This January, Daniel Shaw from DFK Benjamin King Money had the privilege of attending the Global Leadership Academy in Atlanta. This inaugural event brought together emerging leaders in the accounting industry to share insights, collaborate on challenges, and refine their leadership skills.
Reflecting on his experience, Daniel shared his top three takeaways from the Academy:
- Lead by Example – Effective leaders practice what they preach. They set the standard for their teams and inspire others to follow their example.
- Stay Ahead of Industry Trends – Successful leaders remain vigilant about market trends, anticipate potential disruptors, and position their firms to seize opportunities.
- Empathy is Key – As the accounting industry evolves with a more diverse and emotionally aware workforce, empathetic leadership will be a crucial skill for future success.
The Benefits of Attending the Academy
The Global Leadership Academy was an invaluable experience for Daniel, who highlighted the immense value of being surrounded by experienced facilitators and like-minded peers. The open discussions provided fresh perspectives on industry challenges, offering new strategies and approaches to common obstacles.
Additionally, the Academy enabled Daniel to create meaningful personal and professional relationships. These connections not only open doors for future collaborations within DFK, but also serve as a foundation for long-term friendships.
Additionally, the Academy enabled Daniel to create meaningful personal and professional relationships. These connections not only open doors for future collaborations within DFK, but also serve as a foundation for long-term friendships.
Advice for Future Leaders
Daniel’s advice for aspiring leaders is: don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—take the initiative and lead from the front. While success is never guaranteed, learning from failures is an essential part of growth.
He also emphasizes the importance of building a strong network of trusted colleagues. “It’s okay to ask for help,” Daniel advises. “Surround yourself with people you can rely on—those relationships will be invaluable when you need them most.”
Daniel looks forward to applying these insights to propel his career and drive continued success at DFK Benjamin King Money.
Daniel Shaw sits on the DFK Asia Pacific Emerging Leaders Sub Committee.
