Independence and objectivity are two words I hear auditors use incorrectly all the time. Even though the standards describe internal audit as being independent and objective, the truth is very few internal audit functions are truly independent, but we have to remain objective. While we may not be able to control our independence (don’t worry …
Continue reading “E17: Giving Up Some Independence is OK, but Lack of Objectivity Will Kill You”
Stories are compelling, statistics are not. When it comes down to it, we all love a good story. We can even get spell-bound as we read a book, or watch a movie, but probably don’t realize you are living your own story. Since we are writing our own future, we have a lot of literary …
Continue reading “Fire & Earth Podcast: E30 The Stories We Tell Ourselves with James Hazlerig”
As we move forward in our career it’s easy to wake up one day and realize we haven’t really invested in ourselves in years. I know, cause I’ve been there too. We get so busy dealing with the day-to-day stresses on our job, trying to balance life-work commitments that we don’t take time to invest …
Continue reading “E16: Invest in Yourself or Nobody Else Will”
In our attempt to be seen as helpful sometimes we say yes too often, which leads to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Every yes is saying no to something else. Every no is saying yes to something else. Not sure whether to say yes or no? No worries. Here’s some easy ways to decide and move …
Continue reading “Fire & Earth Podcast: E29 You Must Choose … Yes or No … So Choose Wisely”
Auditors experience resistance from audit clients and others in the organization on a regular basis. Using the six principles of Influence helps build relationships, overcome objections, and help people take action. Incorporating these principles into your work and personal life will help you persuade without manipulation and avoid the extra stress caused by resistance. Jason …
Continue reading “E15: Avoiding Resistance by Using the Principles of Influence with Brian Ahearn”
OK, we’re NOT “actually” advocating people start smoking, but we learn some interesting lessons from the now old-fashioned idea of smoke breaks during the day. Taking regular breaks helps us avoid burnout. In fact, sitting chained to your desk all day is actually as or more unhealthy than smoking (ever heard sitting is the new …
Continue reading “Fire & Earth Podcast: E28 Take Smoke Breaks to Avoid Burnout”
Most people in internal audit focus a lot of time and energy on technical skills, ignoring soft-skills since those are just “touchy-feely” topics anyway that aren’t that important in internal audit. Think again. You will still get ignored no matter how technically competent you are. The key to being heard and moving to trusted advisor …
Are you at the top of your triangle doing your most important work, or wasting your time in the weeds? If you are like most people, you find yourself buried in the weeds during much of each week feeling unproductive. We are joined by Sara Caputo, a productivity expert, who shares her practical “Top Triangle” …
Yep, you read the title correctly. Performing an excellent audit, following all of the standards, and writing a great report won’t stop you from getting fired. In fact, sometimes that is what gets you fired. To understand what usually does get you fired, and how to avoid the land mines, take a listen to this …
Continue reading “E13: Doing a Good Job Won’t Stop You From Getting Fired”
Over the last 25 episodes of the Fire and Earth Podcast, we have talked to some amazing guests and learned a lot. In this episode we share some highlights from previous episodes and how we have changed ourselves, by incorporating what we’ve learned into our daily lives. #fireandearthpodcast
