In the field of accountancy, having the ability to bridge the gap between hard data and soft data is critical to the success of the career. Quantifiable is essential to producing reports, but is the soft data that gives the hard data a characteristic of action. Mark Gerzon speaks about bridging the gaps between human interactions and the different leadership perspectives. His focus is on building partnerships in organizations that have significant divides in order to be productive. The change in perspective needs to shift from the “me” view to a “we” view in order to succeed in building corporate alliances. “This is a key challenge for any association leader. If the members' differences outweigh their commonalities, the association is weak. Conversely, when the differences between them and us are included and bridged, a viable association is born” (Gerzon, Mark). Being a mediator, allows a leader to bridge these communication gaps resulting in new communications channels. As an accountant, one will require not only the skills to analyze, but also to communicate with other effectively and to do so, one needs to be able to cross train in technicality of accountancy and clear and effective communications.

How do you think language barriers can be overcome, when bridging communications not only across hard/ soft data, but also internationally?

Gerzon, Mark. “From Me to We: How Bridging Leadership Transforms Differences Into Opportunities”. Retrieved from http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=19286

Communities of practice can happen at any firm that supports a learning and growing working environment. These communities form at any level of employment, staring from the lower level of employees who wish to make their job duties a little easier, to a higher level of managers who share knowledge about an issue both have tackled. It is more