
The Finance Leader Podcast
Stephen McLain
Leadership development can lead to greater promotion potential. This podcast is hosted by Stephen McLain, a U.S. Army-Retired Finance Officer. After retirement, Stephen transitioned to working as a Business Consultant in Corporate Finance and Accounting. Topics will be dedicated to leadership and strategic mindset development for Finance and Accounting professionals, where we will focus on the four key Finance Leader responsibilities: 1) influence, 2) developing our team, 3) achieving results, and 4) seeing the future . Please listen to the trailer so you can check it out. Thank you!
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Top 10 The Finance Leader Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Finance Leader Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Finance Leader Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Finance Leader Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Bonus Episode 50: Inspire Your Team to Win
The Finance Leader Podcast
12/13/22 • 15 min
Let’s wrap up 2022, but put off new ideas until next year. Enjoy your accomplishments, get some rest, enjoy your family, friends and colleagues, and put things in perspective.
Season 13 will debut on January 10th. We will be talking about our focus, priorities, and goals for 2023.
We are a primary source of inspiration and motivation for our team members. How we act and speak and make decisions serves to encourage, or even discourage, our team members as they tackle tough assignments and tasks. How we approach the work and adversity does have ripple effects on team productivity and morale. How can we do better, as leaders, to encourage our team members to be inspired, which then can translate into higher productivity, without being abusive?
The outline for the episode is:
- Great leaders bring out the best in their team,
- Let’s set a great example,
- Set a realistic vision, and
- Help others achieve their purpose and goals.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

065: The C-Suite Dynamic - How Senior Executives Partner Together to Lead the Organization
The Finance Leader Podcast
10/19/21 • 15 min
The C Suite is a partnership of senior leaders who must be committed to working with each other to properly guide their organization to success, while also ensuring that group think never takes hold. Senior executives must challenge each other professionally, execute the strategy, and solve complex problems together. It begins and ends with leaders willing to hold themselves accountable for the organization’s success and failures. It’s a partnership that can create long-standing value that benefits all critical stakeholders.
The episode follows this outline:
- It’s a partnership to deliver the strategy,
- Strategic mindset with a focus on value creation,
- Vision, influence, and communication are key, and
- Successes or failures rests with the C-suite.
Please join The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.
Please follow me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Bonus Episode 22: Our Mental Health
The Finance Leader Podcast
06/29/21 • 4 min
I have noticed over the last few months on all my social media timelines that people are talking more about their mental health. It’s become a very hot topic. Our mental health is key to our long-term success, our relationships, our view of ourselves, and many other aspects of our lives.
Please visit a mental health professional to discuss your individual mental health concerns.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.
Please follow me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant

Bonus Episode 3: Doors Will Open
The Finance Leader Podcast
04/07/20 • 4 min
We will face change constantly in our careers and our personal lives. Doors will close and doors will open. For this bonus episode, I am discussing a few reasons why a door will close on us in our career. We should remain positive and keep looking for new opportunities. Always have your network ready and be helpful to others also.
Please read my blog post on Increasing Your Promotion Potential.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com.

102: Use the SMART Goal Setting Method for Better Goal Planning
The Finance Leader Podcast
01/24/23 • 9 min
When we set our goals, let’s use the SMART goal setting methodology so we set realistic goals that we can achieve because we have properly thought through the best way to plan them and achieve them. You know I how I feel about New Years’ resolutions, because at this point, most people have given up on them since they had no solid foundation in being achieved. Let’s plan out goals that make sense for us.
Episode outline:
- Be focused,
- The SMART Goal Setting technique, and
- Ensure you be BOLD this year.
1. SMART goal setting is a method of setting goals that is widely used in business and organizations. The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five criteria are used to ensure that goals are well-defined and achievable.
2. Specific: A specific goal has a clear target or outcome that is well defined. It should answer the questions of what, why and how
3. Measurable: A measurable goal can be quantified or tracked in some way. This allows for progress to be monitored and the goal's achievement to be evaluated.
4. Achievable: The goal should be realistic and attainable. It should be something that can be achieved with the resources and capabilities available.
5. Relevant: A relevant goal is one that aligns with the overall objectives and mission of the organization or individual.
6. Time-bound: A goal should have a specific deadline for completion. This creates a sense of urgency and helps to focus efforts towards achieving the goal.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

067: How CFOs Add Value to the Business
The Finance Leader Podcast
11/02/21 • 15 min
What value does the Chief Financial Officer add to the company? A CFO typically has a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a particular strategic skillset to help them navigate the challenges of leading an organization. But what do CFOs do to add value? The CFO Leads the Finance and Accounting teams who don’t only conduct reporting and transaction recording, but also can add tremendous value by analyzing opportunities in all sections of the profit and loss statement.
Episode outline:
- Advises the CEO, the executive team, and the board,
- Examines new opportunities within the P&L statement,
- Maximizes technology to develop better analysis and accounting practices,
- Safeguards company assets and it’s financial reputation, and
- Trains their team to partner with leaders around the company.
Please follow me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

100: The Impact of Finance and Accounting Leadership
The Finance Leader Podcast
12/02/22 • 14 min
Did you know that as a finance and accounting leader you can have a great, positive impact across your organization? Finance and Accounting professionals do more than just analysis and record financial transactions. We help lead change. We bring reality with the numbers. We advise with critical insights and help to shape and execute strategy. Leadership is the ability to communicate a vision that is easily understood by everyone and then...creating a pathway for your team and others to follow. Finance and accounting leadership is critical for an organization, so they apply numbers to strategy and to execution. How are you embracing the role of leader, and...do you yet realize the amazing impact you can have?
Episode outline:
- Find relevant insights to help build the business,
- Become a business advisor,
- Close the communication gap between teams,
- Transform and update our processes always, and
- Exercise your leadership ability to bring positive change.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

080: A Tough Conversation on Advocating for Yourself so you Advance Your Career
The Finance Leader Podcast
03/08/22 • 13 min
You need to be advocating for yourself when it comes to career opportunities, for raises, for promotions, to be on high visibility projects, for time off, for the right boundaries, and the list goes on. I am particularly speaking to the group of Finance and Accounting professionals who are truly dedicated and don’t ask for much in return. It’s time that you get rewarded for your hard work and you need to take action for these to happen. Start advocating for yourself and for your advancement today. No more accepting the first no you hear when it comes to asking for something beneficial for you. Advocate for key opportunities and advocate for yourself.
Episode outline:
- Advocate for yourself, because no one else will,
- You must clearly communicate your needs,
- Set healthy boundaries and expectations, and
- Own your career and your future.
Please connect with me:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
Consider joining The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.

066: The CFO Skillset for a Complex Business Environment
The Finance Leader Podcast
10/26/21 • 15 min
The modern CFO requires a different set of skills and perspective to navigate the complexities of the new global marketplace. Traditional business concepts are changing into more a dynamic and socially conscious environment where you must be able to solve much different problems than as a team manager. When you combine a strategic skillset with your finance and accounting knowledge plus a growth mindset, you will be able to succeed at the executive level.
The following outline is used during the outline:
- You must transition your skillset as you advance in role and responsibility,
- Anticipate the future business environment and coach the development of options within the decision-making process,
- Can you adapt and lead change,
- Clear and consistent communication includes being able to listen effectively, and
- Continue to grow personally and to develop your team.
Please join The Finance Leader Podcast Community Facebook Group, where we can talk leadership and the other topics I present here on the podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeleaderpodcast This is a good time to jump in and start sharing ideas and thoughts about leadership so we can help each other.
For more resources, please visit stephenmclain.com. On the website, you can download the Leadership Growth Blueprint for Finance and Accounting Managers. You can use this guide to develop your leadership by focusing on communication, and growing and empowering your team.
You can now purchase a course to help you advance your career from financeleaderacademy.com. It's called Advance Your Finance and Accounting Career: Developing a Promotion Strategy that Sets You Apart.
Please follow me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii

Mastering Genuine Positivity Without the Pitfalls
The Finance Leader Podcast
02/04/25 • 14 min
You can find the article here: "Does Your Boss Practice Toxic Positivity" by Mita Mallick
Episode 132 - What if the optimism you thought was boosting your team is actually holding them back? This episode uncovers the fine line between constructive positivity and its toxic counterpart, revealing how excessive optimism can manipulate teams, cause burnout, and lead to frustration. Drawing on insights from Mita Mallik, we explore how leaders can fall into the trap of weaponizing positivity, often at the expense of addressing real workplace challenges. True leadership goes beyond the surface, requiring a commitment to realistic goals and genuine support through coaching, training, and mentoring. Beware of surrounding yourself with 'yes' people and the dangers of groupthink, as we highlight the pivotal role finance leaders play in aligning resources with organizational goals.
Honest communication and transparency emerge as crucial tools for effective leadership. Inspired by the Army's principle of leading from the front, we discuss strategies for actively supporting your team, managing workloads, and setting realistic expectations. Our conversation is enriched by gratitude to Mita Mallik and Harvard Business Review, whose valuable insights offer a roadmap for personal development in leadership. As we focus on building trust and mutual respect, we invite you to steer clear of manipulation and equip your teams for success in a resource-constrained environment. Join us for an engaging discussion on fostering genuine work relationships and guiding your team with integrity.
Episode outline:
- The weaponization of being too positive,
- Be more realistic in your leadership style, and
- Validate your team members’ concerns, which can lead to better solutions.
Please connect with me on:
1. Instagram: stephen.mclain
2. Twitter: smclainiii
3. Facebook: stephenmclainconsultant
4. LinkedIn: stephenjmclainiii
For more resources, please visit Finance Leader Academy: financeleaderacademy.com.
The Office of the CFO Bootcamp Training Workshop: CFO Bootcamp
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Finance Leader Podcast have?
The Finance Leader Podcast currently has 221 episodes available.
What topics does The Finance Leader Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Management, Leadership, Accounting, Mindset, Personal Development, Podcasts, Finance, Self-Improvement, Education, Business and Coaching.
What is the most popular episode on The Finance Leader Podcast?
The episode title '099: Take More Risk in Your Career' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Finance Leader Podcast?
The average episode length on The Finance Leader Podcast is 15 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Finance Leader Podcast released?
Episodes of The Finance Leader Podcast are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Finance Leader Podcast?
The first episode of The Finance Leader Podcast was released on Jan 5, 2020.
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