Build trust with a stewardship mindset

Eric R. Alexander, CPA, president of advisory service company Six Arrows Consulting, discusses the lessons he's learned throughout his career in finance and what being a finance leader means for him, and other insights from his upcoming book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO. He shares key strategies for developing as a stewardship leader, including how he holds himself accountable, how he views his role as a trusted adviser for organizations, and the steps he has taken to improve in the relational and people aspects of the finance function. "I've been most effective in my work when I've functioned as a steward, meaning I understood things had been entrusted to me to be responsible for," he said. "I was accountable to people, and fundamentally, it was not all about me." Editor's note: This episode was originally on the FM podcast. What you'll learn from this episode: Why Alexander says the CFO role is not about you as a finance leader. Key elements of stewardship leadership. How to hold yourself accountable as a finance professional. Why getting into the finer details can complicate decision-making. What it means to own your results. Tips for enhancing people and soft skills.