The Importance of Broad Scanning for CFO's

"Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind" Samuel Johnson, The Rambler, 1751

Business now requires you as a leader to be an explorer, excited by opportunity and uncertainty. As a broad scanner, you are invigorated by the differences around you, driven by a sense of adventure and a desire to see and experience new things. Broad scanning and inquisitiveness are the fuel for increasing business savvy, enhancing your ability to understand people and augmenting your capacity for dealing with uncertainty. Broad scanning enables you to develop character, duality and savvy and to understand how all three factors work together.

Broad scanning leads you to probe below the surface, deep into people's values. As a broad scanner, you will embrace duality by managing uncertainty -essentially, knowing when to act, when to gather more information - and balance tensions - understanding what needs to change and what needs to stay the same.

As a broad scanner, you allow time for research, but you do not allow the search for clarity to jeopardise early advantages.

In addition to managing uncertainty, you need to balance various tensions as you confront the pressures for both integration and local responsiveness.

What is some of the evidence for effective Broad Scanning?

• Excitement about opportunity and comfort with uncertainty

• Desire to see and experience new things

• Ability to understand what needs to change and what needs to stay the same
• Ability to research, but also knowing when to move on

Broad Scanning is one of eleven capabilities included in the Business Acumen Gauge Assessment. Request information and your free self assessment here

James O'Brien is the Managing Partner of High Street Partners and has over 15 years experience in senior commercial, CFO and general management positions with a focus on strategy, people and leadership. Most recently he was CFO – Asia for CBRE the US listed global real estate services business. He consultants to CEO’s and CFO’s on four key decisions: people, strategy, execution and cash.  www.hspg.com.au

James is also accredited in the Business Acumen Gauge from Quad Assessments.