I am so excited to join this great team at ConvergenceCoaching! And this includes not only my colleagues, but all of the great CPA and IT firms and professionals we are privileged to serve! As I make my start with ConvergenceCoaching, I can see how all of my learning and experience have prepared me for such a time as this.
Ten years ago, I was asked to lead a team to propose on the outsourcing of the Rockwell International tax reporting function. As we worked on the proposal, I kept thinking about how I would answer the question, “How many times have you done this before?” Of course, I had never done this exact type of work, but my confidence grew when I realized that I had been preparing for Rockwell through everything I had done up to that point. As it turned out, I did not get a chance to test that answer with the Rockwell folks, but perhaps they could see I was ready because they selected our team for a three year engagement.
Sarbanes-Oxley shut the door on our continuing with Rockwell for a fourth year and beyond, so I found myself looking for the next challenge. With restrictions on our ability to provide services to our attest clients, Deloitte decided to invest in my deployment as a full time “Lead Client Service Partner.” Here was the vision: “There are some great companies that we would like you to turn into clients, by treating them like clients. We have never done any work for these companies, we don’t know them and they don’t know us.” Realizing again that I had been preparing my whole life for this particular mission, I said, “You had me at hello!” And the “return” on that investment was not only new revenue streams from new clients, but also the greatest time of my life leading and serving clients with cross functional teams.
And you know what I really value? It’s being part of a team. My greatest joy is in winning as a team – not a personal moment of glory, but a true team victory. I believe that we are not created to be alone, and that nothing worthwhile can be accomplished alone. As we teach at ConvergenceCoaching, we are all leaders regardless of our role. True leaders serve their teams and that’s where my heart is – in servant leadership. We need each other and I need all of you!
I’m reminded of the story of Julius Caesar’s conquest of England, where to secure the commitment of his team, Caesar “burned the ships” – so there was only going forward and no going back. While not always a conscious choice, “burning the ships” has been part of my life experience and I’m thankful that as I have moved forward in my life and career, there was no “going back” option. I’ve learned to embrace the change that the future always brings, and while I can’t “go back,” I can draw confidence from my past experience and use it to shape the future.
Expectant hope. That’s what I have. Not a “roll the dice and see what happens” kind of hope, but an expectant hope. A hope that comes from knowing that I’m here for a purpose, and that all I have learned and done and experienced on my journey has prepared me to serve alongside you. My hope flows from a spirit of thankfulness to God, the One from whom all blessings flow. I’m especially thankful to now be a part of you.
Best regards,
Jack
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