|
Can CFOs become CEOs?
Let's examine what would have to be true...
❓ Can CFOs lead
Some are likely better leaders than others but the great ones build great teams and lead them to greatness.
So yes, from a leadership perspective, CFOs should be able to step up.
❓ Can CFOs sell
CFOs are salespeople at the core.
They're not selling goods or products but insights.
Insights that fuel decision-making and drive value creation.
❓ Can CFOs do customer service
They do it every day.
They service the CEO.
They service the board.
They service other CXOs.
And they collect feedback to continuously improve.
❓ Can CFOs do human resources
In some companies, the HR team actually reports to the CFO.
HR teams like finance teams need to act as business partners.
While finance teams mostly have financial insights, HR teams have people insights.
So in some respects, it should be possible for CFOs to lead HR as well.
❓ Can CFOs run the operations of the company?
CFOs are masters of performance management so driving the execution of the strategy shouldn't be too far-fetched.
There will be specific business and process knowledge to be picked up but if on their way up the corporate ladder, they worked outside Finance for a while that should be doable too.
❓ Can CFOs do marketing?
This is likely the CFO's weakest spot as they're rarely good at branding themselves.
However, marketing is also about insight generation so at least CFOs will have part of it covered.
And let's be honest CFOs would be fully versed in everything upon becoming CEOs they would be kind of superhuman
---------------
Looking at this analysis and the below comparison of the link between the CEO and the CFO what do you think?
Can CFOs become CEOs?
#careers #cfo #finance #ceo
---------------
🧑💼 I'm a partner at Business Partnering Institute
🆘 Need immediate help in your finance team, call us!
🤝 We help increase the influence of your finance team
🔔 To see more of my content ring the bell on my profile
📻 Find our #FinanceMaster podcast on your podcast channel
|