Become a C-Suite Business Leader
CFOs do more than lead the finance team. As a board member, you are a key business leader — trusted to guide strategy, drive decisions, and challenge the board when needed.
Your role shapes how the whole business performs.
CFOs are responsible for enabling others to succeed, developing future leaders, and building a high-performance culture. This requires strong communication, collaboration, and influence at every level.
The diagram below shows the many responsibilities today’s CFO must lead across the business.
Great CFOs lead through both action and mindset.
Psychologist Richard Boston calls this the balance of doing and being.
The best leaders show up as:
- Authentic — True to themselves and their values
- Responsible — Accountable for their impact
- Courageous — Willing to challenge and lead change
But mindset alone isn’t enough. CFOs must also deliver on three core leadership disciplines:
1. Establish Direction
Lead with clarity — even in complexity and uncertainty.
2. Secure Commitment
Earn trust and navigate competing priorities across teams.
3. Build Capacity
Develop high-performing, resilient teams that grow with the business.
True leadership means upgrading not just your skills — but your mindset.
Without this, research shows 80% of first-time CFOs — and many experienced CFOs — face leadership gaps that hold them back or risk derailing their careers.
How CFOs Lead Across the Business
CFOs play a critical role in driving business success — not just managing finance.
Your leadership helps every part of the business perform better.
Here’s how:
- Align to strategy — Invest in the right areas and track performance.
- Champion initiatives — Lead projects and support others to deliver results.
- Enable people — Ensure teams have the resources they need.
- Create self-leaders — Build a culture of ownership and smart decision-making.
- Drive transformation — Focus the business on long-term success, not just short-term wins.
- Promote collaboration — Connect teams and share the bigger picture.
- Set the pace — Create clear targets, expectations, and track progress.
- Monitor performance — Use data to spot issues early and take action.
- Communicate progress — Share updates regularly with your CEO and teams.
- Deliver the plan — Keep the business financially strong while guiding teams to execute strategy.
CFOs lead by enabling people, driving performance, and ensuring the whole business stays on track.
Most importantly, strengthen the financial health of your business — and your people. Equip your team with the clarity, resources, and leadership they need to deliver on strategy and drive results. When finance leads well, the whole business performs better.
🚀 Ready to lead with confidence and turn strategy into action? Join the Future CFO Program preview event and learn the skills to lead at board level and beyond. Spaces are limited — register now.
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