Calvin Harris Jr., CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, shares how running became an essential part of his life after moving to New York. He explains how the running community helped him connect with others and inspired him to challenge himself from 5Ks to completing multiple marathons. Calvin discusses the ways that running has made him a better leader, teaching him resilience and the importance of enduring through difficult times. He reflects on the significance of being authentic at work and encourages professionals to bring their best selves to their careers, including sharing interests like fitness or creative pursuits. Calvin also talks about his love for New York City pizza and reveals his early musical background playing the saxophone. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that embracing personal passions outside of work fuels success and well-being.
Episode Highlights
· Calvin got into running during COVID for health and sanity, and it has now become something that grounds him and makes him a better CEO.
· Calvin emphasizes the importance of bringing your best self, including hobbies, interests, and personality, into your professional life instead of separating “work” and “personal.”
· The ups and downs, pain and pride of long-distance running have taught him to keep pushing through difficult work times, knowing they don’t last forever.
· Calvin discusses how sharing things like his running, tattoos, or other interests actually builds connection, makes work more enjoyable, and helps attract people to the accounting profession.
· It’s important for organizations to make space for people to be multidimensional, which is not only more human but also crucial for attracting and retaining talent in fields like accounting.
Bridget Kaigler, CEO and founder of Bringing Leadership Back, joins the show to share how she discovered her passion for gardening and transforming outdoor spaces during the pandemic. She describes creating her backyard retreat as her own form of therapy, turning a previously untouched space into something “magazine ready.” Bridget opens up about how her gardening journey led her to help friends design their own outdoor sanctuaries and how the process became a source of creativity and balance in her life. She reflects on bringing her authentic, extroverted self to the accounting profession, embracing relationship-building and practical leadership. Bridget also highlights the importance of nurturing passions outside of work to stay energized and connected, encouraging others to “bloom where you are planted.” Through her story, she hopes to inspire others to bring their full selves -- interests, hobbies, and all -- into their professional lives.
Episode Highlights
· Bridget began creating her backyard oasis during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming a basic yard into a retreat-like, magazine-worthy space without spending much money.
· Gardening and yard beautification serve as a form of therapy and relaxation for Bridget. She finds joy in nurturing plants and creating something beautiful from scratch.
· The process of gardening -- design, creativity, patience, and nurturing -- mirrors skills and mindsets she brings to her professional life, especially in leadership and relationship-building.
· Bridget realized early in her CPA career that embracing her extroverted personality and authentic self led to stronger relationships, better teamwork, and more success than holding back to fit a narrow professional mold.
· She emphasizes the importance of having passions outside of work (your "And"), not only for personal fulfillment but also for sparking meaningful connections in the workplace and showing up as your whole self.