Lead with a Future Focus: Agility and Curiosity are Your Firm’s Greatest Assets
- Jim Boomer, Shareholder
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Technology, regulations and client expectations are changing fast, and accounting firm leaders can no longer rely on what worked in the past. Decades ago, technical expertise and tenure earned leadership roles and resulted in firm growth. Technical expertise and consistent execution are still crucial, but they’re not enough. The future belongs to leaders who can adapt, think differently and act decisively in uncertain times.
Leadership requires agility
Agility in leadership is about anticipating change and creating space for flexibility. In firms that lead with agility, leaders stay curious and open-minded. They ask questions like, “Why do we do things this way?”, “What if we tried something different?” and “What’s changing in our clients’ world that we need to prepare for?”
Curiosity is the foundation of adaptability. When you stop accepting “this is the way we’ve always done it,” you uncover opportunities to innovate processes, improve the client experience and create a culture that values continuous learning. Agility and curiosity now offer a competitive edge.
It starts with vision and strategy
It’s easy to get caught up in big conversations about artificial intelligence (AI), automation, advisory services and the talent pipeline. But before your firm can lead with agility, you need a solid foundation. That begins with your vision. Ask yourself where the firm is going and why.
Without a shared vision and strategy, even the most innovative ideas become scattered. Teams work hard but in different directions, and leadership alignment suffers. Strategic planning brings focus to the future. It gives every decision, from technology investments to hiring and client experience initiatives, a purpose.
Commit to strategic planning as an ongoing leadership discipline. Revisit your strategic plan regularly to challenge assumptions. Connect your strategic goals to measurable outcomes so agility doesn’t become chaos.
From control to curiosity
For leaders who’ve spent years building expertise and credibility, it can feel uncomfortable to lead in a less predictable environment. But thriving firms have leaders who cultivate curiosity, empower others and encourage experimentation.
Leading with a future focus means being willing to unlearn old habits. The mindset that got you here won’t necessarily get you where you want to go. Modern leadership requires a balance between structure and flexibility, accuracy and exploration.
Building agility into firm culture
Agility isn’t a one-person effort. Here’s how you can build momentum for a true cultural shift in your firm:
Empower decision-making at every level. Give team members permission to test ideas, learn and iterate without fear of failure.
Invest in digital fluency. Everyone, from partners to staff accountants and administrators, should understand how technology supports strategy.
Model curiosity. Ask open-ended questions in meetings. Celebrate people who challenge the status quo.
Align your systems with your strategy. Use data dashboards, performance metrics and process mapping to stay informed and nimble.
Create feedback loops. Learn from clients and your people. Agility depends on listening as much as leading.
Leading with agility doesn’t mean you chase every trend. Stay grounded in your firm’s purpose while being flexible in your approach. Make intentional choices that prepare your firm for what’s next and what’s now.
When you commit to curiosity, vision and adaptability, you build a more resilient firm that moves the profession forward.
Do you want to hone your leadership skills beyond technology?
The Boomer CIO Circle is a peer group for Chief Information Officers in the accounting profession. Together, they work on growing their skills in innovation, budgeting, finance, communication, project management, marketing, sales and human resources to grow into confident leaders in their firms. Apply now to start building valuable long-term relationships with other forward-thinking CIOs.
Jim Boomer is the CEO of Boomer Consulting, Inc., where he helps CPA firm leaders align strategy, technology, and talent to build high-performing, future-ready firms. A respected speaker and facilitator, Jim leads the Boomer Circle communities and speaks regularly at national conferences, including AICPA ENGAGE. Known for his calm presence and strategic mindset, he’s consistently recognized as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People and IPA’s Most Recommended Consultants.
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