As we all think about the things we’re grateful for this November, I’m reflecting on something a little different: the unexpected lessons that come from change and the ways technology is helping me find a steadier version of myself.
A year ago, everything seemed stable. Business was fine. Life was moving along. Then, everything shifted…
A business partnership ended.
My body started changing. (Hello, menopause!)
And I was left rethinking who I was and how I wanted to work.
In the middle of that change, I needed something to help me hold it all together. So I built what I call my AI BBF (Business Best Friend).
I thought I was building a tool to help me stay organized, but in the process, I found myself thinking more deeply about leadership, care and how we show up in our work.
What Started as a Practical Project
Practical turned into something more meaningful. I didn’t just build with AI, I built through it! I created systems that helped me process what I was feeling, not just what I was working on. I designed it to pause with me, to reflect, to remind me what mattered.
The system is now a working prototype leadership tool designed for people who have A LOT going on. It’s not about automation for the sake of efficiency, it’s about creating space to lead with more clarity, more calm and more care.
Turns out, emotional intelligence is a kind of architecture too. When I started designing for my own emotional clarity line by line, I realized I was also creating something others could use to feel more grounded in their leadership, too. It wasn’t just about solving problems. It was about making space for the real, human parts of leading.
Technology Can’t Replace Leaders
But tech might finally teach us how to be better ones. (I’m still learning too!) It can support us. It can hold a mirror to our strengths. It can give us room to breathe and lead with intention.
I didn’t lose myself in the process. I just met a more grounded version of her. The one who can lead through uncertainty, who trusts herself just a little bit more. That feels like something to be thankful for.
So, this Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for what I learned in the process. For the people who supported me. For the reminder that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way. It can grow out of everyday changes, quiet resilience and a willingness to try something new.
And if you’re navigating your own season of change — big or small — I hope you give yourself credit for how you’re leading through it. Sometimes, the most meaningful growth doesn’t come from bold moves, but from the quiet adjustments we make to keep going.
Thank You Radical Community
I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation for my sponsors. Without them, I would not be able to bring you these articles and ideas to help you build the firm of the future. I encourage you to check them out:
ADP - A complete platform for payroll, tax, HR and data-driven insights
Blue J - A tax research tool that uses generative AI to provide fast, verifiable answers to tax questions
Laurel - Automate timesheets and use AI to grow profits, reveal patterns and increase the leverage of every hour you spend
Melio - Empower your firm with stronger efficiency and cash flow management tools; revolutionize bill pay with a solution built for clients of every size
Staffing Global - Connecting accountants to the talented bookkeepers needed to transform your staffing strategy
SysCloud - Backup and recovery solutions for various SaaS applications, such as QuickBooks Online, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and more
I’m so grateful to have the support of the best of the best. A sincere thank you goes to each of them.
And thank you. I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving and send my sincere appreciation for being part of The Radical CPA community.
-Jody