#218 Soft Skills Every Financial Leader Needs with Melanie Coeshott

https://open.spotify.com/episode/65A52E2nhXg7T5L4SPV1Q1

As the business landscape becomes increasingly complex, the ability to effectively communicate, manage people, and navigate interpersonal dynamics has become just as essential as technical financial expertise. Melanie Coeshott, a GrowCFO mentor, shares her insights and experiences in coaching and facilitating courses that help finance professionals develop these crucial soft skills.

Melanie and Kevin Appleby explore the importance of experiential learning, where participants actively engage in role-playing, group discussions, and feedback sessions to hone their skills. They discuss the various courses Melanie facilitates, including emotional skills, interpersonal skills, people management, and delegation. Melanie emphasizes the need for finance professionals to continuously develop their soft skills, regardless of their career stage, as these capabilities can significantly impact their effectiveness as leaders and their ability to navigate the evolving business environment.

The key highlights of this session include Melanie's personal journey from an accountant in the financial services industry to a career coach and facilitator, her insights on the role of mindset and limited beliefs in career development, and the practical strategies she employs to help her clients and workshop participants unlock their full potential. The discussion also delves into the nuances of active listening, the importance of empowering others through effective delegation, and the value of creating a safe and inclusive environment for learning and growth.

Key topics covered:

Melanie's background as an accountant and her transition to a career coach and facilitator

The importance of soft skills for finance professionals, including emotional skills, interpersonal skills, people management, and delegation

The experiential learning approach used in Melanie's courses, emphasizing active engagement and feedback

Melanie's insights on addressing mindset and limited beliefs in career coaching

The role of motivational maps in understanding individual drivers and satisfaction levels

The overlap between one-on-one coaching and group workshops in developing soft skills

The relevance of soft skills courses for finance professionals at different career stages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkPl3enoqso

Links

Melanie Coeshott on LinkedIn

Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn

GrowCFO Mentoring

Timestamps

0:00:34 - Introduction and initial greetings

0:01:48 - Melanie's background and facilitation work with GrowCFO

0:05:27 - Discussion of the various courses Melanie facilitates

0:12:38 - The importance of soft skills for aspiring CFOs

0:16:13 - Melanie's approach to the delegation and empowerment course

0:25:17 - Melanie's use of motivational maps in career coaching

0:37:44 - Explanation of the motivational maps tool

0:47:03 - Discussion of networking for future CFOs

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