We’ve all heard the old adage that "people don’t leave jobs, they leave managers."  What makes a truly great leader today? It’s not just intelligence, technical ability, or even strategic vision, though all are important. It’s emotional intelligence (EI). The ability to lead with empathy, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully, it’s the difference between a disengaged team and one that thrives.

We often talk about finding the right leaders for your business, but I've been thinking a lot lately about how we define "right". Are we sometimes too focused on fitting a perfect mould, a blueprint of what a “CFO” should be, based on industry expectations? You’re looking for a new COO. You naturally start by looking at COOs from within your sector. It's a logical step. They “get” your business, the regulations, the nuances. But what if you’re overlooking a hidden gem?

We all know great leaders. The ones who inspire, drive results, and generally make things happen. The thing is even the best leaders aren't perfect, despite how many management consultants say that they are. We've all got those "blind spots"... those areas where we just don't see ourselves as clearly as others do. It’s the flaws we can't see and these are the areas that can impact performance.

While many permanent CFOs excel at managing day-to-day finances, an Interim CFO often brings a broader strategic perspective.

Leaders find themselves grappling with the challenge of maintaining unity and focus on work when their teams are internally divided.