Shared Ownership, Shared Accountability
The Forward Thinking Podcast, Powered by FCCS
Release Date: 09/05/2025
The Forward Thinking Podcast, Powered by FCCS
Whether you’re leading an organization, your team, or even your own next chapter, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about limits, resilience, and the circle of possibilities. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and FCCS Learning Exchange keynote speaker Tom Turcich, author, speaker, and one of the 10 people who have ever walked around the world (and the first to do so with a dog). Their conversation is a story about endurance, direction, and what it really means to plant a flag in your own...
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From boardrooms to headlines, vendor pitches to strategy decks, AI is suddenly everywhere. For many leaders, the conversations surrounding AI can be confusing and overwhelming. Is AI really helpful, or just overhyped? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Michael Thomas, Chief Data Scientist at Ketchbrook Analytics for a conversation about AI without the BS – by demystifying AI misconceptions, exploring AI opportunities and risks, and understanding how leaders today can implement AI into the broader digital...
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What happens when governance goes wrong? A set of negative patterns is usually the culprit, with small breakdowns quietly building over time until boards find themselves struggling with trust, clarity, or effectiveness. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Chad Klawetter, Vice President of Board Governance and Development at FCCS, and Barb Wilkinson, Senior Board Governance Consultant at FCCS. Together, they examine the four warning signs that, left unaddressed, can seriously undermine a board’s ability to lead,...
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There is a path in career advancement that isn’t always easy to navigate – the spot between individual contributor and seasoned manager. How can you be an influence at work when you don’t have authority? Communicating and influencing effectively requires shifting from a tactical mindset to a more strategic view. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Sally Williamson, CEO of Sally Williamson & Associates, Executive Coach, Executive Presence Expert, Author, Speaker and Storyteller. Together, they consider...
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In a time when organizations are navigating generational change, evolving leadership expectations, and shifting workforce dynamics, cooperative boards have a unique opportunity to lead differently, anchored in values, purpose, and shared ownership. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Vice President of Organizational Development for FCCS Jay Lux, and Angie Coleman, Organizational Development Consultant with FCCS. Their conversation centers around director strategies for connecting with the spirit of cooperative...
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Cyberthreats are everywhere, and while they may be inevitable, their impact can be manageable. Institutions who are prepared for cybersecurity disruptions are proactive and collaborative about their response. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Lisa Parrinello, FCCS VP of Risk Management & Insurance Services and Naomi Baumann, FCCS VP of Claims & Insurance Services. Together they discuss how Farm Credit’s Captive Insurance Company is helping institutions strengthen their cyberdefenses and what boards of...
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How strong are your conversation skills? Whether you are stepping into a boardroom, attending a networking event, or connecting with coworkers over coffee, the way you show up in conversations matters. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tracy Hooper, founder of the Confidence Project and author of The NOW Hello. Their conversation is filled with practical tips, personal stories, and the small language shifts that make a big difference in how we connect with others. Episode Insights Include: ...
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Today’s topic is positioned at the intersection of technology and humanity. How do we stay truly human in the age of digital intelligence? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Lisa Waldren, storyteller, speaker and coach. She highlights what it really means to stay human, shares strategies for leaders to balance efficiency with empathy, and offers recommendations to help any team thrive in this rapidly changing workplace. Episode Insights Include: Staying human in the age of AI ...
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In today’s dynamic lending environment, meeting client needs requires more than individual excellence; it demands shared ownership and accountability across every level of the organization. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Mike Evans, author and speaker on leadership, and speaker at the upcoming Sales Leaders Conference. He shares insights into building resilient, accountable and high-performing teams in an increasingly complex and demanding landscape, and what leaders can do to increase accountability on...
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Forward thinking leaders know that fostering innovation, developing company culture and effective communication always starts at the top. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tom Truitt, CEO of Horizon Farm Credit and winner of the FCCS 2024 Accelerator of the Year Award. Together, they define acceleration in the face of organizational change, consider what it takes to foster innovation from the top down, and discuss some of the valuable leadership lessons that Tom has learned over the years. He shares the...
info_outlineIn today’s dynamic lending environment, meeting client needs requires more than individual excellence; it demands shared ownership and accountability across every level of the organization. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Mike Evans, author and speaker on leadership, and speaker at the upcoming Sales Leaders Conference. He shares insights into building resilient, accountable and high-performing teams in an increasingly complex and demanding landscape, and what leaders can do to increase accountability on their teams.
Episode Insights Include:
Drivers behind the demand for increased agility
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Peak-performing organizations know that accountability and leadership are essential.
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Excelling in ‘future work’ requires the fast, flexible and agile will succeed.
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Those who are unwilling to adapt will find themselves increasingly vulnerable.
Common obstacles that impede accountability
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Are you an accountable person? Do you need to see more accountability in your team or organization?
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If we consider ourselves accountable, why do we still demand more accountability from others?
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100 people will give you 100 different definitions of accountability. How can it be standardized?
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Many organizations have a generally negative definition of accountability.
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If accountability is viewed as a negative, people will resist embracing it.
Redefining accountability
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What percentage of leaders believe that they communicate well?
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What percentage of teams believe that their leaders communicate?
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How can the gap between these two numbers be decreased in effective ways?
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Define meaningful, measurable, and memorable goals to improve results.
Nurturing a culture of accountability
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The 20 best practices will help employees clearly understand where they need improvement.
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Leaders need to model best practices first.
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Teams need to see a behavior in their leaders before they will take it on themselves.
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Best practices must be integrated into daily routines.
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Accountability, collaboration and mindsets are essential to thriving in today’s competitive landscape.
The impact of AI in today’s competitive landscape
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A variety of futurists and global leaders weigh in on the change that AI will bring.
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How will your company stand out when competing with all-knowing machines?
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Curiosity is an essential key to standing out.
First steps for leaders to encourage accountability
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What your team sees you do is what they will do.
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Does your team have the resources necessary to keep learning?
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If you’re not listening to your team, don’t expect commitment from them.
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Leaders need to develop these skills in themselves first.
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You can’t make anyone else more accountable.
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Watch for warning signs that accountability is not taking place.
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Create a culture that is more focused on results than activity.
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Remain open to the perspectives of others.
This podcast is powered by FCCS.
Resources
Connect with Mike Evans — Mike Evans
Get in touch
info@fccsconsulting.com
“Those who are unwilling to adapt will find themselves vulnerable and at the mercy of the competition.” — Mike Evans
“We may think that we see ourselves as doing things really well when it comes to accountability, but we don’t see where we’re dropping the ball.” — Mike Evans
“When leader communication is crystal clear, people will surprise you with their ingenuity.” — Mike Evans
“When people can see the why, they will astound you with their ability to become engaged, collaborative, innovative and creative.” — Mike Evans
“Leaders can’t expect anyone else to change their behavior unless they demonstrate it first.” — Mike Evans
“The white waters of change are not going to calm anytime soon. If anything, they are going to become more turbulent.” — Mike Evans
“What we’ve done in the past cannot be relied upon to get us where we need to be in the future.” — Mike Evans