Whenever we talk about the career growth aspects of a Fractional CFO, we discuss everything from expertise on finance to great analytical skills and many more other abilities and requisites. But don’t you think that we often ignore to mention one of the most essential aspects of this career? Well, we are talking about the good communication skills. Let us tell you that as a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO), mastering the art of communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a superpower that propels you toward growth and success.
- Bridge, Not Gap
Please don’t consider communication as just a world of fancy words and complex ideas! In reality, it is about building bridges. A good Fractional CFO understands the importance of connecting with people. Whether it is about communicating with expert fellow financial maestros or those who are less knowledgeable or less fluent in the language of finance, a sensible fractional CFO bridges the communication gap through effective clear communication skills.
- Add the Human Touch
As a fractional CFO, you must understand that though financial departments, businesses and people talk about financial matters and problems there is a common story behind every scene! Well, every business or person has some dream or a story. While participating in the financial discussion, an intelligent Fractional CFO expresses himself clearly and adds a human touch to financial discussions. This ensures that the discussion stays aligned with the main objectives while valuing the dreams hidden in those objectives.
- Clarity is Key
Good communication simply means clarity. If you have good communication as a fractional CFO, you will be able to express yourself clearly. Not just this, you would be able to explain things in a clear way to your clients. Remember, the person sitting on the other side of the table is not a financial wizard and therefore, you need to break down complex financial statements and matters into simplified terms. You can understand this better through an example. Just imagine that you have to choose between a foggy road and a clear path. What will you choose? Obviously, you would go for the second option of a clear path. In other terms, a fractional CFO with clear and effective communication has definitely a much better chance of growth than the one who cannot communicate clearly.
- Improved Coordination
The field of finance is like a song! A song needs teamwork and cannot be prepared completely through solo effort. Similarly, finance is also not a solo performance. It requires teamwork. You have to coordinate with different people and discuss different aspects. Having good communication ensures that you can convey your thoughts clearly and also, every team member understands their role.
- Adapt and Evolve
An expert fractional CFO realises the importance of good communication skills. He knows and understands that audiences and situations keep on changing just like the financial landscape. Thus, he adapts himself and evolves according to the requirements. Again, the ability to adapt and evolve in communication happens only when you have good basic communication skills.
On a Concluding Note:
We would like to mention that communication is the skill that helps you express your knowledge, your expertise and your other skills as a Fractional CFO. If you want to suggest anything or discuss on any topic, you first need to improve your communication skills. If you will keep improving your communication, you will see the magical growth in your career as a Fractional CFO.
Author Bio
Aleksey Krylov, accomplished CFO in life sciences and medical tech, excels in fundraising and M&A, leading 70+ successful transactions. An MBA holder from Columbia Business School and a BSBA graduate from Babson College, Aleksey’s financial insight, deal-making skills, and operational leadership prove invaluable, propelling organizations to transformative growth in life sciences, agriculture and medical technology.v
