One minute, you’re the CFO’s right hand.
Trusted. Respected. Pulled into strategic decisions. Asked to evaluate blockchain pilots, FX risk frameworks, funding models… the works.
The next?
“Treasury? Ahh yeah, they’re the cash management guys, right?”
That’s what happened to one treasurer I spoke to recently.
He was telling me how much he loved his job, saying he couldn’t see himself leaving anytime soon, praising his CFO and how well they worked together…
Fast forward three weeks later…
His resume very unexpectedly dropped into my Inbox – I thought “What the heck…” 🤯
So, what changed?
His CFO left. Their new one had an extremely different view of treasury.
Within 10 minutes of their first conversation, he’d been demoted – in perception, and maybe in their new CFO’s brain to “the cash guy”.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with managing cash. It’s a core part of the job. But if that’s all your CFO sees, you’ve got a problem…
Because without that strategic relationship at the top, your influence narrows. Your team loses visibility. Your role shrinks.
And when that happens, you’ve got two choices:
- Accept it and risk becoming invisible.
- Change the narrative.
Here’s how one treasurer did exactly that…
At our New York event, Summa Simmons from Victoria’s Secret told a brilliant story…
She realised most of her business colleagues didn’t actually understand what treasury did and, more importantly, the contribution they made…
So she and her team ran a “Corporate Treasury 101 Roadshow.”
They met with tax, FP&A, AP – the whole lot.
They explained what treasury was, how it added value, and how it could help them.
The result…
- People stopped thinking of treasury as “just cash”
- Colleagues started proactively collaborating
- And some even realised they’d like a move into treasury one day
So, if your CFO doesn’t “get” treasury, or your influence is fading, here’s what I’d suggest:
Coach upwards: Share your wins, your insights, and your impact (in plain language, not treasury jargon).
Sell across: Make sure the wider business knows what you do and how it helps them.
Get proactive: Don’t wait to be invited to the table. Pull out a chair and bring your numbers with you.
Because if you don’t own the story, someone else will tell it for you. And you might not like the role they cast you in!
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. Here’s how Summa described it in her own words:
“We hosted a Treasury 101 session and walked the team through what an ABL is, what a syndicate of banks means, and why those relationships matter. We explained our capital structure – literally Treasury 101.”
“People felt more inspired to ask us questions because they finally understood what we did. And honestly? Everyone wanted to join our team afterwards. So, winning.”
“I also share ideas and learnings on LinkedIn – treasury knowledge shouldn’t just be for the people lucky enough to work with me.”
P.P.S. Want to watch the full clip from the event?
Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/7Zx29G0j-Kw?si=KqSzCLNd7FoDRTHe&t=2574
P.P.P.S. If your role’s lost its strategic edge, it might be time to move on. Hit reply and tell me what’s changed – I’ll tell you if it’s fixable, or if it’s time to start looking.
