Rob Brown on Why Likability Destroys Authority for Accountants and What to Do Instead - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 127

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Published on:

8th Jul 2025

What Accounting Leaders Say to Destroy Their Influence

In this episode, Rob Brown explains how accountants are sabotaging their authority by being too nice, too humble and too silent.

What makes someone respected in today’s accounting profession? Rob Brown explores five subtle behaviours that quietly destroy professional authority and credibility. From downplaying your presence to chasing approval, these hidden habits often go unnoticed. But they’re costing you influence, impact and opportunity.

This episode is a wake-up call for accounting leaders, managers and anyone trying to build presence in hybrid or high-pressure environments. Rob lays out the new rules of respect, and how to lead with clarity, calm and self-assurance—without losing your humanity.

Key Takeaways:

➜ Being composed is more powerful than being casual

➜ Likability is not the same as trust or respect

➜ Authority grows when you raise standards, not adapt to them

➜ Saying nothing when boundaries are crossed trains people to ignore you

➜ Minimising your presence for humility leads to being overlooked

➜ Calm, direct communication is the new executive superpower

➜ Your personal brand is built one boundary and one presence cue at a time

Killer Quotes:

"Respect doesn’t come from agreeing with everyone. It comes from standing for something."

"Calm people get listened to. Calm people get trusted."

"You train people how to treat you by what you tolerate."

"Humility is not the absence of confidence. It’s the presence of accuracy."

"Being liked is not a leadership strategy."

"Your standards should raise the room, not blend into it."

"If you don’t own your space, someone else will."


The Accounting Influencers Podcast (AIP) is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.


You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/UihPj5XUmAA?si=YSd5I3EmL0YA2Wb7

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. The show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

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If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting
You can also watch the show on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.