No single factor is more important in success than Leadership; and none more complex. I don’t have a silver bullet answer regarding what leadership attribute or principle is the key criterion; I think that’s the condundrum – and beauty, of leadership – it can flourish in many environments and with many styles – and be equally emaciated or suffocated by environments and styles.

I didn’t write to wax philosophically – when I read your article, I was struck that a professor at my alma matter (SUNY Buffalo, Jacobs School of Mgt), Jerry M. Newman, took a sabatical and took jobs at fast food restaurants. “My undercover life at McDonalds” his key take-away: The difference between great and successful restaurants, even within the same franchise chain, boils down to: solid LEADERSHIP! A good manager, who inspires others and holds people accountable for sucess wins the day. I think we all can anchor to that, since we’ve all been to good, efficient and clean places and likewise suffered those which toil under poor leadership…

I thought it interesting that this common theme transcends industry and business – and not surprisingly, is equally true within the CPA field.

Thanks for the article and thoughts on leadership.

Kind Regards,
Ed Herbst

Asking questions that lead to a conclusion instead of making a statement.

Serving instead of being served.

Jason S. Inman, CPA, CIPM
MCDONNELL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
Client Accounting and Reporting

One thing I’ve always noted about leadership is that good leaders are also good followers. By this I mean that they are always willing to listen to their own followers for ideas and let their followers lead themselves and sometimes the organization. Good leaders often give good direction or a compass for the organization and provide clarity and practicality to an project’s objectives or an organization’s mission.

We actually named our firm Red Rock Business Advisors because we want to be valued business “leaders” advisors to our clients and our industry. My partner and I have both run other small businesses and we constantly talk about how many firms are made up of leaders who have only worked/led in the public accounting arena. Unfortunately, I think this has numbed them to the demands and requirements of leading and working in other industries. Not to say they’re not smart, competent accountants. Many are great, but they may not understand the “headaches” of other business leaders.

We’re actually working on a marketing plan to reach out to other CPA firms to show how we’ve used technology and our skill set to differentiate ourselves and market this strategy development for others.

I’d love to get your ideas.

Chad W. Davis, CPA, MBA
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwdaviscpa

Lance Mann
Dean Dorton Ford, PSC
Lexington, KY

I’ve been doing my own research on leadership. For the past three or so years, I have been involved with a class learning about Edwin Friedman’s concepts based on Bowen Systems Theory. Bowen’s theory of self-differentiation and Friedman’s continued work in this area bringing it to organizations beyond families is fascinating to me. It brings tremendous insight in working with family business owners.

With that, a leader is someone who knows herself, knows the goals she wants to accomplish and does not allow others to influence the direction. That is, the leader has the innate ability to continue in a relationship with others who disagree, and then keep connected to them. Leadership is about functioning in such a way that others grow in their own maturity or self-differentiation. Leadership is about the organization continuing and functioning in a healthy way that promotes creativity, individualism, and self-responsibility.

And I agree – an accounting practice should be operated and managed just like any other business. We are not immune nor in an ivory tower separate and distinct from today’s business challenges.

Lisa Bargsley, CPA
Bargsley, Andrews & Steinbach, CPAs, LLP