Building a Powerful Network and a Collaborative Future
Release Date: 11/25/2024
Authentic Leadership: Crafting Your Legacy
The Upstream Leader Podcast
To kick off the second hundred episodes of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy sits down with BJ Lippert, Managing Partner of Donovan CPAs, to explore themes of authenticity and legacy in the profession from a leadership point of view. BJ stepped into a role previously held by a family legacy, and so he has faced unique challenges in making his own mark on Donovan CPAs. In his words, he believes “values matter, systems drive predictable success,” and that fun is a core tenet, and all of this informs his decisions and approach. BJ is committed to shaping his firm’s future by focusing on...
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Milestone Reflections: The Upstream Leader Hits 100
The Upstream Leader Podcast
In this milestone 100th episode, host Jeremy Clopton and producer Justin Grant reflect on the journey of The Upstream Leader Podcast—from its early days and evolving format to the stories and guests that have shaped its community. Noting that the show has been a mainstay even as the landscape of the accounting profession has transformed so dramatically in the meantime, they revisit their favorite episodes and discuss just a few of the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Jeremy and Justin also look ahead to the next hundred episodes, inviting listeners to share their ideas and join in...
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The Ethics and Utility of AI in the Profession
The Upstream Leader Podcast
How can professionals harness AI while maintaining their ethics and keeping their skills sharp? On Episode 99 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton welcomes Emily Primeaux, Writing Manager at Dragonfly Editorial, to discuss AI’s role in the workplace. They explore why AI’s goal to appease users can be both helpful and risky, the ethical challenges of AI-assisted content, and how to introduce training around AI into your onboarding processes. AI, like any other tool, can be powerful in the right hands and with the right approach, and Emily has a robust approach to ensuring that is exactly...
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Connection and Connectedness: Not Two Sides of the Same Coin
The Upstream Leader Podcast
Jeremy Clopton has an important message about connection on Episode 98 of The Upstream Leader. Connection is something that is easy to confuse with connectedness—something that is at an all-time high thanks to technology. But as he’s seen at this year’s HeadWaters Conference, at retreats and in lots of other interactions, all this connectedness doesn’t have anything to do with the creation of meaningful relationships. So in this episode, Jeremy has sought to offer practical advice on what it means to make a genuine connection, how to make that happen in a natural and organic way, and...
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How Do You Know Your Worth?
The Upstream Leader Podcast
Dr. Meg Myers Morgan joins Jeremy Clopton to discuss the importance of self-worth and how it impacts one's career on Episode 97 of The Upstream Leader. They explore how self-worth should not be tied solely to monetary success, but should involve discovering purpose and joy in one's professional life. Meg shares her personal journey of understanding self-worth through raising her daughters and discusses the challenges of pricing oneself, particularly in the accounting profession. They also touch on the psychological aspects of worth, how it influences pricing, and why transparent conversations...
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The Power of Questions: Redefining Leadership
The Upstream Leader Podcast
Larissa Bunker, COO and EOS Integrator at Nichols Accounting Group, joins Jeremy on Episode 96 of The Upstream Leader to share her journey to leadership, emphasizing the power of asking questions. They delve into how leaders can create a culture that encourages questions rather than solely providing directives, and the insight, creativity and growth having a question-oriented culture can unlock. This goes hand-in-hand with fostering relationships and engaging team members to create more effective, collaborative environments, and Larissa discusses ways employees, whether they’re in the first...
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The Upstream Growth Triangle: Your Firm Success Framework
The Upstream Leader Podcast
Join Jeremy Clopton on this solo Episode 95 of The Upstream Leader as he addresses the vital role of people in the accounting profession’s future. Jeremy looks back on the discussions he’s had with industry leaders in recent months about the current and future state of accounting, and the recurring theme has been the necessity of developing your people as key differentiators—differentiators that stave off commoditization and make your firm and its services stand out to clients. Jeremy uses the Upstream Growth Triangle, consisting of accountability, adversity, and advocacy, as a framework...
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Is AI Killing the Need for Technical Experts?
The Upstream Leader Podcast
The Upstream Leader goes a different direction on Episode 94, with host Jeremy Clopton inviting producer Justin Grant of to the “other side of the booth” to discuss the evolving role of technology in accounting. Keeping in mind AI’s obvious impact, they talk about the way technology has changed and should continue to change the role of the technical expert and the way firms develop their people. Competitive advantages can be cultivated through transformed onboarding processes, valuing critical thinking and soft skills, and breaking with the old, traditional ways of “grunt work” as...
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Leadership Evolution: Fractional Executives in Accounting
The Upstream Leader Podcast
Jen Hamilton, founder of Hamilton COOs and the Fractional COO Collective, joins Jeremy on Episode 93 of The Upstream Leader to discuss the increasing trend of fractional executives within accounting firms and why they’ve proven to be so effective. Jen shares her journey from a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to becoming a thought leader in fractional executive roles, highlighting the development of her emotional intelligence (EQ) and leadership skills in progressing her career. Jen addresses common misconceptions about fractional executives and offers advice for firms considering this model to...
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Self-Reflection’s Deep Role in Productivity
The Upstream Leader Podcast
On Episode 92 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton interviews Blake Stratton, the founder of True Productive. They discuss the importance of mindset reflection for improving productivity, going further than traditional time management tactics to really take stock of what’s going on with you mentally and psychologically in order to re-write the “software” that can unknowingly hold you back and lead to blocks in your emotional state and even your level of success. Blake explains these concepts through his personal journey of high stress and chronic productivity challenges, emphasizing...
info_outlineHeath Alloway hosts an insightful Episode 80 of The Upstream Leader featuring Caitlin Gibbs, Matt Skinner, and Trevor Brown. This landmark episode, the first ever with three guests, is an exploration of the evolving landscape of the accounting profession, with the panel touching on leadership development and networking, mentoring, challenges within the profession, and the importance of collaboration among firms. Highlighting the impact of technology and strategies for business development and talent retention, the panelists offer valuable perspectives on sustaining growth, enhancing work-life balance, and enticing the next generation of accountants to join what they consider a profession that is full of potential.
Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com