6 Human-centric Levers for Any CFO to Turn Transformations into Success

The Human Blueprint: How CFOs Can Double the Success of Any Transformation

In an era of constant economic uncertainty, transformation is no longer a one-time project—it’s a core competency. As integral leaders in steering their organizations toward long-term competitiveness, Chief Financial Officers (CFO) are at the helm of these crucial efforts for transformation.

Yet, a startling statistic reveals a gap between ambition and execution: nearly half of CFOs believe their organization lacks the capabilities to transform successfully. The old playbook, focused solely on milestones and budgets, is failing. So, what separates the successful transformations from the underperforming ones?

The answer lies not in spreadsheets or software, but in people.

A research from EY and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School reveals a powerful insight: by consciously empowering their people, CFO can more than double the likelihood of transformation success—from a dismal 28% chance to a robust 73%.

The secret? Mastering six key human-centric levers.

1. Inspire: Craft a Compelling “Why” That Resonates

Many transformation visions are created in boardrooms but fail to land in the bullpen. The research shows that nearly half of the finance workforce impacted by a failed transformation didn’t understand the leadership’s vision.

The CFO’s Pivot: Move from a corporate mission statement to a relatable human story. Your team needs a vision they can connect with on a personal level—one that answers the fundamental question, “Why does this matter to me?”

Key Action: Step outside your comfort zone. Engage in open, two-way discussions about the vision and its impact. Share personal stories to build an emotional connection and make the “why” unforgettable.

2. Lead: Swap Certainty for Empathy and Authenticity

Finance leaders are often trained to project self-confidence and certainty. However, managing the human side of transformation requires a different skillset: empathetic leadership.

The data reveals a significant empathy gap:

50% of finance leaders believe they understand their team’s needs.
Only 36% of finance teams feel their leaders understand them.

The CFO’s Pivot: True CFO leadership during transformation is less about having all the answers and more about understanding the questions and anxieties of your team.

Key Action: Practice inclusive leadership. Actively listen for skepticism and manage your team—and yourself—through the emotional turbulence of change.

3. Care: Build Psychological Safety for Anxious Teams

In times of transformation, “change” is often heard as “cost-cutting” or “layoffs.” This creates a climate of fear that can sabotage even the most well-intentioned plans. While 46% of finance leaders say they accept ideas from junior staff, only 31% of employees feel heard.

The CFO’s Pivot: Actively build a supportive environment where people feel safe to voice opinions and concerns. Psychological safety is not a soft skill; it’s a critical success factor.

Key Action: Be visibly seen listening and responding to feedback. Use anonymous digital tools and middle-management influencers to capture undiluted staff sentiment. Set realistic expectations by being transparent about both the opportunities and challenges ahead.

4. Empower: Foster a Culture of Safe Experimentation

The CFO and finance function’s “no surprises” culture, while valuable for compliance, can stifle the innovation necessary for transformation. Finance staff are more likely to believe that failed experiments will hurt their careers (70% vs. 62% in other functions).

The CFO’s Pivot: You must create a “fail fast” mindset. Give your team the freedom to experiment, learn, and adapt without fear of negative repercussions.

Key Action: Delegate decision rights clearly. Define the boundaries for “failing fast” so teams have the autonomy to be agile while still meeting macro goals. Let go of the drive for 100% perfection on the first try.

5. Build: Put People at the Center of Technology Rollouts

While technology is a key transformation driver, it’s also one of the biggest challenges. Too often, new systems are deployed with a “train and adapt” mandate, with little consideration for the end-user experience.

The CFO’s Pivot: Adopt a product-based approach to technology design. Involve users early and often, allowing them to test and provide feedback throughout the development process.

Key Action: Prioritize progress over perfection. Implement technology to make the transformation tangible early. Give your team time to experiment with the tech during the design phase, shaping the configuration for better outcomes and higher adoption.

6. Collaborate: Co-Create New Ways of Working

There is a significant collaboration disconnect in finance: 48% of leaders believe processes are designed for good collaboration, but only 31% of employees agree.

The CFO’s Pivot: Break down silos and consciously design for collaboration. Empower your teams to redesign their own work, bringing fresh, cross-disciplinary perspectives to old problems.

Key Action: Co-create new ways of working. Identify and leverage organizational influencers to solicit constant feedback. Design processes that capture data correctly the first time, reducing friction and freeing up capacity for value-added work.

The Bottom Line: Success Starts and Ends with Your People

CFOs are uniquely positioned to see the organization holistically. By shifting focus from purely technical execution to these six human levers, CFO can set the tone for a transformation that is not only successful but sustainable.

The formula is clear: Place your people at the very center of your transformation strategy. Inspire them with a shared purpose, lead them with empathy, and empower them with safety and tools. By doing so, you won’t just be changing processes—you’ll be building a future-ready finance function capable of driving value for years to come.

🔗 Links for More:

Read the full article on EY website or NeoForm LinkedIn page.

📌 About NeoForm:
NeoForm Business Partners is a strategic and transformational partner specialized in Financial Transformation through financial efficiency and agility.

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