Communication basics for CFOs
As their roles evolve, CFOs need to build communication skills
In the past, many healthcare executives could get by with functional skills in their area of expertise, but with the pace and scope of change in the industry today, top-notch communication skills are critical.
Nowhere is this more evident than with the CFO role, experts say. No longer just a finance manager, the CFO is now expected to be a strategic partner with the CEO, where strong communication skills are essential to make the relationship work.
Trouble is, many executives, CFOs included, may think they’re better communicators than they are, which leads to a big disconnect between they think others see them and the actual assessment of those around them, said Karen Marinella, an executive coach consultant with Bates Communications in Boston.
Such executives often stay in the dark until the problem is brought up in a performance review or shows up in an employee satisfaction survey, Marinella said, and then they are shocked to learn how they are perceived.
Executives can seek out the help of an executive coach, like Marinella, but there are things they can begin to do immediately to improve their communication skills and “executive presence,” said Terri Houchen and Christine Ricci, both of B.E. Smith Inc., an executive search firm in Lenexa, Kan. that specializes in the healthcare industry.
Be transparent when speaking, Houchen said. Be concise and specific about the topic at hand, and if speaking in front of an audience, be engaging, by, for example, telling stories.
“Be an active listener, and be genuine,” Houchen said. “It builds trust.”
Finally, seek out a mentor or trusted advisor within the organization, Ricci said. “Someone you can ask, ‘How am I doing?’ ‘How are my communication skills?’”
