Stepping into the role of CFO in a start-up can be daunting, but building confidence is key to thriving in this position. Here are some strategies to help you establish yourself as a confident leader:

1. Understand the Business Inside Out

• Spend time getting to know every aspect of the business. The more you understand the business model, the products, and the challenges, the more confident you’ll feel when making decisions.
• Also spend time looking at the industry and it's competitors.  If you have changed industry, take a look here.

2. Develop Strong Leadership Skills

• Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behaviours you want to see in your team. Your confidence will inspire others to follow your lead.
• Clear Communication: Be transparent and consistent in your communication. A clear and confident tone helps build trust within your team and with other stakeholders.
• The first of the 5 step framework we teach is just on leadership skills.  Take a look at our Financial Leadership Fundamentals programme here.

3. Seek Mentorship

• Find a mentor who has walked the path before you. Learning from someone with experience can provide invaluable insights and boost your confidence in handling complex situations.

4. Focus on Continuous Learning

• Stay updated with the latest trends in finance and leadership. Whether it’s through formal education, online courses, or reading industry-related content, continuous learning helps build your expertise and confidence.

5. Own Your Decisions

• As a CFO, you will make tough decisions. Stand by your decisions with confidence, even if they’re challenging. Reflecting on your decisions and learning from them will reinforce your confidence over time.

6. Build Strong Relationships

• Develop strong relationships with other leaders in the company, including the CEO and department heads. A strong network within the company will give you the support you need to feel confident in your role.
• Business partnering is a big part of finance leadership.  You can learn more about that here.

7. Embrace Challenges

• Don’t shy away from challenges; embrace them as opportunities to grow. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you’ll build your confidence in handling the unexpected.

8. Regularly Reflect on Your Achievements

• Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in your role. Recognizing your successes can reinforce your confidence and help you see the value you bring to the company.

Building confidence as a new CFO is a gradual process.

By focusing on understanding the business, developing leadership skills, and embracing continuous learning, you’ll establish yourself as a confident and effective leader within your start-up.

If you want to make your finance career progress easier & faster, follow the steps via our Framework below:

1. Sign up to our next workshop.
2. Work with me in the Financial Leadership Foundations course  that includes monthly Q&A sessions where we can discuss all of your questions and how to apply your learnings to your current role. 
3. Download the Upgrade your Management accounts course to showcase your skills as a finance leader to the Founder, leadership team and the Board.