By Steve Brifu Sarkodie
Our October 2025 “Women in Finance: Leading Teams Through Change” webinar delivered a clear message: leadership today is as much about human skills as it is about technical expertise. By leading with clarity, empathy, and confidence, finance leaders are not only navigating change but also shaping the future of the profession.
Change is now constant in the finance profession, driven by digital transformation, automation, shifting workforce expectations, and global uncertainty. The webinar highlighted that effective leadership in this environment is less about having all the answers and more about fostering clarity, trust, and resilience. As finance roles expand, leaders must balance technical demands with empathy, communication, and adaptability, with leaders often bringing a collaborative, people-centered style well-suited to periods of transition. The discussion emphasized transparent, consistent communication to reduce uncertainty, along with empowerment and psychological safety to help teams adapt and innovate in hybrid, cross-functional settings. It also underscored the importance of leader resilience, grounded in self-awareness, boundary-setting, and peer support, in handling change resistance. Ultimately, the session reinforced that inclusive leadership, and diverse perspectives provide a strategic advantage in navigating ongoing change.
Linda Nel, CA (SA), CPA, CISA, talks about adaptability and how to make it part of a team’s everyday culture
Shingi Gwindingwi, CA (SA), CPA, Managing Consultant at Cross Country Consulting, shared her thoughts about building trust in a team and Driving Automation-driven Change in Finance
Nancy Chakabuda, CA, SA, CPA, CISA, MBA, VP CAW Network USA, Transformational Leader & Senior Accounting Director for a Fortune 200 company, also discussed techniques for influencing change when there is no full authority over existing stakeholders.
She also touched on managing resistance to change.