We were on a call with a high-value prospect — more than a prospect, really. A potential partner who could send us dozens of clients.

My COO and I were excited.

At one point, I asked, “How are things with your controller?”

He laughed and said, “He’s a f***ing moron.”

The room went quiet.

Did we really just hear that?

When we wrapped up, I asked my COO what she thought.

“I can’t put our team in front of someone who talks that way about his own people,” she said. She was right.

If this is how he talks about his team, how will he talk about us?

It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

I’ve seen that play out again and again — in who we hire, in the relationships we build, and in the leaders I admire most.

If you want to build a meaningful career, your hard skills will only take you so far.

It’s your character — your tone, your humility, your actions when no one’s watching — that defines the kind of leader you’ll become.

Because people don’t remember what you said.

They remember how you acted.

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I’ve been fortunate to hire over a hundred employees and contractors throughout my career.

It’s taught me a system that’s nearly bulletproof for finding the right people — fast.

Here’s what most get wrong: we barely look at resumes.

Sure, we confirm they’ve got some experience, but what we really care about are the assignments we give them.

Each task gets a little harder, some even live, so we can see how they actually perform.

Because talk is cheap.

Anyone can sound great in an interview.

But watching someone work — that’s where the truth shows up.

The same lesson applies everywhere, even in our YouTube videos:

Show, don’t tell.

So the question is — how can you show your value in Finance and Accounting, not just talk about it?

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As you grow in your career, it’s rare to advance into leadership on technical skills alone.

You also need the soft skills — the ability to work with others, to cultivate a team, to lead.

Here are three ways your actions can set you apart as a leader:

1. Don’t talk down about others

I recently joined a gym with an amazing sense of community.

There’s one guy who’s super friendly… maybe too friendly. He often tells me things about other members that make me wonder if they’d be okay with him sharing.

Even worse, it makes me wonder what he says about me when I’m not around.

That’s the thing about your actions — people notice how you treat others and assume you’ll treat them the same way.

And few things destroy trust faster than speaking negatively behind someone’s back.

2. Work just as hard as your team

Ever had a manager who made you question if they could actually do your job? I have — and it made it hard to take them seriously.

Your team wants a role model, not a figurehead.

Someone who’s been in the trenches — and still is when the situation calls for it.

Nothing earns respect faster than shared effort.

3. Lead with integrity

This is the foundation.

We live in an AI-driven world where it’s harder than ever to tell what’s real.

That raises the bar for your authenticity.

If you say something → mean it.

If you claim something → back it up.

If you promise something → deliver.

Trust and reputation take years to build and minutes to lose.

Guard them with your actions.

In just two weeks, my wife and I will face our biggest test yet — welcoming our daughter into the world.

And from what I’ve heard… kids don’t just listen to what you say.

They mimic what they see.

That old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do,” isn’t a strategy we plan on using.

I plan on leading by example — showing what it means to work hard, treat others with respect, and be a man of integrity.

To be a beacon, one action at a time.

Of course… I’m sure parenting won’t be that simple 😂

But that’s my take — how about yours?

Have you seen someone lead by example? How did it impact you?

Or the opposite — someone who said the right things, but didn’t live them out?

Hit reply and share your story — I’d love to hear it.

Have a great weekend,

Till next time,
Josh