2023-09-20-Gartner-The_CFO_s_Guide_to_Human_Leadership_15页_245kb

The CFO's Guide to Human Leadership

Introduction

Digital transformation requires a shift in leadership approaches. CFOs must develop human leadership skills to effectively guide teams and the enterprise, as traditional financial management is insufficient in the digital age. Lack of stakeholder buy-in, staff disengagement, and leadership support can derail digital initiatives. Current statistics show higher turnover, lower engagement, and limited progress in digital transformation goals.

What is Human Leadership?

Human leadership combines authenticity, empathy, and adaptability. These traits are crucial for success in today's workplace, demanded by employees who require greater connection and understanding from their leaders.

Components

• Authentic: Act with purpose, enable true self-expression.
• Empathetic: Show genuine care, respect, and concern for employees' well-being.
• Adaptive: Enable flexibility and support unique team members' needs.

Human Leadership Drives Growth Through Digital Transformation

CFOs can achieve three critical actions to drive successful transformation by embodying human leadership:

Must-Do #1: Obtain Better Information About Business Performance

• Challenge: Incomplete transparency, inefficient funding models hinder progress.
• Solution: Cultivate stakeholder understanding, use product-focused funding, adapt metrics to capture digital value.

Must-Do #2: Enable Business Innovation and Risk Taking

• Challenge: Overemphasis on traditional finance processes stifles innovation.
• Solution: Build empathetic partnerships with technology leaders (like CIOs), encourage experimentation, and embrace failure as part of innovation.

Must-Do #3: Engage Your Team Amidst Disruption

• Challenge: AI impacts roles, talent shifts require new skills.
• Solution: Develop talent strategies aligned with digital goals, help digital talent integrate, empower teams with flexible career paths.

Summary

Human leadership—authenticity, empathy, and adaptability—is essential for CFOs navigating digital transformation. By focusing on transparency, stakeholder engagement, innovation enablement, and talent development, CFOs can significantly increase the odds of successful transformation and improve overall enterprise outcomes. Gartner provides recommendations and complementary research to support implementation.