In this episode of The Steward Chair, host Jeff Bond sits down with Jackie Cardello, President of GRF CPAs & Advisors, to discuss how values, independence, and community impact drive sustainable success. Jackie shares how her background in English, philosophy, and psychology fuels human-centered leadership in a technical industry.

We explore GRF's courageous pivot from an "eat what you kill" compensation model to a goals-based system that rewards collective stewardship and leadership behaviors. Jackie also shares the strategic advantages of remaining fiercely independent and managing difficult partner conversations with vulnerability.

Key Takeaways
The Humanities Edge: A background in philosophy and psychology builds the empathy and communication skills required to lead people and navigate tough organizational shifts.
Incentivizing Stewardship: Swapping out individual profit models for goals-based compensation allows a firm to intentionally reward mentorship and collaboration over short-term revenue.
Independence as a Magnet: Staying independent preserves a firm's core values, allowing for client-first decision-making and an authentic culture that naturally attracts and retains top talent.

Resources Mentioned
Visit https://www.grfcpa.com/ Follow Shane on LinkedIn at 
Follow GRF CPAs & Advisors (GRF) on social media at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grf-cpas-and-advisors
Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/grfcpas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grfcpas/
Follow Jackie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-cardello-grf/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/. 

In this episode of The Steward Chair, host Jeff Bond sits down with Jackie Cardello, President of GRF CPAs &amp; Advisors, to discuss how values, independence, and community impact drive sustainable success. Jackie shares how her background in English, philosophy, and psychology fuels human-centered leadership in a technical industry.
We explore GRF's courageous pivot from an "eat what you kill" compensation model to a goals-based system that rewards collective stewardship and leadership behaviors. Jackie also shares the strategic advantages of remaining fiercely independent and managing difficult partner conversations with vulnerability.
Key Takeaways
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The Humanities Edge: A background in philosophy and psychology builds the empathy and communication skills required to lead people and navigate tough organizational shifts.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Incentivizing Stewardship: Swapping out individual profit models for goals-based compensation allows a firm to intentionally reward mentorship and collaboration over short-term revenue.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Independence as a Magnet: Staying independent preserves a firm's core values, allowing for client-first decision-making and an authentic culture that naturally attracts and retains top talent.</li>
</ul>
Resources Mentioned
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Visit <a href="https://www.grfcpa.com/">https://www.grfcpa.com/</a> Follow Shane on LinkedIn at&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow GRF CPAs &amp; Advisors (GRF) on social media at:
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grf-cpas-and-advisors</li>
<li aria-level="2">Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/grfcpas</li>
<li aria-level="2">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grfcpas/">https://www.instagram.com/grfcpas/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li aria-level="1">Follow Jackie on LinkedIn at: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-cardello-grf/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-cardello-grf/</a></li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:
Chat With Leaders Media <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/</a> and End of the Line Productions <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/</a>.&nbsp;

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores business leadership as stewardship – the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.

Through deep, candid conversations with CEOs, Presidents and Founders that have stood the test of time, we unpack the challenges, decisions, and strategies that define values-driven leadership. This is a space for leaders who recognize that success is about more than personal achievement – it’s about leaving a lasting, positive impact on their organizations and communities.

Each episode provides real-world insights on how to navigate key business decisions while maintaining ethical integrity, long-term sustainability, and a legacy-driven mindset.

This show is produced in collaboration between Chat With Leaders Media and End of the Line Productions. 

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores business leadership as stewardship &ndash; the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.
Through deep, candid conversations with CEOs, Presidents and Founders that have stood the test of time, we unpack the challenges, decisions, and strategies that define values-driven leadership. This is a space for leaders who recognize that success is about more than personal achievement &ndash; it&rsquo;s&nbsp;about leaving a lasting, positive impact on their organizations and communities.
Each episode provides real-world insights on how to navigate key business decisions while maintaining ethical integrity, long-term sustainability, and a legacy-driven mindset.
This show is produced in collaboration between <a href="https://chatwithleaders.com/">Chat With Leaders Media</a> and <a href="https://www.eotlproductions.com/">End of the Line Productions</a>.&nbsp;

The Steward Chair is a podcast that explores leadership as stewardship—the responsibility of guiding organizations, people, and industries with integrity, long-term thinking, and a commitment to doing good while doing well.

The Steward Chair

In a world defined by disconnection, human connection is your most powerful asset in building companies that last. At Chat With Leaders Media, we're dedicated to helping you unlock that power by delivering actionable insights from leaders who are leveraging business as a force for good.

Through our podcasts – The Steward Chair, The People Experience Pulse, and B The Change Georgia – we cut through the noise to bring you candid, real-world strategies for building a better business. We explore what it takes to elevate people, grow your business with integrity, and build a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.

This isn't just about inspiration; it's about giving you the tools to elevate your influence and make a tangible impact on your organization and the world.

In a world defined by disconnection, human connection is your most powerful asset in building companies that last. At Chat With Leaders Media, we're dedicated to helping you unlock that power by delivering actionable insights from leaders who are leveraging business as a force for good.
Through our podcasts &ndash; The Steward Chair, The People Experience Pulse, and B The Change Georgia &ndash; we cut through the noise to bring you candid, real-world strategies for building a better business. We explore what it takes to elevate people, grow your business with integrity, and build a legacy that goes beyond the bottom line.
This isn't just about inspiration; it's about giving you the tools to elevate your influence and make a tangible impact on your organization and the world.