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Six days of education. Twenty-two informative sessions. One comedian. One “Quarantini” session with FEI’s President and CEO Andrej Suskavcevic. One trivia game. Countless polling questions, virtual conversations, and relationships furthered. The 2020 virtual edition of FEI’s Financial Leadership Summit was a first of its kind.
Our final day together saw Conference Chair, Frank Cesario, pass the virtual baton to next year’s Chair, Adam Miller. Whether in-person in Arizona and/or virtually, we’ll be back together in May 2021 for the next Summit.
Rohit Amberker, Director, Finance Operations with Microsoft, kicked off day six discussing business model disruption. He reminded us that technology often acts as a force multiplier. Before we apply digital solutions to our finance transformations, it’s best to ensure our processes are first simplified and standardized. Amberker suggested we move our teams away from being reactive problem solvers and instead become proactive problem finders. I enjoyed his comments about the efficiency in decentralizing your transformations as the people closest to the problem are best suited to find and rapidly solve issues.
Our final session was led by Heather Cole, Executive Coach and Business Analytics Advisor with Lodestar Solutions, Inc. Her energy is contagious. Cole shared a multitude of ways we can find commonality with our c-suite colleagues. She suggested we engage in listening more, asking more how, what, and why questions, and allowing others to feel respected and to know their opinion matters. Your organization’s goals are certainly relevant, but your and your colleagues’ commitment to the right daily habits are the true predictor of engagement, productivity, and success.
Author Robert Jordan is quoted to say, “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
The winds of change are upon us, friends. Be flexible, adaptable, and resilient in the coming months. Focus less on how something is accomplished and more on why you’re doing it. If you do this, your vision for 2020 and beyond just may become reality.
For recaps of days one through five:
The Best Antidote to Stress
How Culture Impacts Revenue
The Future of Finance is Bright
Diversify the Ways You Communicate Leaders Need A Strong Vision in The Face of Uncertainty
For the last three years, Michael S. Seaver has served as emcee of the Financial Leadership Summit. For more on his work as speaker, leadership consultant, and executive coach, visit michaelsseaver.com.