In episode 188 of The Woodard Report Podcast, Heather Day is joined by Randy Crabtree, President of The Brainstorm Group and founder and host of The Unique CPA podcast and the Bridging the Gap conference, for a conversation about burnout, belonging, and leadership.
Heather and Randy discussed how the conversation around burnout, mental health, and wellness has changed in the accounting profession and has become more open. Randy shared that this work has become part of his mission because too many professionals have spent years pushing through long hours, outdated expectations, and work models that are not sustainable.
They also talked about the role of community in helping professionals feel less isolated. Randy explained that some of the most meaningful conversations happen when people are together in person, whether that's in the halls, at dinner, or in the moments between sessions.
Heather brought up the opportunity AI creates for firms to reduce some of the repetitive work that has contributed to burnout. She also pointed out the risk that firms may use those efficiency gains to add more work instead of giving time back to their people.
Randy agreed that this is one of his biggest concerns. He explained that firms that continue to define themselves by time, tax returns, or compliance work may simply fill the extra capacity with more work. Firms that define themselves by the value they deliver may be better positioned to use AI for stronger client relationships, advisory work, and more sustainable practices.
Heather and Randy discussed what Heather called an identity crisis in the profession. As AI changes the work, some accounting professionals may struggle with the idea that their value is not only in the tasks they perform, but in who they are, how they solve problems and how they support clients.
Randy encouraged professionals to better understand where their skills and passions intersect. He shared a simple exercise firms can use to identify what team members love, what they dislike, what they are good at, and where work could be delegated, outsourced, automated, or eliminated.
Heather referenced Dare to Lead by Brené Brown and the idea that leaders should give people more of the work they are good at instead of focusing only on weaknesses. She and Randy also discussed vulnerability, empathy, vision, and curiosity as leadership qualities that are important in a profession that is changing rapidly.
Randy also shared a few books that have shaped his thinking, including Leading with Vulnerability by Jacob Morgan and From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks. The conversation then turned toward how curiosity, mentorship, and crystallized intelligence can shape the second half of a career.
Heather shared how she has leaned back into curiosity and what she calls spontaneous smiling as a way to reconnect with wonder and stay grounded. Randy also talked about his own renewed curiosity and how much he has been reading and learning over the past several years.
🎧 Listen to the full episode at woodard.com/podcast.
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This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.