No more cookie-cutter leadership

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By Janet Berry-Johnson | for Net Gains

Jodi Krymuza, business coach, speaker and founder of Authentically Yours Development, isn't here for generic business advice, and neither are we. As a mentor to purpose-driven professionals, she helps business leaders and entrepreneurs trade burnout for alignment by leading with authenticity.

In a conversation with The Net Gains, Krymuza shares what it means to build a business rooted in your values, how solo practitioners can claim their role as leaders and why a "values & energy audit" might be the best tool you're not using.

You help business owners lead with authenticity. What does that look like in a profession like accounting, where people tend to “play it safe” or prioritize being technically correct over being human?

Authenticity isn’t about ditching professionalism; it’s about showing up as you. In accounting, it means bringing personality to your client experience, communicating in your own voice and working in a way that aligns with your energy and values. You can be both technically excellent and human, and clients will connect with that.

Many accountants and bookkeepers struggle to see themselves as leaders, especially if they’re solo practitioners. How can they step into that role confidently?

Leadership isn’t just about managing people; it’s about owning your vision, your process and your presence. Solo practitioners lead their client relationships, their boundaries and their brand. Confidence comes from claiming your role as a guide, making decisions with clarity and showing up intentionally.

What are some signs a professional is out of alignment in their business, and what can they do to course-correct?

If you’re dreading work, second-guessing everything or feeling drained 24/7, you’re likely out of alignment. Start by doing a quick values & energy audit. What feels good? What doesn’t? Then adjust, whether that’s refining offers, setting boundaries or saying no to that one soul-sucking client. Small shifts create major change.

You emphasize values-based growth. How can professionals use their core values to make decisions about which clients to serve, what services to offer or how to market themselves?

Your values are your filter. They help you choose clients who get you, offer services that feel aligned and market in a way that feels authentic. When you lead with your values—trust, collaboration, simplicity, whatever they are—you attract people who want to work your way, not the cookie-cutter way.

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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.