Five key habits of financial executives who lead successfully
A successful financial executive goes beyond numbers. The right habits strengthen your role and drive the company. Which ones matter most?
Being a financial executive today is about much more than keeping track of numbers. To truly create value and contribute to the company’s success, you need to think strategically, build relationships, and embrace new technology.
But what habits set the most successful financial executives apart from the rest? Here are five key habits that will help you take your role to the next level.
1. Build trust through transparency
After financial crises and uncertain times, company leadership and the board turn to the financial executive for a clear picture of the company’s health. In an era where uncertainty can harm the company more than the numbers themselves, openness is a critical success factor. The best financial executives dare to be transparent – even when the numbers aren’t perfect.
It’s not just about reporting financial results but also putting them into context, managing expectations, and being a credible advisor. A financial executive who is clear about both opportunities and challenges builds trust and creates stability within the organization.
A financial executive who presents numbers clearly and transparently builds trust across the organization.
💡 Keep in mind: Balancing short-term financial goals with long-term growth strategies requires courage and integrity. Dare to be the one who highlights both strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Collaborate across the organization
The best financial executives understand that the finance department is not an isolated function—it is an integrated part of the entire business. Having strong numbers isn’t enough; you also need to understand how the company operates in practice.
Successful financial executives build strong relationships with the CEO, sales, HR, and product development to ensure that finance supports business objectives. By being a proactive business partner rather than a gatekeeper, the finance department becomes a driving force for development and innovation.
💡 Keep in mind: Foster a culture where finance is seen as a supportive partner rather than a bottleneck. Participate in more strategic meetings and gain a deeper understanding of the business beyond the numbers.
A financial executive who collaborates across the organization creates stronger business insights and better decisions.
3. See opportunities – not just risks
It’s easy to get stuck in a traditional role where the financial executive primarily focuses on minimizing risks and cutting costs. But the most successful financial executives have a different mindset—they see themselves as enablers of growth.
Simply saying no to investments may be a short-term solution, but a long-term success strategy involves weighing risks against opportunities. The best financial executives actively work to understand the business, identify profitable investments, and propose solutions that drive growth.
💡 Keep in mind: Challenge yourself not just to highlight risks but also to present solutions. When arguing for or against an investment, quantify both the risk and the potential.
4. Build a strong team
No financial executive can do it all alone. The best ones ensure they have a competent and self-sufficient team that can manage the details while they focus on strategy and business development.
Successful financial executives hire team members who not only have technical expertise but also strong analytical skills and business acumen. Having a finance team that can translate numbers into insights is an invaluable competitive advantage.
Moreover, a strong team is about more than just competence—it’s also about culture. The best financial executives create an environment where the finance department is seen as a strategic resource, not just a cost function.
💡 Keep in mind: Invest in skills development and build a culture where the finance team is engaged in the company’s success.
Strong teams drive success—build a finance team that turns numbers into insights and strategy into growth.
5. Embrace technology
Today’s financial executives must be tech-driven. AI, automation, and advanced data analytics can provide real-time insights and streamline financial management. The best financial executives see digitalization as an opportunity, not a threat.
One example is how modern financial systems can replace traditional Excel reports and manual processes. By investing in the right technology, financial executives can free up time for more strategic work and ensure that the company has a data-driven decision-making process.
💡 Keep in mind: Lead the digitalization of the finance function and ensure you have systems that provide real-time insights. Technology is an investment in the company’s future.
The financial executive’s role has never been more important
By being transparent, collaborating across the organization, identifying opportunities, building a strong team, and driving digitalization, you can not only strengthen your own position—you can also drive the company’s growth and future.
Discover more insights—read the guide here.
Want to learn more about how the right system can give you the insights you need to make better decisions and optimize financial management? Contact us here to find out how we can help you take your finance function to the next level.
