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Bonus Episode #91: Ever feel like time is slipping away while your biggest goals remain unfulfilled? You're not alone. The difference between dreaming and achieving often comes down to one critical factor: your ability to stay focused in a world designed to distract you.

We explore three powerful approaches to maintaining laser-like focus. First, you'll learn how to identify and change the habits that consistently pull you off course. Those morning and evening routines? They're more critical to your success than you might realize. Second, I'll show you how creating a vision board transforms abstract dreams into concrete daily motivation, keeping your biggest aspirations front and center when decisions get tough. Finally, we'll cover the documentation and scheduling systems that turn intentions into actions, including how to use production timers, prioritization techniques, and progress tracking to build unstoppable momentum.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is its honesty about the role your inner circle plays in your success. The people closest to you profoundly influence your mindset and behaviors—are they lifting you up or holding you back? By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear framework for minimizing distractions, maximizing productivity, and staying relentlessly focused on what matters most. Ready to transform your approach to goal achievement? This is your roadmap to results that last.

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.

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Episode 139: Are you responsible for coaching your team's effort level? The question struck me after hearing WNBA Coach Becky Hammon's bold post-game declaration following a tough loss: "I will not coach effort." Her philosophy is clear—professional athletes must bring 100% effort or risk being benched. But how does this translate to finance leadership?

Unlike professional sports, we lead teams with varying experience, motivation, and career aspirations. The approach that works for championship athletes may need substantial modification in our world. As finance leaders, our expectations about effort should adapt based on team member seniority and organizational level. A CFO might reasonably expect consistent high effort from VP-level direct reports, while more junior team members may need different guidance.

This episode explores the delicate balance of expecting versus coaching effort, drawing parallels between sports leadership, military command, and finance team management. We examine the tools available to finance leaders—from bonuses and promotions to training opportunities and key project assignments—and how these can be used strategically to address effort disparities without "benching" team members in the traditional sense.

Most importantly, we consider how our own example sets the standard. The effort we demonstrate daily as leaders becomes the benchmark for our teams. High-performance organizations don't just happen—they start with leaders who consistently model extraordinary effort and establish clear expectations about how work gets done.

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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Episode 138: Are you giving your absolute best, or just enough to get by? That comfortable routine might actually be your biggest career threat.

The silent killer of professional excellence is complacency – that subtle shift from passionate engagement to simply going through the motions. As we explore in this episode, complacency doesn't arrive with fanfare, but rather creeps in through routine tasks and diminishing challenges, eventually leading to laziness, sloppiness, and missed opportunities.

For leaders, the stakes are particularly high. Your team mirrors your standards and approach. When you become complacent, they follow suit, creating a downward spiral of diminishing performance. The organization faces increased risks as market signals are missed and important details overlooked. Meanwhile, your own growth stagnates, limiting future opportunities.

Episode outline:

1. What are the signs of job performance complacency?
2. Improvement starts with us, as leaders,
3. Coach your team to better performance.

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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Episode 137: What if the key to transforming your business lies not in adding more resources, but in simply understanding how your employees move through their workspace? In this eye-opening conversation with Service Physics co-founders Brian Reece and Steve Crowley, we uncover the hidden costs of inefficient processes that might be quietly draining your profits and customer satisfaction.

Website: www.servicephysics.com

Service Physics app download: Apple Store

Service Physics app download: Android

Brian Reece: LinkedIn

Steve Crowley: LinkedIn

Brian and Steve's journey began at Starbucks during the financial crisis, where they witnessed firsthand how applying lean principles transformed a struggling company into a global powerhouse. After further refining their approach at Anheuser-Busch, they founded Service Physics with a mission to make these powerful techniques accessible to businesses of all sizes. Their unique consulting approach—which they playfully describe as "doing consulting wrong"—focuses on being physically present in the workspace, collecting real data, and experimenting with improvements rather than simply delivering recommendations.

One of their most powerful revelations? The true cost of motion. Through simple techniques like "spaghetti diagrams" that track worker movements, they demonstrate how activities that look like work but add no value (like walking) can represent 10% of labor costs—translating to millions in opportunity costs for mid-sized companies. Even more striking is their finding that most service businesses already have sufficient equipment capacity; they're simply not using it efficiently.

What sets Service Physics apart is their focus on driving top-line growth rather than merely cutting costs. By helping businesses understand leading indicators (like customer queue length or transaction time) rather than just lagging metrics (like sales), they enable proactive improvements that capture previously unmet customer demand. Their entrepreneurial journey offers valuable lessons in bootstrapping a business, building systems that don't rely solely on founders, and creating clarity through effective communication—including innovative approaches like using AI to transform quarterly updates into podcasts.

Ready to discover how much hidden capacity your business already has? Download the Service Physics app, visit servicephysics.com, or catch them at upcoming industry events to learn how making work more joyful for employees creates better customer experiences and stronger financial results.

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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Episode #136: Matt Lhoumeau, CEO of Concord Worldwide, takes us on his extraordinary journey from founding his first company at 17 to revolutionizing how businesses handle their contracts.

Connect with Matt Lhoumeau and Concord:

1) Matt Lhoumeau: Matt's LinkedIn

2) Website: concord.app

Matt's revelation will surprise you: contract management has fundamentally transformed. While traditionally the exclusive domain of legal departments, today's reality shows operations and finance teams increasingly managing contracts—often with legal completely uninvolved. This shift, accelerated by AI, creates both challenges and opportunities for finance leaders seeking greater efficiency and control.

The numbers tell a shocking story. Matt reveals that 90% of companies still have no contract management system in place, relying instead on fragmented solutions combining e-signatures and generic document storage. Meanwhile, over 90% of contracts are signed without revisions—suggesting the real value is in in streamlined processes and financial oversight.

For finance leaders specifically, Matt offers invaluable wisdom from his entrepreneurial journey. He candidly admits wishing he'd hired a strong CFO earlier, emphasizing that great finance leaders "fight for every dollar" while serving as "guardians of processes"—implementing just enough structure without creating bureaucratic overhead. His perspective on monthly closing processes is particularly enlightening, as Concord evolves toward real-time financial visibility.

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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Bonus episode #90: Mindset forms the bedrock of effective leadership. The way we think shapes our decisions, influences how we solve problems, and determines the trajectory of our professional journey. But how often do we examine our own thought processes?

In this bonus episode, I explore the critical connection between mindset and leadership effectiveness. Your thought patterns affect everything—from how you allocate resources and prioritize tasks to how you motivate yourself and others during challenging times. I share three powerful strategies to challenge and improve your thought processes: paying attention to your thoughts (are they predominantly positive or negative?), breaking free from comfortable routines that stifle innovation, and rededicating yourself to authentic leadership. When was the last time you or your team generated fresh ideas or improved a process? If you can't remember, you might be trapped in complacency.

The most successful finance leaders consistently challenge their thinking patterns, embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and execute their leadership vision with renewed purpose. This mindset-focused approach doesn't just transform how you lead—it revolutionizes the results you achieve and the impact you have on others. Are you ready to elevate your leadership by transforming how you think?

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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Bonus episode #89: A powerful accountability framework can be the difference between another year of unfulfilled potential and remarkable achievement in your finance career. Whether you're aiming for the CFO chair or seeking to level up your leadership skills, this episode unveils the three critical components of a personal accountability strategy that actually works.

We begin by examining the mindset shift required for genuine accountability. As finance professionals, we're excellent at holding others accountable through metrics and performance reviews, but often struggle with personal accountability. I explore why 99% of failures stem from excuse-making and how developing a no-quit attitude creates the persistence needed to overcome inevitable obstacles.

Beyond mindset, effective accountability requires a structured methodology. The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) provides the architectural blueprint for transforming vague aspirations into concrete achievements. But even the best-designed goals require tactical implementation tools—the practical mechanisms that keep you on track daily. I share my personal accountability toolkit, including written plans, calendar systems, accountability partnerships, and environmental cues that have helped me consistently achieve my professional objectives.

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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Bonus episode #88: Your internal business processes are either empowering your team or quietly sabotaging your organization's success. As finance leaders, we must ensure our systems add value rather than create obstacles to growth and profitability.

Monthly close procedures provide a perfect example of process challenges. While the goal remains consistent across organizations—producing accurate financial statements and comprehensive business performance snapshots—execution varies dramatically. Many finance teams struggle with inefficient sequences, excessive approval layers, and outdated methodologies that transform what should be a streamlined operation into a dreaded monthly ordeal. The growing interest in "day zero close" reflects this widespread frustration with traditional approaches.

Episode outline:

1. Do your processes cause frustration?
2. Are your senior leaders receiving what they need?
3. Do your processes encourage long-term growth?
4. Are you reviewing your processes?

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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Bonus episode # 87: Where are your 2025 goals right now? If you've stalled or need to recalibrate, you're not alone. Sometimes life shifts dramatically after we set our annual targets, requiring us to adjust without abandoning our aspirations. Remember—adjusting your plan isn't quitting; it's strategic adaptation that keeps you moving forward while acknowledging your current reality.

Leadership excellence forms the heart of this episode, with a deep dive into five critical focus areas that transform good managers into exceptional leaders. Starting with setting the right example, we explore how performing the same work as your team while treating everyone with dignity creates the foundation for leadership credibility. Holding people accountable—perhaps the greatest service you can provide—helps develop future leaders while clearing pathways for team excellence by identifying and removing obstacles that prevent optimal performance. Strategic thinking, the ability to anticipate future developments and prepare accordingly, separates visionary leaders from reactive managers. We also tackle the sometimes challenging reality that your boss's priorities must become your priorities, using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to balance urgent tasks with important initiatives.

The episode culminates with perhaps the most significant leadership responsibility: elevating others through thoughtful development opportunities. While some team members prefer routine responsibilities, high-potential individuals thrive when challenged with projects that stretch their capabilities without causing burnout. Throughout these leadership principles runs the common thread of self-care—proper sleep, nutrition, exercise, and downtime aren't luxuries but necessities that enable sustained leadership excellence. Technical expertise might be expected, but the true measure of leadership lies in your ability to elevate team performance to unprecedented levels. Ready to transform your leadership approach? Visit financeleaderacademy.com for additional resources to continue your development journey.

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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Bonus episode #86: When was the last time your finance team truly worked as a single unit rather than a collection of individuals? In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how leadership transforms independent contributors into high-performing teams that accomplish seemingly impossible goals.

Trust forms the bedrock of exceptional team performance. We delve into how leaders can cultivate environments where team members take calculated risks, collaborate effectively, and support one another through challenges. This trust doesn't happen by accident—it requires deliberate leadership focused on fairness, consistency, and mutual respect.

Clear communication emerges as the essential bridge between leadership intentions and team execution. We explore practical approaches to communication that eliminate confusion and align everyone toward common goals. From structured one-on-one meetings to effective team gatherings, we examine how communication patterns directly impact performance outcomes in finance organizations.

The episode also tackles practical strategies for enhancing team capabilities, including task automation, elimination of unnecessary processes, and delegation frameworks like the Eisenhower Decision Matrix. These approaches help finance teams manage their demanding workloads more effectively while focusing on high-value activities.

Beyond the tactical, we explore the deeper elements of team development—creating individual growth plans, establishing accountability without micromanagement, and fostering an environment where team members hold each other to high standards. These elements combine to create teams capable of sustained excellence rather than merely occasional high performance.

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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