beBetter 

A few weeks ago on a full flight from Dallas, TX, to Jackson, MS, it was so hot, I began to sweat. You’ve probably felt that stuffy, hot and uncomfortable feeling where you realize you are not going to be cool anytime soon. Yet it turned out this uncomfortable feeling was the least of my problems.

Church service has just ended and I see our good friend, Andre, making his way out of the church. “Andre, can we give you a ride home today?” “Sure, Joey!” Today, we also have our next-door neighbor and family friend Jan attending church with us. Jan doesn’t know Andre, who is blind, and Jan is talkative so I’m thinking it should be an interesting and fun ride home.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of speaking to The University of Southern Mississippi Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honorary. What an impressive group of students. We had a tremendous turnout, but what really left me glowing was the work of my HORNE team.

Several HORNE team members attended, and watching this group of young professionals network, smile and represent our firm so well, all after a long work day, was just incredible. They were approachable and many of the students interacted with them.  They networked with the accounting professors, and I even think they listened some to my presentation, or at least they were kind enough to pretend. 

I talk to my team at HORNE about becoming the “Wise Firm,” a firm of abundance, focused on accomplishing smart, sustainable growth. We talk about having the uncommon discipline to become knowledge leaders, engaging our clients face-to-face, and delivering services that leave their businesses better than we found them. Leaders need a plan to go from good to great.  

Leaders also need to create a sense of urgency to take daily action to make our journey from good to great a reality. Leaders have to do things daily that the masses do not or will not do.