CFO Weekly Top Skills and Strategies for Standing Out in Finance with Stephen Newland
Jan 2, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Stephen Newland, Director of FP&A at GrowthLab, shares insights from his diverse background in finance. He emphasizes the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise to stand out in the field. Stephen recounts lessons learned from early mistakes, like the significance of tailoring communication to different audiences. He also provides practical strategies for building trust with leadership and succeeding in high-pressure environments. Additionally, he discusses the emotional aspects of finance and the need for personal growth and well-being.
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Debt Payoff Sparked A Career Shift
- Stephen paid off $55,000 of student debt within four years after college by following a written plan he created in school.
- That financial milestone triggered a mid-20s career shift into nonprofit personal finance work to help others budget and pay down debt.
Turn Mistakes Into Systems
- When you make a mistake, write it down and create a system or checklist to prevent repeating it.
- Be intentional about your growth by fixing gaps immediately instead of waiting for leader feedback.
Be Reliable, Thorough, And Communicate
- Be reliably consistent: if you commit to work, deliver on time or proactively communicate delays with a plan.
- Couple reliability with thoroughness and clear, timely communication to reduce leadership's mental burden.
