The Upstream Leader Podcast

Jeremy Clopton visits with Monika Turek, Learning & Development Manager at HoganTaylor, on Episode 90 of The Upstream Leader. Centering their discussion on maximizing your and colleagues' potential by fostering a culture of learning and moving beyond the traditional CPE mindset, Monika tells Jeremy about her personal journey to leadership, her willingness to go first, and what she learned from various structured development programs. Highlighting personal accountability, setting incremental goals, and making professional development paths meaningful for individual growth, they also tackle the challenges of balancing compliance with genuine learning, and how organizations can create motivating environments that align professional development with company core values.

Jeremy is joined by Jana Cinnamon, COO and partner at Abdo Solutions, to discuss the intersection of hospitality and accounting on Episode 89 of The Upstream Leader. They explore how infusing hospitality into client interactions can transform the profession and improve both client and employee experiences. Jana shares insights about their firm's initiatives inspired by the book Unreasonable Hospitality, emphasizing the importance of infusing a hospitality mindset into every level of an organization. The conversation highlights that fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to provide exceptional service not only improves client satisfaction but also attracts and retains top talent—and that insights into how to do this don't just have to come from the accounting profession—inspiration is everywhere.

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On this solo Episode 88 of The Upstream Leader Podcast, host Jeremy Clopton shares insights from recent meetings with managing partners of accounting firms across the U.S. and Canada. Jeremy focuses on three major themes: the importance of consistency over intensity in both client and employee experiences, the need to change assumptions about people's capabilities and responsibilities, and the crucial role of accountability and clear expectations among partners. Aimed at improving firm culture, client service, and leadership, Jeremy provides actionable reflections to help elevate your and your firm's performance consistently throughout the year.

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Jeremy Clopton delves into a hot topic—alternative ownership models in the accounting profession—with Steve Shein, co-founder of Franklin Alliance, on Episode 87 of The Upstream Leader. They explore the alliance model, an alternative to the more traditional PE and M&A routes. Steve's company specifically supports boutique accounting firms under $10 million in revenue by providing resources and strategic support without being prescriptive, with the goal of enabling these firms to draw on resources that typically only larger firms have enjoyed, with an emphasis on patient capital and reinvestment for long-term growth. There are challenges and opportunities for boutique firms in any scenario, especially those seeking to maintain independence while successfully navigating industry headwinds.

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Jeremy Clopton returns for Episode 86 of The Upstream Leader, engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with professional coach, speaker and educator, Andrew Donofrio. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, focusing on managing emotions and energy levels, especially during demanding periods like tax season. Andrew draws upon his diverse career in law enforcement, technology, and executive coaching to emphasize the significance of understanding and accepting different perspectives while still setting standards for performance and improvement from your charges. In addition to exploring practical strategies for improving emotional intelligence and maintaining high energy amid busy schedules, Andrew emphasizes the importance of deliberate self-care, particularly during peak times.

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Host Heath Alloway talks effective communication with Ben Decker on Episode 85 of The Upstream Leader. The Chairman and Co-CEO of Decker Communications, Ben focuses on the pivotal role communication plays in leadership. Sharing insights on becoming a better leader through humble confidence, the impact of early communication habits, and the critical importance of non-verbal cues, Ben details his approach to improving how professionals communicate, emphasizing the need for intentionality, curiosity, and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback. He pillories the "soft skill" label that communication is often saddled with due to its central role in professional and personal success, offering practical advice for introverts and those plagued with self-doubt.

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On Episode 84 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton sits down with Kelsey O'Connor, a former Division I athlete and graduate of NC State, to discuss her view of "Life Beyond Labels." Exploring how individuals, particularly high achievers in the accounting profession, can separate their identity from their accomplishments and focus on their qualities, attitude, and the way they treat others, Kelsey shares her personal journey of overcoming a severe concussion that ended her athletic career. Through actively describing others for who they are rather than what they do, embracing servant leadership, and making use of other methods of building confidence and empathy, Kelsey triumphed over her injury and ultimately gave her class's commencement speech, hitting on these very points. She also provides insights on preparing for significant life transitions, such as retirement, and maintaining a balanced sense of self throughout one's career.

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Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today, joins Jeremy Clopton for Episode 83 of The Upstream Leader to kick off 2025 with a slew of predictions. Discussing key themes such as the accelerating pace of change, technological advancements, and the impacts of private equity, Dan shares insights on the importance of technology investments, the evolving landscape of firm sizes, and strategies for adapting to ongoing changes. He also emphasizes the need for continuous learning and strategic planning to stay competitive as the one thread that will continue to run through everything the profession does, is change.

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It's time to close out 2024 and look ahead to 2025 on Episode 82 of The Upstream Leader featuring both Jeremy Clopton and Heath Alloway. Reflecting on key trends, they emphasize some major positives in the profession, including firms' increased focus on intentionality and being proactive with their business development plans. Comprised primarily of creating a sustainable growth strategy, and shifting towards running firms more like businesses, there are barriers, especially with regards to firm governance and the need for partners to hold themselves as much to account as they do the employees of the firm. They look forward to 2025, with insights on coaching and the impact of private equity, among others, but underscoring the discussion are the themes of purposeful growth and the benefits of fostering a culture of development and engagement.

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On Episode 81 of The Upstream Leader, host Heath Alloway welcomes return guest Karen Scott, co-founder of Lost & Found Grief Center. Karen is joined by Melanie Blair, Assistant Executive Director, and the discussion centers around supporting grieving employees. Exploring the impact of grief on productivity, the importance of flexible workplace policies, and the need for genuine acts of kindness from employers, Karen and Melanie emphasize the importance of community, personalized support, and proactive planning in helping employees navigate their grief journeys.

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