GrowCFO Show #261 Why New CFOs Struggle and How Mentoring Fixes It, Jeremy Earnshaw, Executive Coach & Mentor, Clarendon
The transition to a CFO role is one of the most demanding steps in a finance leader’s career. Many newly appointed CFOs face overwhelming challenges, from building board relationships to reshaping organizational strategy, often leading to missteps and a sense of isolation. Recognizing these hurdles, this episode underscores the need for experienced guidance in the early days of CFO leadership.
Jeremy Earnshaw, Executive Coach & Mentor at Clarendon, brings decades of executive finance expertise to the discussion. Through a practical and insightful conversation, Jeremy and host Kevin Appleby explore how tailored mentoring equips new CFOs with tools, confidence, and the emotional intelligence necessary to succeed. Their dialogue highlights real-world stories, actionable tactics, and the transformational impact of mentorship on both performance and well-being in the CFO suite.
Key topics covered:
- Challenges and pitfalls commonly faced by new CFOs
- Importance of mentorship and coaching for new finance leaders
- Real-life scenarios where mentoring influenced CFO performance
- Key competencies new CFOs need, and how mentoring builds them
- The long-term benefits of investing in leadership development
Links
Timestamps
- 01:00 Introduction and importance of mentoring for CFOs
- 07:30 Top struggles for newly appointed CFOs
- 15:00 Jeremy Earnshaw’s mentoring philosophy and approach
- 24:10 Success stories: CFO transformations through mentoring
- 32:00 Actionable advice for organizations and aspiring CFOs
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