Paul BarnhurstFP&A Expert Empowering Finance Professionals to Excel Everday

Leadership is a role of trust.

17 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, the speaker argues that stewardship is the essential foundation of effective leadership, particularly for finance professionals such as CFOs. He emphasizes that leadership is defined by what has been entrusted to an individual, not by personal ownership, and that CFOs are accountable for vast resources they do not own. This responsibility elevates the role to one of trust, making it both ennobling and challenging. The speaker touches on the importance of character, outlines common challenges faced by finance leaders, and hints at key practices that can enhance stewardship effectiveness.

Chapters

Stewardship, leadership. I don't think that's controversial for stinking accountants. I am convinced that stewardship is the key for effectiveness in leadership. It's especially the case for finance people. Key aspects of leadership is things have been entrusted to me. I'm accountable to others for what's been entrusted, and fundamentally, it's not about me. CFOs, we don't own the assets on the balance sheet. We have responsibility for vast things that are not ours. And that's not to diminish it. That's actually to elevate the significance of the role. It's a significant role of trust. It's ennobling. It's exciting. I was having a conversation with somebody once and they said, it's scary because we have to do it well. Other people are relying on us. So I'm focusing on stewardship leadership. We talk about character. We talk about some of the key aspects of the role, areas that are challenges, and then some keys for effectiveness.