In this episode of The Steward Chair, host Jeff Bond sits down with Jackie Cardello, President of GRF CPAs & Advisors, to discuss how values, independence, and community impact drive sustainable success. Jackie shares how her background in English, philosophy, and psychology fuels human-centered leadership in a technical industry.

We explore GRF's courageous pivot from an "eat what you kill" compensation model to a goals-based system that rewards collective stewardship and leadership behaviors. Jackie also shares the strategic advantages of remaining fiercely independent and managing difficult partner conversations with vulnerability.

Key Takeaways

• The Humanities Edge: A background in philosophy and psychology builds the empathy and communication skills required to lead people and navigate tough organizational shifts.
• Incentivizing Stewardship: Swapping out individual profit models for goals-based compensation allows a firm to intentionally reward mentorship and collaboration over short-term revenue.
• Independence as a Magnet: Staying independent preserves a firm's core values, allowing for client-first decision-making and an authentic culture that naturally attracts and retains top talent.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.grfcpa.com/ Follow Shane on LinkedIn at
• Follow GRF CPAs & Advisors (GRF) on social media at:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grf-cpas-and-advisors
  • Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/grfcpas
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grfcpas/
• Follow Jackie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-cardello-grf/

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