INTHEBLACK June/July 2024 - Magazine - Page 31
MY CHALLENGES
A delicate balance
The key challenge in any CFO role is
to get people throughout the organisation
to understand the financial aspects
of their roles. For us, every clinical
decision is also a financial decision.
I walk a very fine line to balance financial
sustainability and clinical need in my
role, because there is a person at the
end of every decision.
For example, if a patient who does not
have Medicare presents at the emergency
department, that affects our budget,
because although we are not funded to
care for them, we do not turn away those
in need.
It is my job to determine the limit,
to allow us to operate within our means
but still deliver the best care every day.
Our medical teams rightly advocate for
the best and most extensive possible care
for our patients, but it must be balanced
financially where possible to ensure our
health service can operate sustainably
and care for everyone in need.
During the pandemic, we needed more
money and the government supported
us so to provide greater flexibility in
the system.
We are not yet back to the position
we were in during 2019, before the
pandemic, and one of the key reasons
is the staff are very tired. Health does
not stop. We are seeing sicker people
presenting for care now, because they
put off surgeries and health problems
during the pandemic. Elective surgery
backups put pressure on the system.
People also think we are still in a pandemic
situation when we are not. It means
they have to re-calibrate their thinking
as to what is and is not possible.
LESSONS LEARNED
Show empathy: This has allowed me to understand and connect with
people I work with better and to build strong, trusting relationships both
with the team that I lead directly but also the people that I work with.
It also allows me to make informed decisions that consider the needs
of others.
Treat your team as your greatest asset: I believe that I am only as good
as my team. Building a strong, cohesive, high performing team has been
critical to my success as a leader.
UPSKILL
with CPA Australia’s
Women in
Leadership
(Finance) virtual
classroom series
Lead by example: I like to set the example of what behaviours and values
I want in the team. I hope this helps inspire, motivate and influence the people
around me.
Always empower: I live by this both in my personal and professional life. I love
to give others the authority, resources, and opportunities they need to make
decisions and achieve their goals. When members of my team have a great
idea, I actively encourage them to act on it. The results are usually brilliant.
READ
an INTHEBLACK
article on how
to communicate
so employees
will listen
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 31
