Five, FIVE, Things that Make Count von Count a Great Role Model for Accountants
Accountants: Let’s be more like the Count from Sesame Street.
Seriously.
Sesame Street covers some important professional skills that our professional training doesn’t usually cover.
Count von Count doesn’t just love numbers: he loves to share his joy with others. When we remember to use him as a role model, it will go a long way toward having the relationships, influence, and impact we want to have beyond the general ledger.
Smiling and Friendliness
Why do you suppose The Count always greets people warmly?
My best guess:
It’s an opportunity to share his love of numbers
It goes a long way towards beginning every interaction on the right foot.
Your smile and a warm greeting also let people know that:
You’re happy to see them
You’re happy they see you as a trusted resource for whatever challenge they face
You’re happy to help them.
Although we might take these things for granted, the person we’re interacting with probably doesn’t. They look to our body language for cues about:
Our friendliness in general
Our receptivity to them personally
Our willingness to help them, even (or perhaps especially) if their question might seem basic to us.
Don’t just take my word for it.
Take a moment to add up how much this habit will cost you.
Does your math add up the same as mine? Close to zero, right? So why not give it a try?
Positive Attitude
We have a tough job. All too often, it can feel like we’re in a room full of wild-eyed optimists who have excessive enthusiasm for the next “big idea.” It puts us in an uncomfortable position to deliver the message that what we’re hearing would bankrupt the nonprofit we serve. Saying this aloud definitely rarely make us popular.
So how about we try something completely different?
What if we start by recognizing whatever is good in the idea? It might take a little creativity, but we can almost always find something encouraging. What if we responded with something positive like:
“That sounds really exciting!”
“That could really help a bunch of kids [or dogs, trees, etc.]!”
“A summer skiing experience in Texas would be so much fun!”
Note: our response doesn’t have to be a commitment to bankrupt the organization in pursuit of the idea. It doesn’t mean that financial responsibility or common sense go out the window. We just don’t have to lead with them.
Sometimes those half-baked ideas can even reveal themselves to be diamonds in the rough. A little brainstorming and creativity can help reveal the hidden jewel within.
Even better news: it turns out that many half-baked ideas don’t need us to say anything negative at all. The truly rotten ones usually die a natural death without us personally driving a stake through its heart.
Pro tip: Don’t mention wooden stakes around The Count; he’s lost too many beloved family members that way.
Default = Talking About Numbers in a Way Everyone Can Understand
Have you ever met someone who loves numbers more than Count von Count?
I’m sure he writes love letters in Excel and recites pi to the last digit to fall asleep at night. Given his optimistic nature, he’s probably working on counting the exact number of stars in the universe too!
Yet, when he speaks to kids he shares his passion for numbers in a language they can understand, doesn’t he? His vocabulary and style of speech change, without condescending, so he can engage both their heads and their hearts!
We accountants can to do that too.
Yes, of course, when speaking to peers then it’s natural for us to talk about Desk Audits, VLOOKUP, and FASB 117 without slowing down to define them. Unfortunately, we often forget that these sorts of terms sound like a foreign language to non-accountants.
We need to translate our accounting concepts and information into language that everyone can understand.
When it comes to complex data sets, including financial reports, we need to translate those beyond just the numbers and choosing appropriate vocabulary.
Consider the fact that few of our non-accounting peers have an accounting background: 93% of American adults have math anxiety. So we need to thoughtfully transform those raw numbers into graphics that communicate the key concepts.
This is also about inclusion: involving more people at the decision-making table, especially those from historically marginalized communities. (Yes, while numbers themselves might be neutral, the way we present them absolutely has an impact.)
Plus, when you turn the key financial data into graphics, everyone wins:
More people can engage with the data
The organization will make better decisions
More people will understand that you’re more than a numbers wizard: you’re a friendly wizard with a heart.
Pro Tip: Sincerity
When The Count welcomes everyone to share his love of numbers, he does it with sincerity. That’s part of his charm and what gives him authority.
If you want the same results, make sure you come from a place of sincerity too.
And yes, I know your coworker Charlie would drive you a little bonkers even if they weren’t a close talker with halitosis …. However, that doesn’t have to be a barrier to channeling The Count’s magic when you have to interact with them. It may require some creativity, patience, and practice. The more you can do it, the more you, your coworkers, and your mission will reap the rewards.