ASK THE EXPERT - In a previous interview I was

Lessons in Leadership: What It Takes to Be a Future CFO

Last Thursday we had the pleasure of hosting an insightful and inspirational Future CFO-focused event, where we explored their experiences and journeys. All attendees had the privilege of hearing from three fantastic senior finance leaders - Nick Shaw, Kayleigh Wright and James Wenninger, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by their own career journeys — with the consensus across all speakers and focus of: driving meaningful, strategic value across their organisations. Each leader shared personal experiences of navigating challenges, leading transformation, and elevating the role of finance from a back-office function to a true business partner and value creator. Each speaker offered valuable perspectives, and several key takeaways stood out: Build a team that compliments you : Great leadership means recognising and embracing the skills you don’t have. All three CFOs emphasised the strength of surrounding themselves with good people and team members whose strengths contrast their own — creating well-rounded, agile finance functions. Embrace the unknown with confidence: Whether navigating new industries, acquisitions, or rapid change, one message was clear: lean into the uncertainty and trust your ability to adapt. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Blend experience from big & small companies : The synergy of experience from both large-scale corporations and nimble, fast-paced environments is invaluable. The ability to scale thinking and apply structured processes in leaner settings was a recurring theme. Identify and align with key business needs : Strategic finance leaders go beyond numbers. They seek out synergies and align with business-specific needs — from systems integration to cultural alignment — to ensure long-term value add. Own your decisions…fully! : True ownership means standing by your decisions and being accountable for their outcomes. Openly discussed and demonstrated how conviction and responsibility can elevate leadership and trust across the organisation with a wider impact! A huge thank you again to Nick Shaw, Kayleigh Wright & James Wenninger who were incredible speakers and all who contributed to making this event a success. It was a timely reminder of the evolving, multi-dimensional role of today’s Finance leaders. Huge thanks as well to all attendees for bringing openness in their points / questions , and energy to the room. Looking forward already to next year!To hear about future events, contact Jack Curtis!

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It probably seems a strange question to be asked; why would an interviewer want you to admit to something you are not very good at in order to get a job? However, this is a very common question that interviewers deploy for that very reason – the strongest candidates will be able to handle a tricky situation like this in their stride and it’s a great way for would-be employers to see how you deal with potentially uncomfortable scenarios.

Firstly, it is important to remember that whilst it can be a tricky question, the interviewer is not trying to catch you out! They want to understand if you have the ability to recognise areas that are not your strengths and can identify how you can improve your own performance. To deliver an impressive answer to this question, there are a few dos and don’ts to consider.

Don’t say that you haven’t got any weaknesses. Everybody will have at least one weakness and to try and suggest you don’t have any will come across as disingenuous and arrogant to the interviewer
Don’t try and present a ‘strength’ as a weakness. For example; ‘I can be a bit of a perfectionist but that is because I have such a keen eye for detail’ - an interviewer will see this as you trying to avoid answering the question
Don’t offer a weakness that has little or no relevance to the role you are interviewing for; ‘I am not a very good cook’ doesn’t really matter if you are applying for a position in a finance team
Don’t put forward a weakness that could have a bearing on whether or not you are successful; if the job role states that strong IT skills are an essential criteria, don’t suggest that you struggle to grasp anything beyond the basics
Do consider where you have been able to overcome a particular weakness; for example if you have previously struggled to say no when colleagues or managers have asked you to take on additional tasks and this has had a negative effect on your ability to meet deadlines, describe how you addressed the issue and how you know handle similar situations
Do try to ensure that your ‘weakness’ is something that you have been able to identify yourself rather than something which has been pointed out to you; the interviewer is looking for you to outline what the weakness was/is, how it was impacting upon your work and what steps you have taken to improve in that area to demonstrate your proactivity and self-awareness.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today for expert advice on your next career move.

ASK THE EXPERT - In a previous interview I was asked what my weaknesses were. I struggled to deliver a good answer - now I have another interview coming up and would like to know how best to handle the question?

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