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You are here: Home / Ask Samuel: My Company hired a new CEO

October 18, 2011 By Samuel Dergel 4 Comments

Ask Samuel: My Company hired a new CEO

Dear Samuel,

I was hired by my current employer 3 years ago. Recently the Board decided to hire a new CEO.

The new CEO has been here for a month, and I’ve met with her a few times. I have to admit, I’m concerned about what will happen to my position.

What can I do to secure my role with my Company?

Insecure in Secaucus

Dear Insecure, 

You face a challenge that many CFOs have faced before you. A good number of these CFOs ended up in a career search.

This is not necessarily the way it needs to be.

The good news is that you can do something about it.

Essentially you need to consider your situation like you’re interviewing for the CFO role, except you have an advantage – you know a lot more about this company and position than for any other job you have ever applied for.

Prove your value. The CEO is your new boss – She didn’t hire you, she acquired you. Prove to her that you are the best person to be CFO. Listen. Ask questions. Understand her strategy. Find out what information she needs from Finance to be a Great CEO. Gain clarity on what support she needs from you in the short term and the long term.

I’ve discussed the importance of relationships for CFOs in the past. There is no more important relationship for a CFO than the relationship with the CEO. 

Making this new situation work takes work. Prepare your plan, and put it into action.

You do not need to be a casualty of a new CEO.

If you need to discuss the specifics with me about this, give me a call at (201) 961-0838. 

Good luck,

Samuel

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Sandeep Bastodkar says

    October 18, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Good advice Samuel. Keep doing the best at your job Insecure, work with the new CEO to once you are aligned on the right goals – no reason to worry at all ! 🙂

    Good luck to you !

    Reply
  2. Jason says

    October 20, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    Let the CEO know what you can do for her perfect job in the future. It will be the value for you with the new CEO.Listen and discuss with the new CEO and to be aware of the operation strategy and working styles about the new CEO. Build friendly and cooperative relationship between you and CEO,and the relationship will help you face and solve the big challange!
    Good luck to you!

    Reply
  3. pax4pax says

    October 24, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    To have met with the new CEO only a few times in the first month says to me that your position is not important to the business. If the CFO was a contributing position, you would have been called in during the interview process and heavily counselled the Board. Certainly, if the CFO position were important, then you would have been necessary for information here at her start.

    I think you should either start looking now and find out how you can increase your contribution to the business so that she does see that she needs that the business needs you.

    Reply
    • Samuel Dergel says

      October 24, 2011 at 8:43 AM

      Thank you for your excellent feedback. Your points are very well taken.

      Working on your recommendation, I would add that the CFO should be a key person involved with the search and selection of an incoming CFO, and the Board should actively seek the CFOs input in this process.

      Samuel

      Reply

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