Behind the Balance Sheets: Inside the CFO Role w/ Rory Liebhart
In this episode, Emily sits down with her former CFO (and one of her all time favorite people), Rory Liebhart! They explore the multifaceted role of the Chief Financial Officer (CF) in today’s business landscape.
● Rory’s journey from selling t-shirts on a doc to a multi-time CFO, President and Director of PE-backed companies
● Collaborating with other executives to drive organizational success (while not avoiding productive tension)
● Navigating financial challenges including budgeting, forecasting, and managing cash flow
● Strategic decision making - balancing financial considerations with broader business objectives
● Adapting to change - how the CFO role has evolved over time
● Providing context and teaching - the importance of providing rationale for decisions
● Internal and external focus - a strong CFO operates both internally and externally (including engagement with investors board members)
01:05 Rory's Journey to Leadership
02:31 The Transition from Selling T-Shirts to CFO
04:55 The Role of a CFO
05:14 The Path to Becoming a CFO
08:45 The Importance of Teamwork in Leadership Roles
13:03 The Role of a CFO in a Business
16:19 The Importance of Complementarity in Leadership Roles
19:33 Interviewing for a CFO Role
23:08 The Importance of Trust and Open Conversations in a Team
25:01 Balancing the CFO Role: Being the 'Dr. No' and the Team Player
27:35 The Importance of Providing Context and Understanding Perspectives
30:48 Key Qualities of a Good CFO: Context, Understanding, Teaching, and Hiring
31:40 The Role of a CFO in Internal and External Communication
41:50 The CFO's Role in a Private Equity Backed Company
45:59 The Importance of Complementary Skill Sets in an Executive Team
48:27 Final Thoughts
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.