1 min readSeeking What You Can Give, Not Take

by Susan Stutzel | March 10, 2025 | Business, Leadership

This past Saturday night, our family gathered for movie night, watching the new version of The Lion King. Naturally, we couldn’t resist revisiting the original afterwards. One quote, in particular, from the classic film has always resonated deeply with me: “Everything you see – exists together in a delicate balance. While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.”

This sentiment is clearly relevant for CPA firms. You thrive as a cohesive unit, working in harmony towards a common goal: delivering high-quality work on time and within budget. It takes every team member, collaborating and contributing at a high level, to make this possible.

It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind, focusing solely on meeting deadlines and pushing projects out the door. We often overlook the bigger picture and the elegance of our collaborative efforts. I urge you to take a moment, step back, and appreciate the intricate balance of how we all work together. This season, seek out opportunities to give to your team rather than simply taking the project from them.

Read Related Blogs:

When Everything Feels Urgent

As another deadline gets closer, there’s no shortage of things that feel urgent. A client needs something. A return needs review. A staff member has a question. Someone is behind. And suddenly, everything feels like it needs your attention right now. This is where...

read more

Capacity Is a Leadership Skill

As another tax deadline approaches, capacity is an overarching theme in my coaching calls, and probably a familiar conversation in your firm. I’m hearing We just need more people, and We need better technology, or We just need to get through this deadline. Sometimes,...

read more

Sometimes the Best Development Happens in the Moment

I was coaching a firm Partner recently about one of her managers. She’s smart, technically strong, gets her work done, and the firm sees a lot of potential in her. But the Partner was frustrated because she wasn’t really stepping into leadership. My first question...

read more