The uncomfortable work of leadership

Journal of Accountancy Podcast

Half a life ago, Michael Brody-Waite didn’t think he was going to make it to his 25th birthday. Today, he’s an author, entrepreneur, and leadership coach preparing to deliver the keynote address at the AICPA & CIMA Employee Benefit Plans Conference in May.

In the address, he will share details of a leadership framework — using his experience as an addict in recovery as a backdrop. Three principles of the framework relate to authenticity, the ability to let go, and the importance of uncomfortable work.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• Why he says that most leaders are “addicted to doing.”
• The three principles of “addictive leadership.”
• The reasons, according to Brody-Waite, that those principles relate well to the accounting profession.
• Some of the excuses he made and others he blamed for his substance abuse.
• Why the advice “don’t be scared” should be avoided.
• The delegation lessons that can be taken from the principle of “surrendering the outcome.”
• Why uncomfortable work is different than hard work or difficult work.
• Brody-Waite’s message to conference attendees.