BEYOND BEANS

Keys To Great Relationships

Great relationships take work to build and can be destroyed very quickly.  This is particularly true for CFOs who are focussed on numbers and results and are usually driven to performance. Its easy to get lost in the job and be seen as stand-offish.  You don't ever want this to happen. If you want to make an impact on your company, you have to build relationships with people throughout your company. Here are some keys to building and maintaining great relationships.

• Smile - Be friendly, happy and upbeat
• Don't criticize, condemn, or complain
• Avoid arguments
• Become genuinely interested in others
• Give encouragement
• Make others feel important
• Give honest and sincere appreciation
• Listen more, and actively / Talk less
• Cultivate relationships
• Be a diplomat
• Temper your ego
• Show loyalty
• Help others win
• Be trustworthy
• Never lie or exaggerate the truth
• Never, ever cheat
• Keep your word
• Never demand respect
• Be worthy of respect

To your adding, figuring, and analyzing -  add a little relating!

The Major Attributes of Leadership

Napoleon Hill, in his all-time bestselling success book Think and Grow Rich, outlined 11 Major Attributes of Leadership.  They are as follows:

1. UNWAVERING COURAGE.  Based on knowledge of self and of one's occupation. 
2. SELF-CONTROL. People who cannot control themselves can never control others.
3. A KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE. Without it you can't retain the respect of followers.
4. DEFINITENESS OF DECISIONS.Wavering shows lack of sureness.
5. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS. Can't be a "ship without a rudder".
6. THE HABIT OF DOING MORE THAN PAID FOR.  Must do more than followers.
7. A PLEASING PERSONALITY. Needed to gain respect of and access to followers.
8. SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING. Must understand and have genuine concern for followers.
9. MASTERY OF DETAIL. Must know what's going on at all levels.
10. WILLINGNESS TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY.Shifting responsibility is shifting leadership.
11. COOPERATION. Leadership calls for power and power calls for cooperation.

CFO Responsibilities Expanding

The new Financial Executives Research Foundation's Annual Financial Executive Compensation Survey shows dramatic changes in the responsibilities of CFOs, both private and public.  Areas where private CFOs are spending significant more time than ever before are Planning, Legal, Purchasing, Operations, Administration, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Investor Relations. Most notably is the increase in planning.  Over 60% of CFOs said they were responsible for planning this year compared to almost none in the previous two years.  Additionally, 20% said they were responsible for operations; a low percent but a huge increase from almost none in the previous two years.  Add the huge year-over-year differentials in legal, purchasing, and administration and you can see how obvious it is that CFOs are being asked to be more business people and less bean counter. 

This is great news for the CFO profession as the value we bring to the organization is being recognized more and more by business owners and boards of directors.  However, many CFOs need to adjust their thinking and get to work broadening their skill set in order to fill the demand for this business partner. Its time to get into the operations of the business, take on new projects, and begin reading different material. The career opportunity for operational CFOs is great! But not so good for the traditional accountant. Broaden yourself (and quick!).