CPA: The tool for inspirational leadership

When John Thorpe CPA, CMA graduated from university with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, accounting was the furthest thing from his mind. It wasn’t that he disliked working with numbers or had no interest in finance—it just wasn’t something he focused on. Fast forward a few years into working in the surety industry as an underwriter, however, and John realized he wanted to get the designation to help further his career goals.

“I was looking for ways to broaden my skillset, as well as find a way to differentiate myself from my peers and competitors,” says John. “There weren’t many people in my company or even across the surety world that had the CPA designation.” The designation helped John stand out, and today, more than 13 years after starting with Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company, he is the Regional Vice President, Prairies.

John Thorpe CPA, CMA

While being in a leadership role has always come naturally to John, whether that was in school or on sports teams, getting the designation helped him develop his technical and soft skills—for example, coaching and public speaking. It also made him a stronger insurance underwriter. “That gave my superiors confidence in my ability to take on more responsibility, and they trusted my decision making,” says John.

Becoming a leader is about more than just getting into a leadership position, however. To be a great leader, John recommends that you remain curious and approach situations with an open mind. He also believes the best leaders will take a genuine interest in their coworkers, understand what those coworkers do every day, and figure out how to best support them. And, of course, leaders need to be creative problem solvers who are interested in lifelong learning. “I think all those things make good leaders,” says John. “But I would say leading by listening, being curious, and focusing on the growth and development of your team are what make really good leaders.”

John also believes that leaders should constantly look for ways to make themselves better. “I think it’s all about continuous learning, finding areas where you think you’re maybe not as strong, and trying to improve on them,” he says. In the CPA profession, continuous learning is highly valued, and there’s no shortage of strong leaders who pursue professional development to be the best leaders they can be. And while you shouldn’t forget about your strengths, improving on your weaknesses will keep you from stagnating and make you a stronger, more well-rounded person.

“If you want to be a leader in your business, you can do that,” says John. “Taking initiative and showing your employer or your manager that you’re interested in being a leader goes a long way.”