In this episode of the Impactful Leadership Podcast, Christopher Callahan sits down with longtime friend, business leader, and man of faith, Jay Dotson. They explore what it means to be “over-accountable,” how vulnerability shapes leadership, and why the marketplace can be a powerful place for ministry.
Jay shares personal stories from his journey as a business owner, husband, and father — including how accountability safeguards dreams, how to lead with humility, and why culture matters as much as strategy. You’ll also hear practical advice on building a scalable finance function, hiring the right CFO, and running a business with Kingdom purpose.
Whether you’re a leader seeking to grow, a business owner navigating ambition and family, or someone passionate about aligning faith with work, this conversation will inspire and challenge you.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening banter & intro to Jay Dotson
01:00 – What “over-accountability” means and why it matters
03:00 – Accountability as a safeguard for your legacy and business
05:00 – The ripple effect of leadership on employees and families
06:00 – A lack of accountability is a dream killer
07:00 – Spousal accountability and discernment in marriage
10:00 – Inviting vs. imposing accountability in leadership
12:00 – The power of permission and trust in influence
15:00 – Leadership is not a right, it’s a permission
16:00 – How Jay invites accountability in business and life
19:00 – Identifying blind spots and delegating effectively
21:00 – The “Superman” trap for business owners
24:00 – Leading up: when your team holds you accountable
25:00 – Vulnerability, humility, and saying “I was wrong”
29:00 – Ambition with accountability vs. ambition without it
31:00 – Balancing business, ministry, and family life
33:00 – Morning routines, quiet time, and intentional growth
34:00 – Challenges of building community as a business owner with a young family
36:00 – Why it’s easier to do ministry in business than you think
39:00 – Creating a culture of generosity and unreasonable hospitality
41:00 – Seeing people the way God sees them in business
43:00 – Reframing business leadership as Kingdom impact
45:00 – Evangelism opportunities in the workplace
47:00 – Emotional support as part of leadership
48:00 – Why every business should hire a shepherd-hearted leader
50:00 – Introducing Prosper CFO: helping companies make more, lose less
53:00 – The four major problems in most finance functions
55:00 – The importance of the right leader and right playbook
57:00 – Building a scalable finance function for growth
58:00 – How to connect with Jay and Prosper CFO
59:00 – Closing thoughts & vision for Kingdom impact through business