What You Missed (and Still Need to Act On) from Bridging the Gap 2025
If you’re a CEO or managing partner of an Accounting firm, and you didn’t make it to the Bridging the Gap Conference 2025 in Denver last week, let me catch you up—not just on what was said, but what matters now.
The theme was Expedition Innovation, and it lived up to the name. But the most valuable insights weren’t flashy trends—they were strategic reminders of what today’s firm leaders must do to stay relevant, retain talent, and lead with purpose.
Here are four key insights that stood out—and why they should matter to you:
1. You Can’t Automate Leadership
AI was everywhere on the agenda: from “What Did I Miss? AI Edition” to “The Tech-Enabled Playbook for Firm Growth.” These sessions weren’t just showing off tools—they were issuing a challenge.
The best firms aren’t chasing shiny objects. They’re automating low-value work so they can focus on what can’t be automated: relationships, vision, and decision-making. That’s where you come in.
As I tell my clients: technology is the assistant—you are still the advisor.
2. Culture Is the Competitive Edge
Sessions like “Proper Care + Feeding of Accountants” and “Safe to Fail” drilled home something I’ve said for years: culture eats strategy for breakfast—and tech for lunch.
This isn’t about beanbags and wellness apps. It’s about whether your people feel seen, heard, and valued. In today’s hybrid world, leadership has to be intentional. If your firm culture is accidental, you’re already behind.
Retention, productivity, morale—all rise and fall on the quality of leadership at the top.
3. Strategic Succession Starts Now (Even if You’re Not Leaving)
Justin Farmer’s session on selling your practice was packed—and for good reason. Whether you plan to sell, merge, or simply step back one day, your firm must be transition-ready.
That means you’ve got:
A strong bench of future leaders.
Clear systems that don’t depend on you.
A brand that stands for more than one name.
Succession isn’t an event—it’s a strategy. And the firms treating it that way are commanding the highest valuations and attracting top talent today.
4. Experimentation Is the New Stability
One of the most powerful ideas? “Safe to Fail” cultures are outperforming rigid ones.
Why? Because uncertainty is the new normal. And the leaders willing to test, learn, and adjust—instead of clinging to what’s “always worked”—are pulling ahead.
The firms that embrace learning and agility are the ones that stay resilient through disruption.
So, What Now?
Here’s the bottom line: What you do next matters more than what you missed last week.
If you're leading a firm and want help translating these insights into action—whether it’s developing your next-in-line leaders, building a resilient culture, or clarifying your strategic direction—I’m here to help.
Let’s start a conversation. No pressure. Just perspective.
CLICK HERE to schedule a strategy call.
Until Next Time!
