The responsibilities of CFOs are rapidly changing. According to a study by Ernst & Young, the new skills that CFOs must possess more than ever include listening and communication, according to Tom McGrath, Senior Vice Chair, Accounts for Americas, EY. In this study, E&Y conducted interviews to gain perspectives from CFOs. It was determined that today's CFO requires more breadth of experience and versatility than ever before and the next generation of CFOs must possess a vastly broader set of skills than its predecessor which include listening and communication.

Finance skills remain fundamental, but other key developmental areas for aspiring finance leaders now include experience in corporate development and strategic M&A, in international markets, and in the commercial side of the business.

This course was designed to specifically enhance communication skills in order to help CFOs and corporate finance leaders get CEOs and other stakeholders to listen and for CFOs to better understand the core concerns of their companies in order to provide optimum service. Communication and listening are actually highly empirical skills that have been studied again and again. According to the DNA of a CFO by Ernst and Young, 75% of CFOs desire a larger leadership role in their companies. So, why are CFOs often not given such opportunities? It is because CFOs often don’t understand the science of leadership communication. According to the Ken Blanchard group, nearly 100% of leaders fail significantly with the most important leadership qualities. The UCLA Career Center has determined that 90% of CFOs feel that their leaders do not completely understand their work.

This course unlocks the scientific principles of communication that enables CFOs to increase listening, enhance comprehension of their work and to create a more productive work environment.

 

Learning Objectives
  • Discover how to improve the communication skills of CFOs and related leaders in the areas of listening, problem solving, comprehension and creating business and financial plans in order to increase productivity.
  • Identify scientific principles to assist CFOs, CEOs and other stakeholders to evaluate the core concerns of their companies in order to develop action plans that enhance time management and profits.
  • Recognize how to employ tools to improve the way in which you articulate with CEO’s and Stakeholders in order to inspire action.
  • Identify effective phrases which can be used to increase your influence.
  • Recognize the differences between proactive communication versus reactive automatic behavior and communication.
  • Identify the different personality types as well as their distinct way of operating. This will clarify what type of person you are speaking to, and how to most effectively get them to listen to you with an open and focused mindset.
Last updated/reviewed: March 28, 2024
19 Reviews (72 ratings)

Reviews

4
Member's Profile
Very good information and approach! I did find it a little difficult to stay focused though so I'd suggest livening up the presentation in some way. I do like seeing the person as they are giving the presentation so maybe include the video?

4
Anonymous Author
This course contains helpful tips on dealing with the four different types of personality (DISC). Good analogy to the Simpsons Family. Answer to question 5 in the final exam is inconsistent with course materials.

2
Anonymous Author
Some excellent points. It was hard to follow along, and very vague - could use specific examples as there are a lot of communication issues in corporate settings right now.

4
Member's Profile
Liked the examples given to explain key points I also like the structure of the course, being able to do a topic and pause. My direct reports - Finance Managers

5
Anonymous Author
Very helpful it provide an inside to understanding proper communication style for the DISC of people and get the most of the interaction. key is active listening

4
Member's Profile
I liked the way of summarizing experience in dealing with people to words on slides. It will take me ages to explain this the instructor did.

4
Member's Profile
Very well expleined. Complex communication issues with simple languge that everybody can understand and apply to their life or situation.

5
Member's Profile
This includes some effective tools for improving communications and understanding others' communications styles and needs.

4
Anonymous Author
Good ideas for dealing with personality types. Could give more examples of how to improve non-verbal if so critical.

4
Member's Profile
Slides were a bit wordy, but content was good. Like the example of "phrases" to kick things off.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent Material. Drove home clearly how to relate with the different CEO personality types.

4
Member's Profile
A succinct review of communication within the context of leadership. Worth your time!

5
Anonymous Author
Good information. Very helpful. Worth the time it takes to listen and review.

5
Member's Profile
Look forward to utilizing what I have learned. Very helpful insight.

5
Member's Profile
Great information on this very difficult communication problem.

4
Member's Profile
There seemed to be a few typos throughout the slides

4
Member's Profile
Good reinforcement of soft skills

5
Member's Profile
Great course! Very informative.

4
Member's Profile
Some repetitive material

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Foundational

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Communication Skills
  Build Rapport6:19
  Your Password to The Golden Gate19:00
  Simple Phrases and Communication Intricacies13:45
  How to Run a Meeting like Batman10:57
CONCLUSION
  Reaction vs. Proaction and Helpful Information Sources6:09
Continuous Play
  How Communication Skills Help Finance Leaders Get CEOs and Other Stakeholders to Listen1:11:26
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: How Communication Skills Help Finance LeadersPDF
  How Communication Skills Help Finance Leaders Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW & TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam