Register for the webinar now and learn how finance leaders are breaking the reporting rut and driving strategic impact: https://insightsoftware.com/resources/get-out-of-the-reporting-rut-how-finance-leaders-drive-strategic-impact/
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In this insightful episode of The Diary of a CFO Podcast, host Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, sits down with Mike High, CMA, FPAC, VP Administration and Chief Financial Officer at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). With 25 years of international experience across public and private sectors, including 17 years at Shell (where he served as CFO of Shell Deep Water) and service as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, Mike brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, FP&A, digital transformation, and executive finance.
Mike shares leadership lessons from the Army to corporate finance, including why the platinum rule beats one-size-fits-all leadership, what truly changes when stepping from FP&A into the CFO seat, and how to carry a portfolio of crises without burning out. Together, Wassia and Mike discuss practical playbooks for leading through crises, how to keep long-term work moving during emergencies, what most companies get wrong about FP&A, and how to make digital transformation succeed.
Whether you’re a finance professional aspiring to the CFO role or a seasoned executive refining your leadership playbook, this conversation offers practical insights, tested frameworks, and the inspiration to thrive at the top of finance leadership.
Key Takeaways:
-From Golden Rule to Platinum Rule: Why tailoring leadership to each individual is more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach.
-The CFO Shift: What truly changes when moving from FP&A into the CFO chair, and the accountability it brings.
-Crisis Playbooks: Practical strategies for managing a portfolio of crises while keeping long-term work on track.
-FP&A Missteps: What most companies get wrong about FP&A, and how to empower true business partnering.
-Digital Transformation: How to make transformation succeed through partnerships, ecosystem thinking, and the “two in a box” model with IT.
-Team Composition: Why FP&A teams need offense, defense, referees, and goal-scorers to maximize impact.
Noteworthy Quotes:
“I started with the golden rule of leadership, but I’ve learned the platinum rule is more powerful: lead people the way they need to be led.” – Mike High
“As CFO, you can’t outsource accountability. The buck truly stops with you.” – Mike High
“FP&A isn’t just finance; it’s business partnering. Our job is to help the organization see where it’s going.” – Mike High
“Sometimes leadership requires courage, moving ahead with ‘not no’ until you earn the yes.” – Mike High
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Mike High’s background and role at NAIT
06:48 – Transitioning from the military into corporate finance and discovering the CFO path
09:14 – The toughest parts of moving from FP&A to the CFO seat
15:38 – Practical CFO playbooks: communication, prioritization, and role modeling
20:00 – What organizations get wrong about FP&A and why it’s not accounting
23:47 – Technology, digital transformation, and the role of IT partnerships
31:28 – Balancing transformation with crisis management and resource advocacy
37:15 – The ideal FP&A team composition: offense, defense, referees, statisticians, and goal-scorers
40:45 – Mike’s favorite things outside of work: family, reading, and travel
Wondering if you're ready for the CFO role? Find out with the free CFO Readiness Scorecard: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com
📬 Get Involved
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhigh/
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT): https://www.linkedin.com/school/nait/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/
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