ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Discover practical strategies for managing different leadership styles in your business with Glenn Harper and Julie Smith.
Are you struggling to collaborate with a business partner, co-founder, or leadership team member whose style drastically differs from yours? In this episode, Glenn Harper and Julie Smith reveal how they’ve navigated—and leveraged—their drastically different decision-making approaches for long-term entrepreneurial success.
From explosive, quick-action responses to measured, methodical problem-solving, they break down the realities of working with opposites. Listeners will find actionable insights and plenty of practical analogies (including grenades, tanks, and sandboxes!) to guide their own leadership growth.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- The pros and cons of assertive vs. methodical decision-making styles 00:33
- Why understanding your partner’s conflict resolution style is key to business success 01:31
- How to pause, communicate, and choose the right approach for each situation 05:26
- Tips for listening actively and separating the problem from the people involved 07:03
- When to escalate—and when to soothe—conflicts for the best business outcomes
This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is it important to understand different leadership styles in entrepreneurship? - Understanding various leadership styles allows business partners and leaders to work together effectively, adapt to different situations, and make better decisions as a team 01:16.
- What are common challenges when partners have different decision-making styles? - Partners may struggle with disagreements, misunderstand communication, or take conflicting actions, which can cause tension or disrupt progress 00:33.
- How can entrepreneurs resolve conflicts arising from style differences? - By pausing before reacting, openly communicating intentions, and listening to each other’s perspectives, entrepreneurs can choose the most effective solution for each scenario 05:26.
- Is one leadership style better than another in business? - No single style is always right; both assertive and nurturing approaches have value, and circumstances dictate which is most effective 01:33.
- What practical steps can leaders take to improve collaboration with different styles? - Actively listen, separate the problem from the individual, discuss potential resolutions together, and be willing to try both approaches as appropriate 07:03.
Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.
Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.
Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success
Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.
Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.
Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year.
An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast.
Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.
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Brought to you by Harper & Company CPAs Plus
Running a business takes vision, grit… and the right financial partner. At Harper & Company CPAs Plus, we don’t just crunch numbers—we empower entrepreneurs. From proactive tax strategy and accounting to business advisory services, our team helps you keep more of what you earn and scale with confidence. Whether you’re launching, growing, or preparing for exit, Harper & Company is in your corner with expert guidance built for business owners like you. Visit www.harpercpaplus.com to book a complimentary discovery call today - or call us at 614-456-7222.
