Very Demure, Very Mindful

As the dad of a high schooler, a middle schooler, and a couple of elementary students I get the opportunity to learn new pop culture phrases every single week. Skibidi Rizz means something totally different than Skibidi Ohio, I'll never make that mistake again when applying such an important adjective! Short form videos and platforms like TikTok take someone's creative expression into the mouths of society faster than ever, which can be fun but can also be a challenge. TikTok creator Jools Lebron has learned this ... and she is still struggling to get credit for "very demure, very mindful," which unlike mewing is pretty easy to understand.

I have found some of the best leaders to often be understated (demure), and naturally mindful of what others in their orbit may need. It's a wonderful phrase that describes quiet, consistent, and extremely effective people. Over the last few months I've had the chance to work with such a person.

Meet Medha Verma, an Architect of Joy

Being driven to achieve professional excellence does not always show up the same way, and contrary to images of Machiavellian corporate conquistadors -- there are other ways to achieve such a status. It would surprise many who work with Medha to know how hungry she is for professional success, not just to acquire more responsibility but because she has such a very high standard for her work, for her team, and for her company. Actually, her standard is even beyond that as she stays very active in the CPA (charter professional accountant) community in the GTA (greater Toronto area).

These are things I did not know about Medha until I started working with her directly, and had the good pleasure of having her as a thought partner, a financial architect, and a strategic sounding board. Her presence in meetings had never been that of a background participant, quite the contrary actually. But the level of drive that she had was, well ... demure. But it was that way for a variety of reasons, including her mindfulness of others who were in the room.

I came to learn that she is a voracious student of humanity, of leadership, and of financial excellence. Sadly I didn't have a lot to offer in the last part of her list, so instead I became more of the student and she took the role of teacher. And it was great, mutually beneficial as we both grew in our appreciation for the company and our financial partners, as well as the gearing of our business model. Solution oriented, results driven, and always putting people into the conversations as we worked to build together.

Finding the Better Pathway

Small companies have many player-coaches, in that you have to do much of the work that larger companies have entire teams to do. In the function of Finance, we still have the same accounting, treasury, and tax responsibilities as large companies. Reporting has to happen, accounts payable, accounts receivable, meetings with service providers ... it's all there. But what isn't there are distinct, subject matter experts who can do each of these full time. More generalists, more automation, and more sweat are required here.

What I've come to appreciate about Medha is that she's constantly looking for a better way to accomplish everything that needs to take place in her domain as our Controller. She has resource addition as the last option, likely because she knows the puts and takes of our cashflow better than anyone else. But also because it's her natural mindset, she wants efficiency and effectiveness and is creative in achieving these while still delivering what should take place.

She's always scanning for what's next in technology. She's always using her full Flashfood Learning Budget. She's always asking for feedback.

She is driven to be better, and drives those around her to be better.

Here are a few other things to know about Medha Verma, CPA, CA :

1. Her family is the source of her joy, and spending time with them is a priority that she intends to grow even more into as that family expands. Be it in North America or abroad, time with them is a fuel for her professional drive.
2. She defers credit to teammates instead of soaking it all up, especially when it is a group project. Regardless of her hours of work, intellectual contributions, or the origination of the ideas she is very, very fast to give credit to others.
3. The most frequent question over the couple of months I've been her direct leader was, "what other feedback can you give me." She genuinely wants to grow, values the perspective of others, and thoughtfully pivots her approach to creating impact when she has integrated the answer to her question.
4. She has created a strong network of supporters, both inside and outside of the company. These aren't just personal supporters, but supporters of the brand she is so passionately helping build at Flashfood. She's seen the impact, has a sense for how much potential there is, and wants everyone she engages with to have that same enthusiasm.

Following the Architect's Design

Each of us have the opportunity to be demure and mindful, as brash and inattentive leaders tend to lack authentic followers.

• Ask others for feedback on how you show up in group settings, and make the effort to listen and consider it before reacting to it. Feedback is a gift, regardless of it's packaging.
• Be passionate about excellence in your work product, whatever it may be. Don't just be good, be great. Don't leave work for others to do, complete it and be known for how strong you are in your field.
• Look for ways to be effective AND efficient by staying externally aware of your industry, your practice, and your customers' environment. Internally focused organizations tend to have less success than those that make space for new ideas and voices.
• Deflect positive attention to others whenever you have the opportunity, as sharing it creates so much goodwill and favor. You'll find it's a beautiful cycle that is creates its own momentum and continues.

Know someone like Medha? Give them your gratitude today, and never stop learning from them. The world needs more joy, and it can start with you.