https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj4Io4us81k

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qgEZZxdGgOTL9SqbWsxIH

Stepping into the CFO seat concentrates pressure, confidentiality, and ambiguity—often without a true peer group. In this episode, GrowCFO Mentor Andrew Tapson joins host Kevin Appleby to unpack why first-time CFOs experience isolation and how to build the scaffolding that restores clarity and confidence. Tapson explains how the role’s breadth, the need to “translate” across functions, and the lack of consequence-free spaces to test thinking create a unique loneliness—one that mentoring, selective networks, and practical operating rhythms can directly solve.

Tapson blends four decades of finance leadership with a mentor’s mindset: create safe space, build a relevant network, and develop emotional intelligence to navigate complexity. He shares real-world practices to replace isolation with support—designing a personal advisory circle, investing in relationships that open doors, and delegating to protect strategic attention. The result is a pragmatic playbook for new CFOs to gain momentum, credibility, and durable resilience in their first 90–180 days.

Key topics covered:

Why new CFOs feel isolated: pressure, confidentiality, breadth of remit, and no safe sounding board
Mentoring vs. coaching: creating a consequence-free space to talk through mistakes and options
Build a selective, relevant network that opens doors and accelerates problem-solving
Emotional intelligence and “translating the room” as core CFO capabilities
Delegation and focus: moving from detail to enterprise-level decisions
First steps: set up advisory rhythms, stakeholder access, and early-win narratives

Links

Andrew Tapson on LinkedIn
Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

03:52 Mentoring vs. coaching; creating a safe space for new CFOs
06:37 From cost-cutting to growth levers; solving problems with lateral thinking
11:15 Designing a selective, useful network for support and access
23:12 Emotional intelligence and staying relevant amid rapid change
28:30 Delegation, scope shift, and protecting strategic attention
33:2 The future of CFO mentoring and structured support systems

Find out more about GrowCFO

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can subscribe to the GrowCFO Show with your favorite podcast app. The GrowCFO show is listed in the Apple podcast directory, Spotify and many others. Why not subscribe there today? That way, you never miss an episode.

GrowCFO is a great place to extend your professional network. Join GrowCFO as a free member today and participate in our regular networking events and webinars. Premium members can also access our extensive training center and CFO Digital Toolkit. You can enroll in our flagship Future CFO or Finance Leader programs here.

You can find out more and join today at growcfo.net

#340 - Biografie