Leaders must empower others, share leadership, and foster an inclusive culture to ensure long-term success.

Gear Up for Growth

With Jean Caragher

For CPA Trendlines

In a rapidly evolving profession where mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investments dominate headlines, many CPA firms face a critical choice: sell, merge, or remain independent. For firms determined to chart their own course, leadership is the key to survival and success.

Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

Sarah Elliott, co-founder and principal of Intend2Lead LLC, joins Jean Caragher on the "Gear Up for Growth" podcast to discuss how conscious leadership can help CPA firms maintain independence, foster innovation, and develop future leaders. Her insights underscore a fundamental shift in leadership—one that requires vision, empowerment, and adaptability.

According to Elliott, firms that want to remain independent need to cultivate three critical leadership qualities.