‘It's time to back yourself': How this CFO learned to follow her own lead

The Australian

3 days ago

Aristocrat Leisure Limited Chief Financial Officer Sally Denby says learning to get out of her own way was key to progressing from senior finance roles to a leadership position.
In this interview Denby tells us about her journey to CFO, including grappling with self-doubt, the relationships and mentors who shaped her as a leader, and her experiences working as a woman, and a mother, in finance.
Q: Can you describe your journey to the CFO role?
Denby: It was never my intention to end up as a CFO, I've always just taken the opportunities.
A lot of people think every career step you take is going to be a step up. However, when I lay out my career path, I can see I've had a few roles where I went sideways. These moves happened for many reasons, whether it was to spend time in a different country or industry or take a new role within the same organisation.
For me, the most significant moment was when I finally decided to back myself. I made the call to put my hat in the ring for CFO. I didn't need anyone else to tell me I could do it, I just needed to believe it myself.
Q: What prompted that shift in mindset?
Denby: A couple of things. I spent some time reflecting on my fears about the role and realised I was already dealing with them every day. The more challenging conversations I was already having and while I didn't think I wanted to be engaging with the external market, I already was.
I also started to challenge what someone else was going to bring to the table that I either didn't have or couldn't learn.
I then realised it was self-doubt that was holding me back.
It was the first time I really had to back myself.
Sally Denby is Aristocrat Leisure Limited Chief Financial Officer
Q: Who are some of the people that helped you on your journey?
Denby: Most people I worked with brought something to the table. I remember the first leader I worked for when I moved to Australia, he was fiery, passionate and very direct. He would buy his leadership team books on management and personal development, and we would read them and then digest and discuss as a team.
I've always cared about people, but he put emotional intelligence at the forefront of all conversations, and that really resonated with me. I didn't appreciate the impact he was having on me until many years later.
You also don't have to agree with everyone to have a positive relationship with them. I worked for one leader who I didn't always agree with, but we managed to form a great level of trust and respect. They had a very open personality. It created an environment where we worked really well together, and I learned a lot. That has ultimately ended up with a lasting friendship today.
Q: What shaped your values and who you are as a leader?
Denby: Being your authentic self is critical.
When I've had things going on in my personal life, I've always told my team and acknowledged and owned that I might not be the best version of myself. I want them to understand the context.
By being human, you form a stronger connection with others, and they will ultimately go out of their way to help you, and the team succeed. You are only ever as good as your team. I'm not the smartest person in the room, but I like to think that I understand people and process how to connect the dots to support driving great outcomes.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you see for women in the pipeline to CFO?
Denby: Self-selection. It's important to determine whether being a CFO is something you actually want and are prepared to do. My partner works part-time, so it's possible for me to have a child and be travelling three months a year. If my child was younger, there would have been more contemplation and a different impact to consider for me and my family, and I would have likely made the decision not to do it at that time. It's a big ask, and I think some people decide to opt out of the role because they're not willing to make some of those choices.
Q: Are there any other challenges for women?
Denby: When you go out for a business dinner and you're the only woman at the table, do you feel totally comfortable? No.
Q: Is that something you have to build resilience around?
Denby: Yes.
Being in a male-dominated space can really put some people off. Some things have changed and made it easier for women, but it's still not as comfortable as it could be.
When you're in the minority, it can be difficult to stay true to yourself. Sometimes it's easier to emulate others in order to succeed. However, I think the opposite is true – you must be true to yourself and comfortable in who you are. It brings diversity and difference of opinion which can only help us move forward but it isn't always easy.
Q: What advice would you give to women who are grappling with these challenges?
Denby: It's time to back yourself, get the self-doubt out of your head.
Don't wait to be asked, push yourself forward.
There is no perfect time for a career change, having a family or other life choices. Just go with it, do what is going to work for you, and back yourself.
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