Passing the Baton

“When I shared with some friends that I was planning to retire, many responded with a common refrain: “Harry, you have no hobbies, what are you going to do? Other than work, you don’t do anything else.”

Their concern wasn’t without merit. But there was a deeper rationale behind my decision. CKH Group is home to an incredibly talented team, many of whom we’ve spent years mentoring and developing. I began to feel that by remaining in the driver’s seat, I was inadvertently holding back their potential.

One friend, one of the few I have and therefore someone I truly listen to, offered me a powerful perspective: “Harry, I remember that when I was young, if my mother was in the room, I naturally deferred to her. In the same way, if you’re in the room during meetings, the true class acts will likely let you lead out of respect. So, your objective of stepping back and letting them take charge won’t be achieved.”

Of course, as anyone who has passed the baton can attest, there are always nagging doubts. Did I step aside too early? Will the firm suffer with me not being in the driver’s seat, but the backseat, a background advisor only involved when called upon? Even when you know the people you’ve trained are more than capable, even more talented, you still wrestle with those thoughts.

But my friend’s words had stuck with me.

The next person would only ever be able to run as fast as me if I still held on to the baton once I’d passed it. Eventually, after they’d met my momentum, I had to let go.

This month, however, I’m writing to you from Greece, in my ancestral village on the island of Limnos. Located in the northern Aegean Sea, Limnos is one of Greece’s quieter, lesser-known islands, celebrated for its unspoiled landscapes, welcoming villages, and strong agricultural roots. The island’s fertile volcanic soil makes it ideal for farming, and many of its residents still live close to the land, and this summer, I am no exception. For the first time in my life, I’m tending a garden, and it has been an absolute joy.

Here are my first photos:

 

I’ll admit, I still get a little anxious. I’m sure it will take me years to become even mediocre at this, but it’s full of challenges that remind me of business, and the results are surprisingly rewarding. The garden is completely pesticide-free and includes cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

The man teaching me, a 75-year-old deeply connected to the land, gave me this advice: “Harry, see the watermelons are getting ripe. We need to cover them with crates. If we don’t, the crows will come pick at them.” I was fascinated.

But what truly made my summer was a long-awaited recognition for CKH Group.

For years, I’ve aspired to get us onto a notable list of firms in Atlanta. Despite repeated attempts, we never quite made it. I think the way I led the firm made it difficult to scale in the traditional sense. But this week, something even more exciting happened. CKH Group was named to the INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA) Top 500, a national ranking of the largest public accounting firms in the United States based on net revenue.

CKH Group ranked 353 out of 500.

This is a tremendous milestone- not just top 500 by a small margin, but top 400 across the United States! Considering there are around 46,000+ CPA firms in the US, this was a huge win for the whole firm.

Congratulations to my protégés. This accomplishment is yours. Here’s to even bigger and better things ahead. I hope this recognition affirms that stepping aside and letting you take the wheel was the right choice.

I’ll always be beside you, offering my advice when needed, but watching you take the wheel has been as enjoyable as driving myself.” -Harry Catrakilis

The above article only intends to provide general information and reflection. It is not designed to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. It does not give personalized tax, financial, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any form of action, you should consult a financial professional who understands your particular situation. CKH Group will not be held liable for any harm/errors/claims arising from the blog. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents, we will not be held accountable for any changes that are beyond our control.