Critical Thinking for Finance Leaders

Be A.C.T.I.V.E. – Lead Beyond the Numbers.

In today’s volatile business environment, finance leaders are no longer judged by accuracy alone—they’re judged by how well they navigate complexity, lead across functions, and make decisions that stand the test of time.

This high-impact, experiential course gives you a practical toolkit to lead with clarity, courage, and conscious strategy. You’ll learn the A.C.T.I.V.E.™ model, a proven framework built for finance professionals, and strengthen the five critical muscles of thinking: Courage, Curiosity, Consciousness, Connection, and Clarity.

Over three interactive sessions, you’ll work through real-world scenarios, uncover hidden thinking traps, and develop a leadership mindset that cuts through noise and drives long-term value.

Why This Course Now?

The best finance leaders are no longer just logical. They’re systemic, emotionally intelligent, and ethically grounded. This course is designed for those ready to step up and lead thinking – not just manage numbers.

You’ll leave with new insights, new language, and new habits that empower you to make decisions that are not only smarter – but more strategic, human, and high-impact. Sustainable.

Next Live Workshop Dates

Workshop: Awareness & Bias - See the Water You Swim In

Learn how to uncover cognitive bias, think beyond the spreadsheet, and make conscious decisions.

Workshop: Courageous Thinking - Challenge with Clarity

Build the awareness and learn the tools to challenge unconscious assumptions – especially your own. Explore the relationship between logic, emotion, and leadership under pressure.

Workshop: Lead from Reality – Decide with Integrity, Intent, and Impact

Learn how to connect data, culture, and long-term value. Practice seeing second- and third-order consequences and lead with strategic foresight.

Course Overview

What we Cover:

This course blends neuroscience, systems thinking, leadership psychology, and real finance challenges. Topics include:

Bias & belief traps in financial decisions
Strategic thinking beyond the first-order
Integrating neuroscience & logic in decision-making
Ethical clarity & values-based leadership
Leading influence across silos and functions

The Challenges:

Finance professionals today are navigating:

Data overload + decision fatigue
Siloed thinking and short-termism
Pressure to “know the answer” before exploring better ones
Systemic risks that defy Excel logic
High-stakes leadership moments with no perfect playbook

The Barriers:

Cognitive biases disguised as logic
Inherited decision cultures
Time scarcity for reflection or inquiry
Low emotional literacy in finance environments
A reward system that favors certainty over insight

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

✔️ Spot hidden biases before they derail strategy
✔️ Think in systems—seeing long-term impact, not just short-term gains
✔️ Integrate data, emotion, and narrative in leadership decisions
✔️ Challenge assumptions with confidence and clarity
✔️ Model critical thinking as a leadership act—not a spreadsheet formula

You won’t just think differently. You’ll lead differently.

Business Benefits:

Sharper, more resilient decision-making
Increased cross-functional credibility
A culture of reflection, not reactivity
Greater alignment on what matters most
Leaders who think ahead, not just fast

Course Facilitator

Damian Smith

Lead Facilitator

Damian Smith is a “recovering CFO” with 25 years of experience across finance and sales leadership. A former BN$ Regional CFO and systemic team coach, Damian specialises in transforming finance leaders into strategic thinkers who influence at the highest levels.

Prerequisites: No Prerequisite knowledge is required to be successful in this course

Advanced Preparation: No advanced preparation is required

Program Level: Basic

Delivery Method: Group Live

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