Cross-border Tax Talks

Careers in Tax: Tell me a story 

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Mitch Schuckman, who is retiring after 39 years at PwC and has held a range of leadership roles, most recently leading PwC’s Global Tax Pursuits. Mitch is also the author of “I’ll Tell You a Great Story” and is a certified professional coach. Doug and Mitch discuss the evolving nature of tax careers, from early technical work to client pursuits and leadership development. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling, the role of professional coaching, and the attributes of high-performing teams and individuals. Mitch shares insights on building trusted advisor relationships, the necessity of collecting diverse experiences, and the challenges and rewards of fostering strong team culture, especially in a post-pandemic, hybrid workplace. Mitch reflects on his career, the significance of mentorship, and his future plans in executive coaching and leadership development. 

• 00:00 – Introduction; Doug highlights Mitch’s career, roles, and purpose of the episode 
• 02:14 – Mitch’s ‘elevator pitch’ for a career in tax; tax as the lifeblood of economies 
• 03:20 – Mitch’s journey: From English literature degree to preparing tax returns 
• 05:30 – Early career: Tax technical roles, then moving into pursuits and leadership 
• 07:05 – The “people business” aspect of tax; moving into sales, coaching, and leadership; becoming a trusted advisor. 
• 09:46 – Why Mitch’s client called him the best Tax advisor. Problem-solving, teamwork and people skills over technical expertise 
• 12:40 – Business therapy: Mitch’s advocacy for professional coaching and his experience as a coach 
• 14:05 – Early coaching experiences: self-awareness tools and learning how to relate 
• 16:14 – High-performing teams: “players win games; teams win championships” 
• 18:40 – Impact of remote/hybrid work on team-building and learning; value of office interaction 
• 20:46 – High-performing professionals: Importance of authenticity and collecting experiences over the long-term to build a career 
• 24:18 – Flexibility of a tax career; applying experiences in various environments 
• 24:50 – The importance of storytelling in business relationships and career development 
• 25:11 – Mitch’s book: Why storytelling matters in professional and client contexts 
• 27:28 – How to tell compelling stories that resonate with clients and stakeholders 
• 29:40 – Mitch’s reflections: What did he enjoy the most and what will he miss the most? 
• 31:05 – Retirement plans: Launching an executive coaching and leadership group 

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