The Upstream Leader Podcast
Upstream Academy – Jeremy Clopton
High-yield and low-maintenance: This is your ultimate goal as an accounting firm member, regardless of where you are in your career journey. Brought to you by Upstream Academy, The Upstream Leader Podcast is your source for insights and education on becoming a high performing firm leader.
Join host Jeremy Clopton for interviews with insightful, engaging and entertaining experts, who share knowledge and expertise on firm best practices, processes, technology and more! With a focus on culture, teams, clients and growth, you’ve found your passport to building a better career. Join us to become an Upstream Leader!
Join host Jeremy Clopton for interviews with insightful, engaging and entertaining experts, who share knowledge and expertise on firm best practices, processes, technology and more! With a focus on culture, teams, clients and growth, you’ve found your passport to building a better career. Join us to become an Upstream Leader!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 21, 2022 • 35min
Life is Your Leadership Class
On Episode 21 of The Upstream Leader, Dennis Sherrin, CEO at the Avizo Group, joins Heath Alloway. Dennis discusses how leaders can cultivate insights from their life experiences and maximize their unique strengths. He also talks about the aspects of accounting that keep him excited about the profession, the importance of soft skills, and the transformation the industry will undergo over the next several years. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Feb 7, 2022 • 28min
Debrief: Learn from Each Mission
On episode 20 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway discusses the importance of the debrief with U.S. Air Force and commercial pilot, Taylor Fox. Taylor explains the Air Force’s approach to the debrief as a fact-finding exercise, not only to determine who was responsible for things that went wrong, but what the cause was for what went right. Through the debrief process, efficiency and accountability are increased for all involved—and even those who weren’t there. The takeaways are invaluable for future mission planning, a key link to the accounting profession. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jan 24, 2022 • 34min
Focusing on Purpose over Profits
On Episode 19 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton speaks with John Sensiba, Managing Partner of Sensiba San Filippo LLP. John discusses how his firm transitioned to a purpose driven, client-centric model through changes in compensation structure and B Corp certification. He emphasizes the impact purpose can have on retention and recruiting, and offers advice to leaders seeking to reorient their workplaces’ priorities. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jan 10, 2022 • 29min
Looking Back – Moving Forward
On Episode 18 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton and Heath Alloway come together to discuss the podcast’s first year. They look back at key insights they’ve gleaned from their guests, and their own work in the profession, while discussing strategies and mindsets to aid firms and accountants in forging their futures. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Dec 13, 2021 • 33min
Marketing's Role in Leadership
On Episode 17 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Katie Tolin, the CEO and owner of CPA Growth Guides, about the important role marketing professionals play within CPA firms. Katie stresses the importance for marketing professionals of finding one’s own career path, treating the members of a firm like one’s clients, with whom you’re sharing your specialized expertise, and how to get a “seat at the table” on the firm’s important marketing decisions. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 29, 2021 • 35min
Creating Connection through Communication
Alexandra Bond Burnett, host of the Ambition to Impact podcast, joins Jeremy Clopton on episode 16 of The Upstream Leader. A speaking and impact coach, Alexandra breaks down the elements of communication, offers advice on how to make your communication impactful through a focus on three pillars—influence, connect, and affect—and demystifies the entire concept of communication in an accessible, attainable way. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 15, 2021 • 26min
Changing Your Thinking to Change Your Future
On Episode 15 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton talks to Natalie Gillard, the creator of FACTUALITY the Game, which simulates structural inequality in America. Natalie shares the origins of FACTUALITY and discusses how she cultivates positivity and practices holistic minimalism to sustain her momentum in her work. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Nov 1, 2021 • 30min
The Opportunity in Uncertainty
On episode 14 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Joey Havens, Managing Partner for Strategic Growth at HORNE LLP. Joey’s recently published article in the Journal of Accountancy outlined the benefits and opportunities that have been presented by the Covid pandemic. He explains some of the details of his article, as well as touching on the potential pitfalls for accounting firms not just with Covid, but because of the profession’s tendency to be risk-averse. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Oct 17, 2021 • 37min
Innovation with Optimism
On Episode 13 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway talks to Rachel Anderson, director of the efactory, about innovation and the importance for leaders to embrace it. She discusses her own leadership journey, the process-driven nature of innovation, and how conquering micro-goals can lead to bigger, better developments. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Oct 3, 2021 • 27min
Conquering the Generation Gap – Quarterly Recap
Heath Alloway and Jeremy Clopton come together for their second quarterly recap in episode 12, and the focus of their conversation is viewing people as people, rather than generations. They talk about the misperceptions that can get generalized to entire generations, the nearly generic buzzword that “millennials” has become, and how important it is to integrate the ideas and values of every generation in your firm to ensure its success. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
