The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

499: Steps to Becoming a Fractional C-Suite Executive with Sara Daw

Nov 11, 2024

Sara Daw, co-founder and CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, shares her expertise as an entrepreneur and future of work expert. She discusses vital strategies for breaking into the C-suite, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and networking. Daw recounts her own transition to a fractional CFO, detailing the balance of career ambitions and personal life. Listeners learn about effective marketing strategies for attracting clients and the necessity of adaptability in today's business landscape. The conversation is rich with insights into leadership development and the entrepreneurial journey.

44:35

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Episode guests

Sara Daw

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Choosing the right organization with career paths and mentorship opportunities is essential for advancing to the C-suite.

Transitioning to a fractional CFO role requires persistence, networking, and adaptability to succeed in a flexible work environment.

Deep dives

Paving Your Path to the C-Suite

To develop a successful C-suite career, being in the right organizational environment is crucial. It's important to choose a company that not only offers career paths and development opportunities but also has an internal culture that supports growth from within. Seeking a mentor—either from inside or outside of the organization—can significantly enhance one’s journey towards executive roles. A strategic entry point into the C-suite could involve positions such as chief of staff, which provide proximity to executive decision-making processes, facilitating a clearer understanding of effective leadership.

Intro

2min

Navigating the C-Suite Path

7min

Transitioning to Fractional CFO Roles

13min

Navigating the Fractional C-Suite Landscape

18min

Embracing the Journey: Transformational Insights on Business Ownership

2min

Exploring Resources for Strategy and Leadership Development

2min

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 499, an interview with the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service, Sara Daw. Her new book provides businesses with access to the complete range of functional, emotional, and collective intelligence at the C-suite level by moving their positions from the “pay-roll” to an “access-role.”

In this episode, Sara discussed strategies for advancing a career to the C-suite, including joining the right organization with clear career paths and development opportunities, and how to find a mentor and a sponsor within the organization to help open doors and realize career ambitions.

Sarah took us on her journey to becoming a fractional CFO and finding her first few clients, a motivational story of persistence and not giving up. Additionally, Sara shares her advice on marketing strategies, time management, and maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

Sara Daw is an entrepreneur, researcher, writer, speaker and future of work expert. Listed in the 2024 E2E Female 100, Sara is passionate about designing the future of work for C-level talent and organizations. As well as publishing the first research on the Access Economy for C-suite talent in her second book, Strategy and Leadership as Service, she is Co-Founder and Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, the global number one provider of part-time and fractional C-suite professionals. Sara is a graduate in Chemistry from Oxford University, a Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA from The London Business School, and a Mastère Spécialisé® in Consulting and Coaching for Change, run jointly by Oxford University (Saïd Business School) and HEC Business School in Paris.

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The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

499: Steps to Becoming a Fractional C-Suite Executive with Sara Daw

Episode guests