Charles (Chuck) Mullen

What does “leadership” mean to you? Leadership to me is about moving the organization and its people forward every single day, no matter the circumstances, and doing it ethically, and being flexible and open-minded in approach. Ever forward.

What does it mean for you to be part of the OC leadership team, and how do you all work together? We have fun, we despise consensus, we welcome debate, and we make our decisions promptly.

What is the most rewarding part of being a leader? Seeing an employee, or a client, realize a dream or major life goal, because of our organization.

How do you practice leadership in your daily life? I keep my mind open to just about everything, and I cherish dissension. The solution route to most problems doesn’t look like a straight line, but rather, a prism.

How do you refine your leadership skills?
Simple: listen to and respect everyone’s opinion who are willing to share it with me honestly. It keeps me grounded and aware of ‘what’s really going on.’

What has been the hardest lesson as a leader?
What worked yesterday, or today, probably will not work tomorrow. Solutions have short shelf lives, so keep innovating.

Who do you admire as a leader and why?
Steve Jobs, for simply being himself, at a time in history when it was not fashionable to do that in corporate America.

In your opinion, why is our firm’s leadership team different than other CPA firms?
Our firm’s leadership is entirely GenX, which means we’re just past that midpoint in our careers where we acknowledge what has worked historically, and we are completely open-minded to the opinions and ideas of those less experienced than us, because amazing ideas come from all ranks. We’re almost at the perfect “toggle-point” in our careers to see all sides and take prompt action accordingly.

What would you like prospective employees to know about your leadership style?
I care more about who you are than your current skillset.

What would you like business owners/clients/potential clients to know about your leadership style?
I will always find a solution, I will never come back empty-handed. Ever.

A fun fact about yourself for prospective employees and clients to know about you.
I square dance regularly.