Navigating the Depths of Our Site: Going Beyond the Numbers and Embracing Creativity

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Breaking the finance stereotype: A finance leader's perspective

In the world of creative industries, finance leaders are often perceived as roadblocks - number crunchers, bean counters, and budget enforcers. But according to Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, global finance leader at Ogilvy, this perception doesn't align with the reality of her role.

While it's essential that financial leadership ensures the numbers work, Ryan-Cornelius' experience shows that being an effective finance leader requires more than just analytical rigor. It demands a balanced blend of science, art, and soul. Here's a look at how each of these elements has shaped her leadership journey.

The science of finance: Seeing the human aspect

The scientific side of finance involves technical skills, KPIs, and measurable results that guide performance. But beyond these, Ryan-Cornelius has found that the numbers tell nuanced stories that reveal hidden insights about human behavior, morale, and emotions.

As a global financial leader, she carries the responsibility of safeguarding the financial health of thousands of employees and clients. To fulfill this role effectively, she goes beyond the technical skills to understand human behavior. By embracing the principles of behavioral science, she's learned to assess business cases with balance, making decisions that consider hidden agendas, unforeseen complexities, and costs.

The art of finance: Bringing vision to life

Art is deeply personal and has its own unique expression. Inspired by this concept, Ryan-Cornelius has found that embracing the artistry in her role has a tangible impact on their business, particularly in client partnerships. By immersing herself in the creative process and collaborating with internal teams and client stakeholders, she gains a deeper understanding of clients' needs. This collaboration helps to align financial decisions with the client's vision, driving mutual success.

The soul of finance: Leading with purpose

The soul, or fullest self, is the essence of leadership. Ryan-Cornelius believes that her self-belief is her greatest asset, fueling her confidence in making bold decisions and staying grounded during challenging times. As a woman of color, she has faced unique challenges in her industry, but she has learned to overcome them through self-validation, focusing on her strengths and maintaining a strong sense of purpose.

Ryan-Cornelius emphasizes that her role extends beyond mere financial responsibility to encompass emotional and personal responsibility as well. By embracing her soul as a source of strength, she helps set an example for others, demonstrating that differences should be celebrated as opportunities for growth.

In today's world, the science, art, and soul of financial leadership have become central to Ryan-Cornelius' leadership philosophy. By looking beyond conventional boundaries, she has learned that financial success is not only about fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and human connection but also securing sustainable growth and lasting impact.

[1] Behavioral Science in Leadership: https://www.ogilvychange.com/thought-leadership/behavioral-science-in-leadership[2] The Role of Artistic Thinking in Leadership: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5712631/[3] The Importance of Financial Analysis and Planning in Creative Industries: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/09/16/the-importance-of-financial-analysis-and-planning-in-the-creative-industries/?sh=3e6339587aa9[4] The Power of Innovation and Creativity in Leadership: https://hbr.org/2013/09/the-power-of-creativity-in-business-leadership

To ensure financial health and make informed decisions, Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, a leader in the creative industries, relies on behavioral science principles, acknowledging the human aspect that lies beneath the numbers.
By embracing the artistry in her role, Ryan-Cornelius collaborates with internal teams and client stakeholders, aligning financial decisions with clients' unique visions for mutual success.
Finance, for Ryan-Cornelius, is not just about numbers but also about leading with purpose, using her self-belief as a source of strength to overcome challenges and set an example for others.
As a finance leader, Ryan-Cornelius stresses the importance of emotional and personal responsibility, creating a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and human connection.
Ryan-Cornelius' leadership philosophy values not only the growth of a sustainable business but also the lasting impact that comes from celebrating diversity-and-inclusion and embracing the power of creativity.
In the world of finance, investing smartly does not only mean securing financial capital; it also means fostering a culture that nurtures the science, art, and soul of leadership.