commit to focusing on soft skills,
  2. Are they coachable,
  3. Will they add value to your team,
  4. Finance leaders must be teachers, and
  5. Growth and development are keys to individual and team success. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

  1. On the website, you can download the Become a Finance Leader Guide. You can use this guide to build your Finance Leadership skills so you can help senior leaders develop and execute the strategy.
  2. I also offer a course, Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

Support the show

07 May 2024Bonus Episode 78: Revisiting the Importance of Finance Agility and Digital Transformation.00:14:58

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Episode 114 encore: Does your organization have the ability to overcome a crisis or overcome rapidly changing business and economic conditions? Is decision making lagging due to financial systems that cannot adapt or because of legacy processes that don’t support change? Being agile means, you can quickly assess and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Sometimes this lies in processes, but often it can be with leaders who are not able to see change indicators which also means that you may not be measuring for changing conditions.

Episode outline:

  1. How finance agility and digital transformation gives you more flexibility in a turbulent environment,
  2. Finance and digital transformation are keys to being more agile, and 
  3. What are your next steps?


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

18 Jun 2024Customer Traffic Considerations During Competitor Disruptions00:06:00

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Episode 123:  Could a major competitor's sudden closure transform your business landscape? Find out how unexpected changes in your competitive space can significantly impact your customer traffic and revenue. This episode takes you through a fascinating local case where a major retailer shut its doors—not due to poor performance, but rather a landlord's decision. We dissect the ripple effects on surrounding businesses in a bustling shopping center, providing you with essential metrics to gauge how such changes affect your operations.

Equip yourself with actionable strategies to adapt and thrive amidst market shifts. We'll explore year-over-year sales changes, variations in product types, and time-of-day traffic adjustments. Learn how to identify and fill market gaps left by a complementary business's closure. Stay ahead in your financial planning by optimizing your resources and preparing contingencies for unexpected disruptions. Join us as we offer invaluable insights to ensure your business remains resilient and responsive to changes in your competitive landscape.

Episode outline:

  1. What happens when a business change occurs to a competitor,
  2. What metrics and planning considerations should you analyze, and 
  3. We must be continually strategic in our analysis.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

25 Jun 2024Transform Your Success in 2024: Mastering SMART Goals with a Growth Mindset00:18:54

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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'll revisit the key insights from Episode 115 and challenge you with a Mid-Year Goal review. Learn why SMART goals outperform New Year's resolutions and how adopting a growth mindset can elevate your career and personal life. We'll also share strategies for staying focused, planning long-term, and getting back on track when necessary.

Discover the power of writing down your big goals and breaking them into manageable steps while ensuring they align with your career and family aspirations. We'll highlight the importance of continuous updates and accountability to maintain momentum. This episode isn't just about setting goals—it's about building a strong professional foundation, enhancing leadership skills, and fostering executive presence. Let's embark on this journey together and turn your 2024 aspirations into reality!


Episode outline:

  1. Why we set goals and not new years’ resolutions,
  2. Our mindset is our greatest asset,
  3. What is your big goal for 2024?
  4. Use the SMART method for goal planning.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

22 Aug 2024Leadership is the Most Important Skill to Develop: Empower Your Team for Innovation and Success00:14:16

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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 you on the journey to becoming a great leader who can inspire a high-performing team capable of driving success and outlasting the competition. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your leadership game and make a lasting impact on your organization.


Episode outline:

  1. We need to develop leadership skills before anything else,
  2. Leadership is how you create positive change,
  3. How you can become a great leader.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

18 Sep 2024Building a Successful and Healthy Work Environment: An Introduction to Helping Your Team Thrive00:11:33

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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 company benefits to their fullest potential.

In episode 125, we explore why poor leadership often turns work into a negative experience and how we can change this narrative. Discover the key to unlocking your team's true potential through meaningful one-on-one sessions and insightful conversations about their life purposes. We also discuss the importance of providing proper resources and unbiased feedback to cultivate a healthy, successful work environment. Tune in to equip yourself with the leadership skills necessary to help your team not only survive but truly thrive.

Episode outline:

  1. Create a healthy work environment,
  2. Inspire your team, and
  3. Maximize all company benefits and programs. 


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

24 Sep 2024Navigating Career Changes in Accounting with Insights from Mike Manalac, Accounting Manager, Google00:44:38

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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 of auditing publicly traded companies, Mike offers insights that are crucial for anyone aspiring to climb the finance career ladder.

Curious about how the accounting landscape is evolving, especially with the rise of remote work and AI? This episode delves into the transformative impact of technology on finance roles. Mike emphasizes the importance of soft skills like creativity, leadership, and critical thinking to stand out in a field often stereotyped as rigid. Learn how to effectively navigate virtual leadership, utilize new collaborative tools, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing environment.

Balance is key, and Mike's approach to integrating fun into both professional and personal life is inspiring. Discover how unique skills and perspectives can give you a competitive edge, and how work-life balance not only enhances fulfillment but also boosts your career. Don't miss Mike's personal interests and his valuable resources like his website mikefromaccounting.com and courses designed to help accountants thrive. Whether you're an aspiring accountant or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice and insights.

Mike's website: mikefromaccounting.com

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

12 Nov 2024Empowering Leadership: Overcoming Team Frustrations and Building Confidence00:11:51

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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 communication, fair treatment, and adequate resources can eliminate the frustrations that hold your team back. As we approach the end of the year, discover the importance of goal reviews and continuing professional education to prepare your team for upcoming challenges.

Episode outline:

  1. Poor communication,
  2. A lack of resources and training
  3. Holding everyone accountable and treating all fairly, and 
  4. Developmental opportunities for career advancement.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

03 Dec 2024Transforming Leadership: Developing Leader's Eyes to Identify and Solve Problems00:04:10

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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 knack for identifying and rectifying small issues before they snowball can revolutionize the way you manage your team. This isn't just about spotting problems—it's about fostering an environment ripe for proactive leadership, continuous improvement, and unyielding teamwork.

You'll discover practical strategies for developing these "leader's eyes," focusing on proactive leadership, the power of coaching, and the magic of maintaining a positive attitude. By encouraging your team to take initiative and collaborate, you can create a culture where improvement is constant and every member feels empowered to contribute their best. This episode promises to equip you with the tools to make a meaningful impact on your organization. Dive into this journey of leadership evolution and learn how to truly lead with your eyes wide open. Visit financeleaderacademy.com for more insights and resources to bolster your leadership journey.

Episode outline:

  1. Proactive leadership,
  2. Coach your team members, and
  3. Positive attitude.


Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

10 Dec 2024Using Leadership to Turn the Year-End Chaos into Achievement00:06:27

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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, we hold a unique power to influence our organizations and careers. This episode emphasizes the significance of finance leadership in decision-making and provides actionable guidance to navigate organizational challenges.

Please connect with me on:

1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy:  financeleaderacademy.com

Support the show

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