In the ever-evolving landscape of business and management, the paradigm of leadership constantly seeks new horizons, with an emerging focus on leading with significance. At the heart of this approach lies the transformative idea that true leadership is not about amassing personal success, but rather about placing the well-being of others at the forefront. The call for leaders to prioritize serving their teams, fostering trust, and creating environments where every member feels valued and understood is louder than ever.



In this modern era, where disconnection and disengagement in the workplace are all too common, despite the allure of office perks, the significance of crafting a purpose-driven organizational culture cannot be overstated. Employees are not just seeking a paycheck; they desire to be part of a collective narrative, a mission that transcends the mundane and makes a lasting impact. Research suggests that a staggering majority would even forgo higher salaries for a sense of belonging, alignment with core values, and a resonant purpose.



This shift towards a culture that cares could not be more crucial as organizations grapple with the complex challenge of motivating and retaining top talent. But shifting from a profit-centric to a people-centric mindset requires a deep and intentional reimagining of leadership roles. Leaders are now challenged to adopt a nurturing approach, focusing on recognition, growth, and collective achievement rather than personal accolades.



The implications of such a leadership style are profound, impacting everything from team dynamics to overall business outcomes. It calls for a deep understanding of the human element in business, recognizing that fostering psychological safety and trust can elevate team performance to its peak. As the conversation on leadership continues to advance, embracing these ideals could very well be the cornerstone of thriving in an exponentially growing business landscape.

Meet Joey

Joey Havens has a 30+ year history of growing leaders and elevating others based on a personal purpose of helping people see and realize their full potential. He recently retired from HORNE, a top 25 CPA firm, after serving in several roles since joining them in 1984, including as the executive partner where he led more than 2,000 team members to build the Wise Firm, HORNE’s people-first culture.

Joey actively challenges the mainstays of business culture and strategic planning. He advocates for growing leaders faster using holistic approaches and intentional sponsorship. In addition to his weekly beBetter blog, he is the author of numerous white papers and articles, including “Becoming the Firm of the Future,” published by AICPA. He has coauthored four books during his career at HORNE, including his newest Leading with Significance: How to Create a Magnetic, People-First Culture.

Joey is an active member of CPA Practice Advisor’s Top 30 Thought Leaders, where he works with other accounting professionals to help lead and shape the industry. Joey is a frequent presenter/teacher/facilitator on creating a culture of belonging, strategic planning, and leadership development and loves to teach young professionals the “ABCs to Outstanding.”

Timestamped Overview

04:13 – Emphasizes importance of putting people first in leadership.10:24 – Challenges trusting new employees, questioning paycheck reward.11:11 – 80% would take pay cut for belonging.16:04 – Step 2: Define compelling vision and core values.19:10 – Trust-building feedback and culture determine results.22:11 – Exponential growth of the ever-changing world.25:09 – Vision: flexible, leadership trust, bias toward action.29:00 – Creating psychological safety requires trust, care, alignment.31:57 – Contribute, take risks, make mistakes, challenge, invest.34:19 – Great leaders prioritize serving and elevating others.

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