Michael in the Media: Michael Simpson on Executive Leaders Radio

Brinker Simpson & Company is glad to share that Managing Partner Michael Simpson was recently featured on Executive Leaders Radio, the nationally syndicated radio show and podcast that interviews CEOs and firm leaders about what it takes to succeed.

The conversation traced Michael's path from a busboy at 14 in Wildwood Crest to Managing Partner of a firm he joined as an intern and has helped grow from three people to more than 80 over 32 years. Host Herb Cohen drew out the philosophy behind how Michael leads today, and it went well beyond a career recap into what he actually believes about people, preparation, and building something that lasts.

A few moments stood out.

On learning that people are different

Michael grew up in Springfield with two older sisters and one younger, and he credits watching three very different personalities handle challenges and disagreements with teaching him something early: people see the same situation completely differently, and they have to be led differently. It is the skill he says allowed him to build relationships across a firm as it grew.

On trust over control

"We're only as strong as our weakest link. I trust my partners and staff day in and day out to do what they're responsible for. That's the only way the organization grows. I'm not a micromanager."

On preparation, from the football field to the firm

Michael played football at a high level, where being ready on day one was not optional. He drew a direct line from summer two-a-days to leadership: "You just can't show up." The mental toughness to handle the highs and lows of running a business, he says, is the same discipline he built preparing for a season before it began.

On failure as growth

"One of the first conversations I have with any new employee at Brinker Simpson is that failure isn't a big red F. Failure is growth. As long as we learn from it, we should not be afraid to fail."

On stepping up when the safety net was gone

Michael became a partner at 33, with two young children and his wife not working, as the sole source of income. "It taught me the safety net was gone. I had to step up and lead." He set the tone then the way he does now, through his own work ethic, believing the team takes its cues from what it sees at the top.

On what shaped him

Michael credits his discipline to his father, a Marine Corps captain who served in Vietnam, and his authenticity to his mother, who raised four children from humble South Philadelphia beginnings. Her advice has stuck with him: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

On the future of the firm

What makes Brinker Simpson unique, in Michael's view, is the young leadership coming up behind him. He points out that in an industry where many accountants are aging out, the firm's strength is its bench, not any one person. "They're bringing new ideas and new energy, and the sky's the limit for Brinker Simpson."

Listen to the full interview

Hear the complete conversation on Executive Leaders Radio here.