Header Logo
Home About Book Speaking Store Newsletter Podcasts Assessment Contact
← Back to all posts

Should Your CFO Be the Next CEO?

by Navid Nazemian
Mar 26, 2025
Connect

 

 

Leadership Mastery: Timeless Advice for C-Suite Executives

 

This weekly newsletter shares leadership insights, strategies and actionable steps for senior leaders and aspiring ones.
 
IMPORTANT: If you prefer not to receive future editions, you can easily opt out by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.
 
Thank you for being part of my journey, and I look forward to sharing my most valuable content with you!
 
 

-----------------------------------------------------

  • For coaches, I ran a webinar on the topic of Mastering Executive Transition Coaching yesterday. DM me if you're a coach and would like to get the webinar replay link.

  • I spoke and delivered an extended masterclass at the Global CEO Summit in Baku on #MasteringExecutiveTransitions last week. Summary and images posted here

 

   
-----------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 

Should Your CFO Be the Next 🚀 hashtag#CEO? 

The role of the CFO is evolving rapidly. As organizations navigate complex financial landscapes & strategic challenges, one of the questions that arises, is whether the CFO is the right next CEO. Russell Reynolds Associates have recently published a paper on this. As always, I've done the reading & summarizing of the top insights for you below:

1. Strategic Vision & Financial Acumen - CFOs bring a unique blend of strategic vision & financial expertise to the table. Their deep understanding of financial metrics & ability to drive cost efficiencies make them well-suited to lead organizations towards sustainable growth. By leveraging their financial acumen, CFOs can make informed decisions that align with long-term business goals

2. Navigating Uncertainty - The past few years have underscored the importance of resilience & adaptability. CFOs, accustomed to managing financial risks & uncertainties, are well-equipped to steer companies through turbulent times. Their experience in crisis management & scenario planning positions them as strong candidates for the CEO role

3. Driving Transformation - CFOs are often at the forefront of digital transformation initiatives. Their involvement in implementing new technologies & optimizing processes can drive significant organizational change. As CEOs, they can champion innovation & ensure that their companies remain competitive in an ever-evolving market

4. Building Stakeholder Trust - Trust is a cornerstone of effective leadership. CFOs, with their focus on transparency & accountability, are adept at building trust with stakeholders. This ability to foster strong relationships with investors, employees, & customers is crucial for any CEO

5. Leadership & Collaboration - Successful CEOs must inspire & lead diverse teams. CFOs, who regularly collaborate with various departments, understand the importance of cross-functional teamwork. Their ability to communicate effectively & align different parts of the organization is a key asset 

💡It's clear that CFOs possess many of the qualities needed to excel as CEOs. Their strategic mindset, financial expertise, & ability to navigate uncertainty make them strong contenders for the top job. In fact, when working for Vodafone, the majority of our CEO appointments were former CFOs e.g.  Margherita Della Valle  Nick Read  Colman Deegan and many more...

Talking about 'qualities to succeed', A Senior VP of Finance who was asked to step up as hashtag#CFO described our coaching as:

📣 "Working with Navid was a unique & enlightening experience. As a Finance executive, I appreciated his use of data, but that was only part of his approach. It is holistic by considering all aspects of myself & the context. Navid's coaching & insights allowed me to maximize my leadership impact whilst minimizing my development areas. It was a privilege working with Navid; & I look forward to working with him again in the future."

hashtag#MasteringExecutiveTransitions
 
 

About Navid Nazemian

Ranked as the world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today for the 2nd year running, I use interventions that are designed to overcome obstacles quickly. Over the last 2 decades, I have helped hundreds of executives successfully eliminate unproductive thinking and solve their toughest, most complex challenges. In return, they have supported their organisations to build world-class cultures primed to create new markets, accelerate performance, increase productivity, and develop game-changing value propositions.
 
5 more ways to connect with me and my work:
 
  1. For more articles, tips, and insights, connect with me on LinkedIn
  2. Make sure you never miss an issue of my Newsletter by hitting the "Subscribe" button
  3. Ring the bell on my LinkedIn profile to be notified every time I share my top tips 
  4. Reach out to me directly at hello@masteringexecutivetransitions.com if you have a need for coaching, keynote speaking or would like to place a bulk book order for your organisation
  5. Buy my international best-selling book ‚Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide‘  
 
What's Next? Stay tuned for upcoming newsletter editions where I'll be sharing fresh and actionable insights about the world of leadership. 
 
I really would love for you to join this conversation!  Do let me know what you make of this newsletter edition.
 
Warm wishes,
 
Navid
 
 
 
 
3 Ways CHROs Are Transforming Business Leadership Today
    Leadership Mastery: Timeless Advice for C-Suite Executives       ---    Featured Events & Training For coaches, I will be running a webinar on the topic of Mastering Executive Transition Coaching. Sign up here if you're interested to attend one of the two webinars Last week, I was invited as a guest to The School of Hiring p...
4 Critical Leadership Lessons from Recent CEO Ousters
  Leadership Mastery: Timeless Advice for C-Suite Executives       ---    Featured Events & Training For coaches, I will be running a webinar on the topic of Mastering Executive Transition Coaching. Sign up here if you're interested to attend one of the two webinars Last week, I was invited as a guest to “Random & Famous Podcast...
2025 The year of Leadership Crisis?! What Every Executive Must Know Now
    Leadership Mastery: Timeless Advice for C-Suite Executives       ---    Featured Events & Training For coaches, I will be running a webinar on the topic of Mastering Executive Transition Coaching. Sign up here if you're interested to attend one of the two webinars Last week, I was invited as a guest to “The People Factor Pod...
Home About Book Speaking Store Newsletter Podcasts Assessment Contact
© 2025 Navid Nazemian

Stay Connected


Join my Newsletter to receive
Timeless Advice for C-Suite Executives