Leadership is changing.
Across the charity and social purpose sector, leaders are being asked to do more with less, navigate complexity with clarity, and bring people with them through uncertainty.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, not only because we’ve just wrapped up the latest Inspiring Financial Leadership course (delivered in partnership with Charity Finance Group), but also through recent conversations with Maggie Smith from Bayes Business School, where we recorded two podcasts exploring what leadership looks like in 2025 and beyond.
What’s become clear is that the qualities we need in leaders today, particularly in finance roles, aren’t just about technical skill or strategic thinking, they’re about how we show up.
For me, leadership has always been about presence, empathy and building trust. I often think back to my school headmaster: a quiet leader who was consistently visible and approachable. He wasn’t the loudest voice, but people respected him because he led with integrity and connection. As the American civil rights activist and poet Maya Angelou said, “…people will forget what you said, … but people will never forget how you made them feel…”.
It’s a lesson I carry with me in my role today. Alongside my fellow Partners at Sayer Vincent, I help lead a team of people at all different stages of their careers. The approach I try to take in this role, the one that I believe creates real impact, is rooted in curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen.
Good leadership doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means creating the conditions where others feel able to ask questions, share ideas, and grow into leaders themselves. That openness, that sense of shared learning, is what enables teams to thrive.
It also matters more than ever. Many of us are navigating systems and challenges we’ve never faced before. While automation and AI are reshaping parts of how we work, the human element remains critical. People want leaders who are consistent, compassionate, and clear, especially when the road ahead feels uncertain.
None of this is particularly complex. In fact, most of it is quite simple, but simple doesn’t always mean easy. The reality is that even when we know what good leadership looks like, it takes real intention, and practice, to live it.
So where does this leave those in finance roles?
Many finance professionals find themselves in leadership positions because of their deep organisational insight. However, the ones who thrive are those who go beyond the numbers and use that insight to support, empower and connect others.
The best finance leaders I know:
- Understand that data only becomes powerful when it’s shared and used well
- Think carefully about how they communicate. Financial information can be empowering or alienating, depending on how it’s delivered
- Appreciate the wider context, especially in the charity sector, where financial decisions directly affect outcomes for people and communities
- Understand the power of peer networks. Being surrounded by people who share the same challenges and language creates space for learning, support, and growth.
If this resonates with you, and if you’re someone who wants to grow as a leader and support others to do the same, CFG’s Inspiring Financial Leadership course might be a good next step.
Applications for the next Inspiring Financial Leadership course have just opened! You can find out more here.