CFO 4.0 - The Future of Finance 222. Confidence, Communication & the Modern CFO: A Conversation with Susana Serrano-Davey
Apr 15, 2025
Susana Serrano-Davey, a career mentor and leadership trainer known for her book 'Confidence is Overrated,' dives into the essential soft skills for modern CFOs. She highlights the often-misunderstood nature of confidence and the importance of self-compassion in leadership. The conversation covers managing stress during high-pressure situations and the necessity of active listening. Susana also introduces strategies for effective communication, urging leaders to embrace vulnerability and prioritize meaningful conversations.
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Misunderstood Confidence Experience
- Susana was told early in her career she needed more confidence, which surprised her as she thought she was already confident.
- This illustrates how confidence can be misunderstood and differ from our internal self-perception.
Spot Your Confidence Signals
- Observe your different internal personas and how they affect your confidence in situations.
- Listen to your language and how you speak about yourself to avoid unconscious self-undermining.
The Confidence Spectrum Insight
- Overconfidence can be as harmful as underconfidence because lack of humility blocks growth.
- No one feels fully confident all the time; accepting uncertainty is crucial for leaders.