Practical psychology: Tips for effective, influential leadership
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Release Date: 01/14/2026
Why strategy, governance, and ethics are “intrinsically connected”
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Published on Global Ethics Day, this episode of the FM podcast is the continuation of an occasional series focused on ethics and called Beyond the Code. That means taking a detailed look at part of the CIMA Code of Ethics. Xose Lumor, manager–Advocacy and Professional Ethics, speaks with Fraser Simpson, a strategy and governance leader, on why ethics should be embedded in decision-making rather than treated as a compliance exercise. The conversation explores how leaders can navigate uncertainty, balance competing priorities, and make better decisions in complex organisations...
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October FM: Rethinking staff budgeting, avoiding AI ‘hijacking’
Financial Management (FM) magazine
FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe rejoins the podcast to discuss the content in the October edition of the magazine. Rowe shares the key points of the cover article on making the shift from budgeting based on input to budgeting for impact. He also discusses an article that offers advice on how to deal with artificial intelligence systems that have been “fed” prompt injections. The column by CIMA president Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, is also summarised. Ramosedi discussed “irreplaceable” attributes for finance professionals in of the FM podcast. The episode with Rowe ends with an...
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Quantum finance lessons on risk and uncertainty
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Arif Ahmed, ACMA, CGMA, Ph.D., author of Quantum Finance: The CFO's Survival Kit for an Uncertain World, joined the FM podcast to discuss the relationship between quantum theory and corporate finance. Ahmed explains why financial models are hindered by mindset, strategies for rethinking financial modelling and risk management in an increasingly interconnected era, and how finance professionals can use technology to emulate quantum principles in financial models. “If I may use a quantum thought process, things move in small bits, but overall, once they speed up, when they start moving...
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ENGAGE speaker: Strategic thinking isn’t just for CEOs
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Devya Athwal, founder of Athwal Resourcing & Coaching, is scheduled to present two sessions at , 13–14 October in London. Athwal returned to the FM podcast to discuss the mindset shifts that help finance professionals become more resilient and adaptable in the face of uncertainty, why professionals don’t need a leadership title to be strategic, and tips for improving task prioritisation when demand exceeds capacity. “I think there’s a myth that strategic thinking is only for the CEO and the top board,” Athwal said. “You don’t have to wait for that title to be strategic. You...
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Irreplaceable attributes in an AI world — Q&A with the CIMA president
Financial Management (FM) magazine
CIMA president , FCMA, CGMA, detailed the competencies that finance professionals need to navigate AI and how to transform “suffering” into growth and opportunity. Ramosedi, also the co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the CEO of Bayport Financial Services, joined the FM podcast to discuss the skills management accountants should prioritise, the core values and lessons that shaped him as a leader, and how different generations can work together to progress the finance function. In the conversation, Ramosedi emphasised the importance of...
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FM August: Agent behaviour, AI and early careers, business jargon
Financial Management (FM) magazine
In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the August digital edition of the magazine. Rowe details an article that discusses the history of business jargon, when it should be used, and when it should be avoided. He also shares details about several articles related to artificial intelligence, including one on how AI is changing early career paths for finance professionals. He also shares details on a technical article with the headline “Why Time Matters in Carbon Accounting”. Rowe closes with a summary of leadership columns and an explanation of...
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5 steps for making better decisions under pressure
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Leadership and mental health speaker returns to the FM podcast to discuss his ENGAGE UK & Europe session, outline his five-point framework for enhanced decision-making, and share more common biases that distort critical thinking. Pain also explains the importance of clarifying information instead of relying on gut instincts to form conclusions. is 13–14 October in London. until 9 October. What you’ll learn from this episode: Why immediacy pushes us into gut-based reasoning. Five questions to consider before making a decision. Two types of distorted thinking that can make...
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Leadership traits that help finance teams thrive
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Leadership coach and mentor Sue Milne, FCMA, CGMA, describes key strategic and interpersonal skills that can help finance professionals keep pace with evolving business expectations, along with key questions that can help them grow as leaders. Milne also shares essential attributes for managing finance teams today, how leaders can maintain awareness of potential blind spots, and what core values contribute to inspirational leadership. What you’ll learn from this episode: What inspired Milne’s career transition. How to build better relationships with stakeholders. Key skills...
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‘Own your results’: Building accountability as a CFO
Financial Management (FM) magazine
Eric R. Alexander, CPA, president of advisory service company Six Arrows Consulting, discusses the lessons he’s learned throughout his career in finance and what being a finance leader means for him, and other insights from his upcoming book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin’ Accountants: Serving as the CFO. He shares key strategies for developing as a stewardship leader, including how he holds himself accountable, how he views his role as a trusted adviser for organisations, and the steps he has taken to improve in the relational and people aspects of the finance function. “I've been...
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June FM: AI presentations, anti-fraud culture, Rise2040
Financial Management (FM) magazine
In this podcast episode, FM editor-in-chief Oliver Rowe summarises the content in the June edition of the magazine. Rowe details an article on using artificial intelligence tools to bolster presentations and introduces a new, recurring column on global advocacy. He also highlights several other articles in the edition. FM’s (member login required). Also, access . What you’ll learn from this episode: Highlights of an article about what AI tools can do to improve business presentations. Details of a new, recurring column on global advocacy, which for this edition includes a focus on...
info_outlineSteve Roberts, a psychotherapist, counsellor, and life coach, spoke last year at UK & Ireland ENGAGE. In this podcast conversation, he highlights key techniques for engaging workforces, how to resolve conflicts more effectively, and the impact increased digital communication has had on the way we interpret information.
Roberts also shares one fundamental practice that can help professionals prepare for future challenges without losing their principles.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- Three factors that can influence the way we engage with peers.
- Some pressures that can lead to burnout for workforces.
- Why win-win models are the only sustainable position for leaders.
- The story of the Zen master and how it can inform a better approach to learning.
- An acronym for developing a more understanding approach to conflict resolution.
- How managers can become “practical psychologists”.
- One essential habit for creating a value-centred approach to personal development.
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