Sam Divine, Founder of GrowthXel, joins Kevin Appleby, to delve into the pivotal role of the CFO in shaping culture within the finance function. The conversation underscored the importance of treating everyone fairly and respectfully, a principle deeply ingrained in Divine’s philosophy due to his upbringing during the Liberian Civil War. Both Appleby and Divine shared personal experiences that highlighted the necessity of adapting to circumstances beyond one’s control, emphasizing family, resilience, and adaptability as cornerstones of personal and professional development.

Their discussion further explored how these formative experiences influence career choices and the significance of being in the right place at the right time. Divine and Appleby stressed the value of luck and the importance of connecting with employees to understand and improve organizational culture. They highlighted how creating a culture that encourages innovation and equality within finance departments can drive success, showcasing the CFO’s unique position to foster an environment that not only supports financial goals but also nurtures a fair and dynamic workplace.

Key topics covered include:

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• Sam discusses his early life in Monrovia, Liberia, and his experiences during the 1989 civil war.
  
• Highlights from Sam’s book, “Battlegrounds to Boardroom,” including key lessons on fairness and the non-reliance on material wealth.
  
• Sam’s educational journey to the United States and his career at prestigious firms like Grant Thornton and EY.
  
• Overview of GrowthXel’s consulting services, focusing on optimizing organizations and providing critical interim services for CFOs.
  
• Emphasis on the importance of culture within finance departments and how GrowthXel fosters strong connections and trust with clients.
  
• Strategies for CFOs to enhance team culture, stressing continuous process improvement and valuing every team member’s contribution.
  
• Discussion on the evolving role of the CFO, comparing it to a Secretary of State, necessitating a broader skill set beyond traditional finance functions.
  
• The critical role of curiosity for CFOs, enabling them to ask insightful questions and drive business improvements.
  

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• Sam Divine on LinkedIn
  
• Kevin Appleby on LinkedIn
  
• GrowCFO Mentoring
  

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• 0:0:11 – Introduction to GrowCFO and the host, Kevin Appleby.
  
• 0:1:00 – Introduction of guest Sam Divine, founder of GrowthXel.
  
• 0:1:13 – Sam Divine’s backstory, growing up in Monrovia, Liberia, and experiencing the civil war.
  
• 0:3:09 – Discussion of Sam’s book “Battlegrounds to Boardroom” and the life lessons learned during the civil war.
  
• 0:7:41 – Sam’s transition to the United States for college and his early career.
  
• 0:12:53 – Sam’s career choice to join Grant Thornton and his experiences there.
  
• 0:14:46 – Sam’s move to Atlanta and his decision to join EY over Anderson.
  
• 0:16:28 – Overview of GrowthXel’s consulting services for CFOs, including optimization and interim services.
  
• 0:24:40 – Discussion on the importance of culture in the finance department and how CFOs can foster a positive culture.
  
• 0:28:33 – Exploration of the evolving role of the new CFO and the importance of curiosity in the role.
  

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