Courageous Crossroads

Accountant in the Arena: Jeff Johannesen on Quiet Acts of Courage

Jeff Johnson

Send us a text

Jeff Johannesen is a retired CPA and former Chief Strategy Officer at RSM, where he spent over four decades transitioning from client service into high-level leadership, helping shape the firm's national and global direction. In this episode, Jeff shares his journey from a small-town Iowa farm to the boardrooms of a major professional services firm, reflecting on the decisions that demanded real courage—from walking away from a farming future during the 1980s crisis to stepping out of a secure leadership role to make space for others and take on new, uncharted challenges. With thoughtfulness, humility, and practical wisdom, Jeff unpacks his personal definition of courage, the risks he chose to take, and why learning to be “comfortable being uncomfortable” has been key to both his professional growth and personal integrity.

Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

Let's stay in touch:

See you in the next episode! Be blessed!

People on this episode