Equip. Engage. Empower. E’s your way to an effective team

Richard Brewin • March 29, 2018

Q1:   How does a team perform without leadership, the right tools, an understanding of the plan and the confidence to use their skills and expertise?

Q2:   How does a firm succeed if it’s team isn’t performing?

The answer to both, of course, is the same… It doesn’t!

Obvious isn’t it, but often I meet accountants hoping for, or even expecting a different answer.  A firm needs its team to perform but frustration can lead to the blame for under-performing being put at their door before they’ve been given a fair opportunity to do so.

I regularly throw out a challenge at our group mastermind sessions:

“Give me an example of a perceived failing in your team and I will show you how it is your fault”

People do stupid things but the point I make is that failings can more often be traced back to failings in leadership, management, communication, systems and processes, recruitment, training, development, roles and responsibilities…and guess who is ultimately responsible for that lot?

Only once those aspects are running clearly can we then engage and empower the team. That is then three very clear steps:

  1. E quip them with the right tools
  2. E ngage them into your culture, vision and plan
  3. E mpower them to embrace their role

Team days are the vehicle for both launching and sustaining this more strategic, holistic approach. Not the adrenaline fuelled ‘stag do’ style favoured by some male driven corporates but a day where we get everyone together, treat them a bit special and begin the process of engagement that will evolve them into becoming a core component of your success rather than a perceived barrier to it.

We facilitate such days but only once the plan is clear, the culture is understood and the leadership performance is right.

Like I said, everything starts with you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing Is Successful Without Enthusiasm: Why It Matters More Than Ever in Accounting

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In a world where technology, standards, and client expectations are constantly changing, one thing remains timeless: enthusiasm . As accountants, we’re known for precision, professionalism, and integrity — but without enthusiasm, even the most talented team can fall short of its true potential. As the saying goes, “Nothing is successful without enthusiasm.” And in today’s accounting profession, that’s more relevant than ever.  Here’s why enthusiasm is the secret ingredient that fuels success — both individually and collectively.

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By Richard Brewin • October 24, 2025
We live in a world that feels more uncertain by the day. Small business owners are juggling rising costs, changing markets, and constant pressure to do more with less. For many, it’s not just about keeping the business afloat — it’s about holding onto a dream.  And in the middle of all this change, accountants have a quiet but powerful role to play.

Time to coach

By Richard Brewin • October 17, 2025
We’ve always been the steady hand, the voice of reason, the trusted advisor. Coaching simply helps us do that better — with more empathy, clarity, and connection. Explore the new Accountants Coaching Community, launching now in Australia and the UK.