Part of being a great leader is looking at your finance team and helping them acquire specific skills that they need to be effective.
You want your team to deliver on expectations, feel valued and not be afraid to identify areas for improvement. Might we humbly suggest 3 skills to nurture that will help your team excel.
Communication
The successful foundation of any team or inter-departmental interaction is the way they communicate with each other. As Tony Robbins says, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” Give a member of your team ownership of a specific function and then have them present their data and conclusions to other departments. Be available in a mentorship capacity and help them understand that communicating in a relevant way with their nonfinancial peers is a critical part of being effective.
Leadership
Consider giving members of your finance team the lead role on special projects. This will keep them engaged, help retention, and develop key people as the “go to” individuals for certain parts of the job. Again, serve as a mentor, answer questions and help troubleshoot as the need arises.
Proactive Thinking
Encourage and nurture proactive thinking. Strong proactive thinkers are a true asset to any team. They identify potential areas of concern, offer possible solutions and nip problems in the bud before they cost the company time and money. Proactive thinking adds value to an organization.
Building a great finance team means identifying how your individual team members wish to develop professionally. Perhaps some want to build their leadership skill set, while others are interested in growing their communication skill toolbox. Regardless, a finance team that is proactive in its thought processes, inclusive in its communication style and willing to take the lead when it matters, is a team that is an asset to any organization.
