Essential Mindset and Empathy Skills for Young Accountants with Chris Papin

“It’s just so important to show up positive, to show up kind, to just put forth the best that you can because you just don’t know what’s going on in the background.” – Hannah Hood

The finer details of this episode:

• Guidance for young accounting professionals in their early careers
• Importance of mindset and adaptability in navigating change within the accounting profession
• Personal anecdotes highlighting lessons learned from mentors
• The role of empathy and positivity in client interactions
• Understanding emotional responses to change and its impact on communication
• Transitioning from technical skills to advisory roles in accounting
• Building meaningful relationships with clients beyond transactional interactions
• Embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth and effective communication
• The significance of being present and adaptable during client conversations
• Encouragement to invest in personal development through learning from experiences and others

Episode resources:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• We’re hiring! Check out our open positions: https://www.summitcpa.net/career-opportunities
• Connect with Chris here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispapin/
• Check out Papin CPA here: https://www.papincpa.com/

Timestamps: 

Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:00)

The host welcomes young accounting professionals and introduces the purpose of the podcast.

Theme of Growth and Learning (00:00:23)

Joey discusses the importance of mindset for growth in accounting careers and shares personal lessons.

Mentorship Anecdote (00:00:49)

Joey reflects on lessons learned from his first mentor, Ralph, emphasizing opportunity cost and life lessons.

Mindset and Change (00:02:03)

Joey connects his mentor's lessons to adapting to change in the accounting profession and personal mindset.

Empathy in Client Interactions (00:03:24)

Hannah shares experiences working with clients, highlighting the importance of empathy and positivity.

Inevitability of Change (00:04:23)

Joey emphasizes that change is certain and discusses preparing oneself to respond effectively.

Comfort with Change (00:05:28)

Joey reflects on the comfort of structure in accounting and the need to adapt to change.

Psychology of Change Management (00:06:31)

Chris discusses the psychological aspects of change management and how emotions influence client behavior.

Skills Gap in Accounting (00:08:53)

Hannah notes the changing landscape of the accounting industry and the skills gap in change management.

Importance of Flexibility (00:10:58)

Chris emphasizes the necessity of being adaptable in client conversations and the evolving expectations.

Balancing Processes and Flexibility (00:12:25)

Joey discusses the need for foundational processes to enable agile conversations with clients.

Interconnectedness of Planning and Financials (00:14:08)

Chris highlights the relationship between business plans and financial statements in advisory roles.

Building Trust with Clients (00:17:09)

Chris shares strategies for fostering trust and open communication with clients for effective advisory work.

Practice and Real Conversations (00:19:10)

Joey talks about the importance of practice in preparing for difficult conversations in a professional setting.

Football Analogy for Preparation (00:20:43)

Joey and Chris discuss the relevance of practice in various fields, using football as a metaphor for preparation.

Tom Brady's Legacy (21:01)

Discussion on how perseverance and fundamentals can lead to success, illustrated by Tom Brady's comeback.

Embracing Discomfort (22:31)

The importance of being comfortable with discomfort for long-term success in client interactions and conversations.

Learning from Experience (23:34)

Sharing personal experiences of learning through practice and adapting one's style to improve client communication.

The Psychology of Communication (24:52)

Understanding emotional responses and the need for adaptability in client interactions to foster deeper relationships.

Redefining Success (27:34)

A conversation on how generational views on success and failure impact personal growth and professional development.

The Value of Conversations (33:29)

Highlighting the importance of meaningful conversations over rigid agendas in client meetings for building trust.

Creating Safe Spaces (35:09)

Discussing the vulnerability in financial conversations and the need for advisors to create a safe environment.

Making a Difference (38:15)

Illustrating the impact of timely assistance in client relationships and the importance of servant leadership in advisory roles.

Personal Fulfillment in Client Relationships (00:40:54)

Hannah shares a personal story about overcoming a difficult client interaction and the fulfillment gained from perseverance.

Understanding Client Reactions (00:42:42)

Discussion on how client reactions often stem from their own issues, not the service provider's actions.

The Reality of Client Interactions (00:43:27)

Hannah acknowledges that client relationships can be challenging and are influenced by clients' personal lives.

Connecting with Chris Papin (00:43:56)

Hannah invites listeners to connect with Chris Papin for additional resources and insights on LinkedIn.

Opportunities for Young CPAs (00:44:47)

Joey encourages young CPAs to explore career development and remote work opportunities with their organization.