Monday, December 19th, 2022
Silent Partners
“Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat.”- Jean-Paul Sartre
Often, when attending or facilitating partner planning retreats, I have observed that many partners don’t actually speak up and say what is on their minds.
I believe that one of the most important responsibilities of CPA firm partners is to contribute verbally in partner meetings and retreats. When a conversation becomes confrontational, several partners avert eye contact and look at their laps!
In order to move your firm forward, you need to have robust conservations as a partner group. You need engagement among the group and everyone helping row the boat in the same direction.
That is why a recent tweet by Deb Mills-Scofield hit home with me (and it should with you!). Here’s her tweet:
“Nodding the head does not row the boat.” – Irish Proverb
- "There are always a lot of people so afraid of rocking the boat that they stop rowing. We can never get ahead that way."
