Editor's Note: This is part 2 of a 2-part series based on Joe Woodard's keynote at Scaling New Heights 2025. Listen and read about Part 1 here.

In Part 2 of this special two-part episode, Joe Woodard continues his keynote address from the Practice Advancement Breakfast at Scaling New Heights 2025. Building on the foundation laid in Episode 130, Joe expands on what it means to live and lead with agency—through the lens of autonomy, aspiration, accountability, and authenticity.

What do you really, really want?

Joe shares a story about considering an RV purchase, only to realize through self-reflection and a question posed by leadership expert Andy Stanley that the desire wasn’t about the RV itself—it was about spending more time with his family. He challenges listeners to look beyond surface-level goals: “Behind every want, there is a truer want.”

Future-focused decision making

Quoting Stephen R. Covey, Joe stresses the importance of prioritizing long-term impact: “Sacrifice what you want now for what you want eventually.” He asks leaders and advisors to reflect on decisions their future selves will thank them for—decisions rooted in intention, not impulse.

From SWOT to SWOAR

Joe introduces “SWOAR,” a strategic hybrid of SWOT and SOAR analysis. It connects Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results—focusing strategic thinking around purpose, vision, and impact. He uses the QuickBooks Desktop-to-Online migration as a case study in transforming industry changes into competitive advantages.

Accountability as a lifestyle

Drawing from his own experiences working with a personal trainer, Joe illustrates that accountability is not a moment—it’s a mindset. “As soon as you stop having other people hold you accountable, you will slip past from the victory you’ve achieved,” he cautions. In practice management and in life, sustained support is essential for lasting growth.

Authenticity, values, and vision

In the episode’s closing section, Joe returns to the foundational question of identity. He shares his company’s core mission—“We enrich business through business advisors”—and the deeply personal “so that” behind it: helping small business owners reclaim time with their families, just as he once wished for his own parents.

This episode continues Joe’s call for intentional leadership, grounded vision, and personal transformation—equipping listeners to step into their agency with clarity and confidence.

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