Strategic Insight

It can be very hard to perform at your best if you are not trusted. Trust is very important in all aspects of life, but it can be difficult to earn. So what do we do, when we want and need to be trusted, and it’s not happening fast enough? In the latest episode of our strategic insight podcast Caroline Stockmann, explores the importance of trust and shares a few key things to be aware of when building trust ourselves and trusting others.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by: Juris Productions

In this week's Strategic Insight series of short podcasts, the topic is negativity - following on from our earlier podcast on positivity.

In her book, Emotional Agility Susan David maintains that the happiest people have learned to ‘unhook’ themselves from unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour.

David also talks about the upside of negativity. When in a state of happiness or positivity, we may be less thoughtful about things, less discerning, and this can cause a sub-optimum outcome. Whereas a negative mood may summon a more attentive, challenging but accommodating thinking style – leading to greater creativity. 

With thanks to Susan David

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

There’s a popular English expression ‘pride comes before a fall’ which warns us not to be too confident – or else! However, in this day and age, many of us find it hard to believe in ourselves and our abilities and those of us that do might be scared to express this to avoid being labelled too confident. 

Low-self esteem can be a hindrance to our career as well as our personal lives in various ways. In this episode, Caroline draws on her wide experience and shares the learnings she has found most valuable in overcoming this hurdle.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live. It’s an anxious and upsetting time and channelling our positivity can be very challenging when the things surrounding us are quite negative. How can we stay positive? In the latest of our series of short podcasts, Caroline reflects on positivity.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

In our current situation, facing great uncertainty, this model can help us get out of a state of mind of ‘survival’ or ‘impossibility’; when it all seems too much, we’re able with practice to switch our mood to a more positive one, which can help us make better decisions, and be less stressed overall.

With thanks to K Bradford Brown and Janet Jones.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

Leadership and followership are both critical to an effective working team, and ultimately to business success. Discerning when to lead and when to allow others to is at the heart of effective leadership. Caroline reflects on some instances in her own career and the lessons we can all draw from these.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

Authenticity counts for a lot in life. Being true to ourselves makes us feel good, helps us communicate with others, building trust and respect even if our views differ. Caroline talks about authenticity and the struggles people face when it comes to being authentic.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

If you really understand yourself and your strengths and use them, a lot of great things can happen. By focusing on the competencies you are naturally best at you’ll also naturally be authentic – one of the key factors in gaining the trust and respect of others.  Funnily enough though, as our talents come naturally, they are also very easy for us to neglect. The theory behind focusing on strengths, developed over time, is that you are far more likely to be successful by building on strengths rather than trying to ‘battle’ with weaknesses.  Focusing on weaknesses can bring incremental improvements, whereas focusing on strengths brings exponential change. 

With thanks to Marcus Buckingham

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

Discussing work versus life balance can be unhelpful as it suggests that there is something inherently bad about work when, under the right circumstances, it can be very fulfilling. Work can set us interesting challenges, be the cause of things we want to celebrate, and it can also bring us new friendships. In this week's podcast, Caroline reflects on the value of work in our life balance.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions

Caroline talks through the external challenges that women in particular face and how they can be dealt with, and how their male colleagues can understand these better and help.

With thanks to Luc Limère.

Further resources:

Boston Consulting Group: The Mix That Matters

Jordan Peterson

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) until April 2023. The ACT is the only professional treasury body with a Royal Charter. We set the global benchmark for treasury excellence and lead the profession through our internationally recognised qualifications, by defining standards and by championing continuing professional development. We are the authentic voice of the treasury profession representing the interests of the real economy and educating, supporting and leading the treasurers of today and tomorrow. www.treasurers.org

Produced by Juris Productions