Bridging the Generational Gap: Transforming Leadership for a New Era with Madeline Miller

Jan 14, 2025

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Episode Title: Bridging the Generational Gap: Transforming Leadership for a New Era with Madeline Miller

Episode Notes:

In this episode of the Young CPA Success Show, the host and co-hosts Joey and Hannah discuss the challenges faced by young professionals, particularly in accounting, with guest Madeline Miller, a coach with a background in law and entertainment. They explore generational stereotypes, the importance of good leadership, and the need for purpose and recognition in the workplace. Madeline shares her journey and emphasizes the significance of empathy, mentorship, and building supportive work environments. The conversation highlights the evolving expectations of younger generations and the role of leaders in fostering inclusive and fulfilling workplaces.

"I had been thinking a lot about how I was showing up at work, and whether I was showing up as the leader I wanted to be, and I really had to go back and reinvent the wheel and teach myself what that meant." – Madeline Miller

The finer details of this episode:

Challenges faced by young accounting professionals and early-career individuals.
Generational stereotypes and perceptions in the workplace.
The impact of remote and hybrid work environments on workplace dynamics.
The importance of interpersonal skills and relationship-building.
The need for training in conflict management and leadership skills.

Episode resources:

● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/

● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com

● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/

● You can find more from Madeline at her website: https://coachingwithmadeline.com/about-madeline-miller/

Timestamps:

Welcome to the Young CPA Success Show (00:00:00)

Introduction to the podcast and its focus on guiding young accounting professionals.

Setting the Scene (00:00:23)

Discussion of excitement around the episode featuring guest Madeline Miller.

Generational Assumptions in the Workplace (00:01:04)

Hannah reflects on assumptions made about millennials in the workplace.

Bad Managers vs. Bad Jobs (00:02:08)

Joey emphasizes that employees leave bad managers, not just bad jobs.

Creating Good Workspaces (00:03:12)

Call to action for leaders to foster better work environments for younger generations.

Epiphanies During the Conversation (00:04:22)

Hannah shares insights gained from the conversation with Madeline.

Madeline's Background (00:05:07)

Madeline discusses her journey from law to coaching, emphasizing purpose and direction.

Searching for Fulfillment (00:08:42)

Discussion on the common feeling of searching for fulfillment in one's career.

Identifying Common Themes (00:08:55)

Madeline explains what she looks for in clients feeling lost in their careers.

Purpose and Recognition in Work (00:09:28)

Madeline highlights the importance of feeling purposeful and recognized in work.

Coaching for Authenticity (00:11:07)

Discussion on closing the gap between current and desired workplace behavior.

Nurturing Future Leaders (00:13:34)

Madeline discusses coaching leaders on nurturing purpose in their teams.

Shifting from Technical to Leadership Skills (00:16:23)

Joey and Madeline explore the challenges of transitioning to leadership roles in careers.

The Importance of Developing Future Leaders (00:18:20)

Madeline discusses her approach to shaping the next generation of leaders and the importance of mentorship.

Shifting Skills in the Workforce (00:19:02)

Joey highlights the transition from technical skills to advisory roles in accounting and other industries.

Gen Z's Desire for Impact (00:20:09)

Joey shares insights on Gen Z's eagerness to make a positive impact compared to previous generations.

Empathy in Leadership (00:20:37)

Madeline discusses Gen Z's demand for empathy from managers, reflecting on generational differences in expectations.

Intergenerational Challenges (00:21:47)

Hannah notes the challenges faced by different generations in the workplace, particularly regarding career fulfillment.

Communicating Purpose in the Industry (00:22:58)

Hannah emphasizes the need for leaders to effectively communicate purpose to attract Gen Z to accounting careers.

Simple Steps to Foster Purpose (00:23:50)

Madeline outlines basic actions leaders can take to help employees feel purposeful and engaged at work.

The Impact of Good Management (00:25:01)

Discussion on how good managers can significantly influence employee satisfaction and retention.

The Role of Interpersonal Skills (00:26:20)

The speakers reflect on the importance of interpersonal relationships in the workplace for long-term fulfillment.

Conflict Management Skills (00:27:12)

Madeline discusses the necessity of teaching conflict management skills to navigate workplace relationships effectively.

Building Resilience in the Workplace (00:29:27)

The conversation shifts to the importance of resilience and continuous practice in handling workplace challenges.

Understanding Gen Z's Unique Challenges (00:31:02)

Joey highlights the distinct challenges Gen Z faces in the workforce compared to previous generations.

Curiosity in Leadership (00:31:54)

Madeline encourages leaders to adopt a curious mindset to better understand and support younger employees.

Independence and Entrepreneurship (00:34:35)

Joey discusses how Gen Z's independence challenges traditional business structures and offers opportunities for growth.

Nurturing Staff Through Coaching (00:35:45)

Madeline advocates for group coaching as a cost-effective way to support and develop younger employees.

Leadership Mindset Shift (00:36:41)

Discussion on the need for leadership to proactively engage with younger generations.

Creating Infrastructure for Engagement (00:37:07)

Emphasis on building systems that facilitate communication and support for younger professionals.

Assumptions in the Workplace (00:37:11)

Importance of avoiding assumptions and encouraging open dialogue among colleagues.

Building Camaraderie in the Workplace (00:38:21)

Sharing experiences of how informal interactions fostered strong work relationships.

Impact of Remote Work on Relationships (00:38:44)

Reflection on how remote work limits opportunities for bonding and relationship building.

Networking Through Work Relationships (00:39:55)

How professional connections made in early career stages can influence future opportunities.

Personal Vision and Mission Statements (00:41:15)

Discussion on the value of personal mission statements in guiding career paths.

Two-Way Value in Sharing Goals (00:42:23)

Exploration of how sharing personal goals with managers can enhance workplace relationships.

Leadership Opportunities at All Levels (00:43:46)

Encouragement that every role in an organization has the potential for leadership.

Empowering Younger Staff (00:45:36)

The benefits of encouraging younger employees to adopt a leadership mindset.

Contacting Madeline for Resources (00:46:28)

Information on how to reach Madeline Miller for coaching and resources.