N2Growth Blog

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

Maybe you’re prepping for the IPO. There are warning signs you may be stuck in founder-mode and not making the turn to leadership. Maybe your CFO is a family friend. Leadership is uncomfortable sometimes. Leadership involves uncertainty. Leadership is messier that being the founder. You started a company.

Delegation 203

Delegation Maturity CEO Execution 203

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Take Jim, a front-runner CFO candidate for a leading medical device manufacturer on the verge of an IPO. Our CEO Genome research uncovered that stronger candidates for leadership positions are more effective at persuading others, including their peers.

Career 15

Career CFO Sample Execution 15

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 17, 2015

With a strong, competent, and independent chair able to step in and assume responsibility (and possibly act as interim CEO), a company in a crisis that destroys its leadership is better placed to navigate the storm. Hayward’s leadership had contributed to BP underplaying safety its U.S. Take the case of BP.

CFO 8

CFO Crisis Mass Marketing IPO 8

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 30, 2017

This occurs when the founder’s leadership skills hit a limit, inhibiting the ability of the company to go to the next stage. In February Kalanick wrote an internal memo indicating that he needed more leadership help, having reached the limits of his ability, hence this week’s announcement of a new CEO.

CEO 12

CEO IPO Energy COO 12

Harvard Business Review

JULY 17, 2017

From elevating its former CIO to CFO , as it increasingly defines itself as a technology company rather than a financial services firm, to emerging as one of the most high-profile advocates of cryptocurrencies , it’s clear that the company is thinking in longer time horizons than quarter to quarter or year to year.

Industry 12

Industry Short-term Planning Long-term 12

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 7, 2017

Employees and other constituents should expect HR to hold leaders accountable for fiduciary and strategic risks, just as a CFO would be expected to hold leaders accountable for a risky pattern of using corporate funds or resources. Are these acceptable growing pains? In one word: No. HR can and should demand more of leaders, and vice versa.

Compliance 11

Compliance Hedge Human Capital Finance 11

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 21, 2016

You used to be able to track everything with an Excel spreadsheet, personally designed by your CFO; now you’ve got an SAP installation in its place, supported by an entire IT department. That’s because overload is a surmountable crisis—under the right leadership. Sheehan quickly diagnosed what was ailing Norwegian.

Company 9

Company IPO Price Loyalty 9