Chief Financial Officer | Keynote Speaker | Online Learning Instructor on Change Leadership and Strategic Influence | 2x 40 Under 40 CPAs
The real game-changer in the future of finance isn't AI. It is not another technical certification either. It is soft skills. Or human skills, I should say. With so much buzz around technology, it is easy to get caught up with the latest tech trends and certifications. So, let's remember what truly sets us apart (and always has): our human skills. These skills influence how we learn and leverage technology, how we interpret data, and ultimately how we make decisions. Think about it. During high-stakes meetings, it's not just about the numbers. It's about understanding the needs and motivations of the other side, finding common ground to move forward - skills no AI can replicate. Here is an example of how human skills elevate some of the work we do now. Imagine how much impact we will have in the future if we invest more in them. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this.
Ryan Donaghy
7mo
An (slightly hyperbolic but still right on target) observation I heard a while back was "with the tools of the Gods and the knowledge of the Gods, you also need the wisdom to match this", Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA,. The tools are AI, so the speak. The wisdom is the soft skills. The need for our humanity never goes away.
Wow…so many of my managers had no empathy. Just that alone would have made so many of my experiences in corporate vastly different. And I was thinking today of decisions that sales, marketing, legal, etc people make sometimes not considering the impact those decisions can have on the accounting team. 🤦🏽♀️ Human skills can definitely be underrated.
SkillFine
7mo
Early on technical skills matter most but as you grow in the role the ability to manage teams and be able to drive the conversations takes over. Good mapping between technical and human skills above Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA
Shuaib Suleman
7mo
The fusion of advanced computational tools and nuanced human judgment forms the bedrock of financial innovation and decision-making. We must cultivate emotional intelligence alongside quantitative skills Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA
Andrew Jepson
7mo
I call these business partnering skills - how do you work effectively with others who have other agendas And most people don’t get this til it’s too late and get stuck in middle management pergotary
Amadou SOW
7mo
Love this one here ! It resonates so much ! As business partner, empathy and resilience have been my main assets troughtout my career so far, besides of the necessary technical skills of course. Real game changer and differentiator in the corporate "game".
Definitely! The human touch is irreplaceable, especially when it comes to navigating complex negotiations and building strong, lasting relationships.
Mallory Woehler
7mo
Nicely laid out Wassia!
This is a fantastic list Wassia. So many gems. The biggest takeaway for me: you NEED BOTH technical and human skills to create true impact.
Operations ✷➡️ Financial Advisory ✷➡️ Research
7moSpot on Wassia. We are after all human persons first before anything else. Before the hard skills (degrees, certifications etc; which are extremely important by the way) we strive to build relationships first. That is why those who build vital (stress on vital) relationships perform better overall. You name it: on the job, as entrepreneurs, as solopreneurs, in life generally; these individuals perform better everywhere. The rise of AI is unending and it is undoubtedly going to shape the work we do going forward in all aspects. However, the importance of building of vital soft skills cannot be overemphasised. Thank you for sharing this insightful piece.