Reverse Engineer Exercise

• Reverse Engineering Exercise

Article:

Dealing with Change – by Benjamin R. Mulling (http://sfmagazine.com/post-entry/february-2016-dealing-with-change/)

It’s no secret how the global stock markets have started the year. In terms of market performance, it’s one of the worst starts that we’ve seen in recent history. Yet we shouldn’t be surprised about this type of volatility. While I can’t predict what the market will do in terms of going up and down, I can predict that the market and our perspective on it will constantly change.

This type of situation is nothing unusual for every CFO around the globe. Our role has morphed into a whole new set of requirements compared to 50 years ago. I’ve had to face a lot of change in my own role as CFO, and I’ve come to realize that it’s important for every effective CFO to possess three characteristics during changing times.

The first one is competency. If you don’t know what you’re talking about, people won’t follow you. You must have those critical decision-making and technical skills that every effective CFO possesses. The CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) certification is chock full of this knowledge! It definitely gave me confidence that I had the competence to lead my company through changing times. And with more than 46,000 CMA credentials issued, certified members all over the world have echoed this opinion.

The second attribute is composure. Change comes in all forms. It can happen abruptly and in different doses. It’s what we do during these times that defines us as leaders. I like to think of the CFO as a company’s thermometer. If the CFO is panicked, many of the other senior leaders will be as well. Volunteering in IMA leadership positions–in chapters, on councils, and on various local and global committees—can help you develop this skill of composure.

Third, and most important, you need courage. Courage to do the ethical thing. Courage to make a decision that may not be popular but that you know is...