I’ve written, and had many conversations about, how authenticity in the accounting profession not only “sells” but also is a differentiator and a true key to growth for your business. It should also not be understated how powerful vulnerability can be in your professional lives as well.
Vulnerability, as it stands, is not wholly valuable, but it does open up possibilities for value to happen. After all, to be vulnerable is to be open…to success, to hurt, to growth, to failure, and to simply showing who you really are as a professional and a human. This, by the way, was the undercurrent of the recent Bridging the Gap conference, where accounting firm owners, decision makers, and vendors alike gathered for three days of sharing and learning in the hopes of professional and personal growth.
For those that experienced the event in person, you know of what I speak. Rarely, if ever, do you experience a live event in accounting or business in general whose sole purpose is to make personal connections in a professional environment for the betterment of your business and yourself. In order for this to be possible, there has to be some level of vulnerability.
Whether it is being able to talk openly about inclusion, setting client boundaries, overcoming personal burnout, or even why you are struggling in your practice, being comfortable enough to be in an environment that embraces and welcomes these discussions is not easily found. And while some may choose to keep these matters to the privacy of your home, a therapist’s office, or even locked inside, being vulnerable among your colleagues, however difficult, can lead to great things.
I am not saying that vulnerability is exclusive to conference situations, but it is often the first test for accountants who don’t go to many live events in the first place, let alone one that is fairly new (Bridging launched in summer 2023). And much like most decisions accountants tend to make when it comes to anything new, they rely on word-of-mouth and overall feedback. Once again, putting yourself out there and taking a chance on something new or maybe less proven is an act of vulnerability. This, dear readers, is the exact meaning behind this writing.
I’ve mentioned on many occasions that the accounting profession is at an inflection point, experiencing a true shift in the very act of being an accountant from how you work, bill for it, and overall services you offer. Leaning into this shift, finding what works for you, and being willing to fail in order to get better and grow is what it means to be vulnerable. In the end, this level of authenticity and openness is likely to set you on a successful path.
But don’t take my word for it. There are plenty in the network of accountants, some of whom regularly attend or speak at these events, that are reaping the benefits of their own vulnerability. Moreover, they will be among the first to share their experiences with you so that you know you are not alone on your path to running your practice or working with clients in new ways.
Change isn’t for everyone (thank you, Captain Obvious), but as Bridging the Gap’s fearless leader Randy Crabtree, CPA said during his opening keynote speech, where he shared his own experiences with burnout that nearly ended his life, “Real change is scary, not changing is even scarier.”