Soft skills

Topics

November 13, 2025

Want to stop work from consuming your life? First, learn self-awareness

A CPA and award-winning JofA author shares how shifting from a survival mindset to an intentional one can help to reclaim time, energy, and purpose — without sacrificing success. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.

October 30, 2025

3 types of difficult people — and how to work better with them

An executive coach and author explains the reasons co-workers can become difficult, what makes them challenging to work with, and how to understand them better. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.

September 11, 2025

Strong storytelling helps speakers deliver ‘medicine’ without the aftertaste

The keynote speaker at an October AICPA conference remembers the time he was “bamboozled” by a powerful story — and how that example carries over to the messages he delivers. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.

August 21, 2025

Loving your work, leaving work behind, and returning refreshed

A profession leader explains why it’s sometimes hard for her to unplug from work. She also breaks down the meaning she finds in the quote, “Your direction is more important than your speed.” Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.

June 10, 2025

Insights from ENGAGE: CPAs get a crash course in communication

From conducting an effective meeting to determining whether a team meeting is even the best format, a finance leader speaking at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25 helps CPAs streamline their daily interactions.

April 29, 2025

Overcoming ‘the creep’ that puts our dreams and goals on hold

Four years wiser and still checking off items on the ultimate bucket list, the AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25 keynote speaker returns to the Journal of Accountancy podcast with reminders to avoid “getting buried by the day-to-day.” Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.

April 10, 2025

The uncomfortable work of leadership

The keynote speaker at the AICPA & CIMA Employee Benefit Plans Conference in May shares lessons he’s learned in fighting substance addiction and how the behavior of addicts in recovery applies to making accounting leaders better.

March 27, 2025

Tips for driving change and driving out drama

An assessment of an employee’s value should go beyond a talent assessment and include a look at readiness for what’s next — minus that worker’s “drama quotient.” A consultant and speaker explains more in this podcast episode with Q&A.

June 8, 2023

The power skills needed to lead effectively — from the AICPA’s vice chair

A major firm leader explains why “leadership is about human connections” and why traits formerly known as soft skills are now must-haves instead of nice-to-haves. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Tax season quick guide

Get ready for tax season with the JofA’s annual filing season quick guide, an easy-to-use compilation of dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions. Download and print for quick reference this tax season.