Meet Molly!

Zane Stevens interviews Molly Varangkounh, the Chief Sanity Officer, who shares her journey from an entry-level accountant to the president of a family-owned tractor parts business. Molly discusses the importance of curiosity, effective communication, and building trust in leadership. She emphasizes the need for businesses to understand their numbers and the value of collaborative leadership. After 20 years in the family business, Molly now focuses on consulting and helping other businesses navigate their challenges and achieve sustainable growth. In this conversation,

Molly discusses her role in helping business owners navigate their challenges, identify sources of anxiety, and facilitate change. She emphasizes the importance of understanding financials, building trust, and measuring impact. Molly shares her insights on leadership qualities, the joy of witnessing 'aha moments,' and her goals for team development. The conversation also touches on personal connections and the importance of perspective in leadership.

Takeaways

- Molly emphasizes that accounting is the language of business.

- She highlights the importance of curiosity and continuous improvement in her career.

- Building a relationship based on trust is crucial for effective communication.

- Molly learned to present financial information in a digestible way for her father.

- She believes in celebrating failures to create a safe environment for mistakes.

- Molly stresses the need to connect with employees on a personal level.

- She advises saying yes to opportunities to discover one's niche.

- Molly's approach to leadership involves asking questions rather than giving orders.

- She emphasizes the importance of follow-through to build trust within a team.

- Molly's consulting work focuses on helping businesses identify and solve their actual problems.

- Building trust is essential when solving business problems.

- Flexibility in problem-solving leads to better outcomes.

- Offering options empowers business owners to make decisions.

- Effective leaders listen and celebrate their team's strengths.

- Understanding multiple perspectives fosters a positive team environment.

Sound Bites

"Accounting is the language of business."

"Curiosity and continuous improvement are key."

"Follow through builds trust."

"I celebrated my failures."

"You need to connect on a personal level."

"I help businesses find their actual problems."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Molly Varangkounh

04:18 Career Development and Family Business

10:06 The Importance of Numbers in Business

15:34 Navigating Difficult Conversations

21:03 Building Collaborative Leadership

25:54 Creating a Safe Environment for Mistakes

27:42 Molly's New Path and Consulting Work

30:49 The Role of a Chief Sanity Officer

32:21 Understanding Business Owners' Challenges

34:14 Identifying Sources of Anxiety

36:51 Navigating Pushback from Business Owners

39:02 Facilitating Change and Decision-Making

41:35 Measuring Impact and Progress

43:30 The Joy of Aha Moments

44:56 Short-Term Goals and Team Development

47:31 Qualities of Effective Leadership

50:25 Advice for New Leaders

51:27 The Importance of Perspective

53:01 Personal Insights and Family Connections

54:08 Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Molly:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-varangkounh-17440270/

In this conversation, Zane Stevens interviews John Fenton, a seasoned leader in the accounting and coaching sectors. John shares his journey from a 30-year career in accounting to becoming a leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of vision, resilience, and relationship-building in both sports and business.

He reflects on his experiences in Division 1 football, the lessons learned about teamwork and leadership, and how these principles apply to navigating change in the corporate world. John also discusses the significance of staying true to one's values and the necessity of developing resilience in the face of challenges.

In this conversation, Zane Stevens and John Fenton explore the importance of identifying core values, the transition from a CPA firm partner to a coaching role, and the necessity of coaching in the accounting industry. They discuss coaching philosophies, the significance of gratitude in leadership, and provide advice for new leaders. John shares personal reflections on his purpose and the impact of vulnerability in leadership.

Takeaways

- John Fenton emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision in leadership.

- Building relationships is crucial in the accounting profession.

- Resilience and flexibility are essential skills in navigating change.

- Lessons from sports can be applied to business leadership.

- Sticking to one's values is key in decision-making.

- Teamwork and trust are foundational to success in any field.

- The path to leadership requires dedication and hard work.

- Understanding the dynamics of emotions can impact performance.

- It's important to focus on the next best action in challenging situations.

- The grass is not always greener; sometimes perseverance pays off. Many people lack clarity on their core values.

- Reflection is key to identifying personal values.

- Aligning values with work leads to greater happiness.

- Coaching is essential for growth in the accounting industry.

- Building relationships is crucial for effective leadership.

- Gratitude can significantly improve team dynamics.

- New leaders should focus on listening and understanding their team.

- Vulnerability in leadership fosters connection and growth.

- Goal setting should be focused and intentional.

- Continuous self-improvement is a hallmark of effective leadership.

Sound Bites

"You have to rely on other people."

"Vision is very clear."

"Focus on the next best action."

"Peopling is hard."

"Think differently, achieve more."

"What is my purpose?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Fenton and His Journey

01:40 Early Career in Accounting and Transition to Leadership

05:13 Lessons from Division One Football

11:03 The Importance of Leadership and Vision

15:21 Navigating Change and Resiliency in Business

24:26 Developing Resiliency and Staying True to Values

27:52 Identifying Core Values 34:06 Transitioning to Coaching

39:45 The Need for Coaching in Accounting

43:15 Coaching Philosophy and Style

51:36 Advice for New Leaders

54:04 Personal Reflections and Purpose

Connect with John:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjfentonceocoach/

Get the book, 5 Minute Mastery - https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-J.-Fenton/author/B07JF9LCS3?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Meet Rory!

Zane speaks with Rory Henry, a certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor, about the integration of behavioral finance and holistic wealth management. Rory discusses his journey from tax professional to wealth management, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a client's financial life. The conversation delves into the evolution of financial advisory, the significance of understanding clients' emotional relationships with money, and the necessity of having difficult conversations to guide clients toward their ideal futures.

Rory also explores the concept of money scripts and how they influence financial decisions, advocating for a values-based planning approach to create meaningful financial strategies. In this conversation they discuss the intricate relationship individuals have with money, the importance of self-assessment in financial planning, and the need for holistic approaches in wealth management. Rory shares insights from his new book aimed at accounting professionals, emphasizing the integration of behavioral finance and the necessity of engaging non-financial spouses in financial discussions. He also highlights his mission to reduce financial stress and expand financial literacy through media.

Takeaways

- Holistic financial planning encompasses all aspects of a client's financial life.

- Behavioral finance plays a crucial role in understanding client decisions.

- Asking the right questions can lead to deeper client insights.

- The emotional side of finance is often overlooked but essential for effective advisory.

- Engaging in future self-exercises can provide clarity on financial goals.

- The accounting profession is evolving into a more holistic advisory role.

- Improv can enhance personal development and public speaking skills.

- Asking for help is essential for growth and learning.

- The future of accounting is bright with many opportunities.

Sound Bites

"Return on relationship is key."

"We need to ask the right questions."

"We're advising clients from womb to tomb."

"Don't be afraid to ask for help."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Holistic Wealth Management

05:14 The Evolution of Financial Advisory

10:00 Understanding Holistic Financial Planning

15:10 The Role of Behavioral Finance

19:51 Navigating Difficult Conversations in Advisory

24:58 Exploring Money Scripts and Their Impact

30:01 The Future of Financial Advisory

30:01 The Importance of Self-Assessment in Financial Planning

31:00 Introducing the Book: A Guide for Accounting Professionals

34:18 The Value of Holistic Financial Planning

36:57 Engaging Non-Financial Spouses in Financial Conversations

38:49 Rory's Mission to Reduce Financial Stress

39:45 Future Goals: Expanding Financial Literacy through Media

41:18 The Role of Improv in Personal Development

46:58 Advice for New Accountants and the Future of the Profession

Connect with Rory:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roryshenry/

Get the book - https://advisror.com/