“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi One of the most common failings I run into with leaders is a lack of interest in self-development. Maybe that sounds surprising, but it’s true. I’ve lost track of how many leaders I’ve … Read more
“Innovation without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison One of the most commonly used words in any conversation around business these days is innovation. Everybody wants to be innovative, whether it’s in terms of products or services, delivery methods, leadership, whatever. The more creative ideas the better. The problem isn’t that a lot of businesses … Read more
“I’d rather be hated for what I am than loved for what I am not.” – Kurt Cobain We spend a lot of time as leaders trying to make other people happy. Our customers want something, so we try and give it to them. Our employees want something, so we try and give it to … Read more
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden I recently had the good fortune of spending time with a client of ours who’s been successful for many years. They’re great at what they do from a technical standpoint, they treat people well, … Read more
“We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know.” – W. H. Auden Pride can be a valuable thing. It can motivate us to achieve great things. It can keep us going when every other part of us wants to quit. But, of course, … Read more
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault We talk a lot in this space about focus, and the importance of keeping a clear picture in your mind of WHERE you want your business to be. And it is certainly very important. … Read more
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Theodore Roosevelt We talk a lot in this space about planning and vision and all those kinds of good things. It’s critical to think about WHERE you’re trying to go before you start working to get there. It’s important … Read more
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas.” – Steve Jobs One of the things I think is a big struggle for high performing people (which I’m sure you all are) … Read more
“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this – you haven’t.” – Thomas Edison Sometimes I think one of the biggest challenges facing leaders is the lack of new ideas. We get in our routine, we talk and listen to the same people, and so on. The longer we go in our careers, the greater … Read more
“The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” – Theodore Roosevelt There are a lot of leaders out there who spend time thinking about the future, about what they want their … Read more
Get to know our proven, forward-thinking accounting, planning and business consulting experts.
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614 & 5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2025 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
Sheldon:
1008 Third Avenue Sheldon, Iowa 51201 • (712) 324-4614
Sioux Falls:
5130 E. 57th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 • (605) 610-4611
© 2017 Cain Ellsworth & Company, LLP
