Starting Strong as a New CFO, with Matt Ziegler

Starting a new role as CFO isn’t just about proving you can handle the numbers—it’s about creating early momentum, setting the right tone for your team, and aligning with the business on what success looks like. In this episode, Matt Ziegler shares insights from his first 90 days at GovExec and reveals strategies that any business leader can use to build strong foundations in a new leadership role.

Let’s get into it!

This Week’s Entry

Making an impact in a new leadership role is challenging, especially in the critical early days. Here’s what Matt’s experience can teach us:

• Start Building Relationships Before Day One: If possible, get to know your team and key stakeholders before your first day. Matt’s pre-onboarding efforts gave him a head start, letting him understand GovExec’s unique structure and build rapport with his team early.
• Adapt to New Business Models with a Strategic Mindset: Shifting from a single business model to one with diverse revenue streams taught Matt the importance of agility. When moving into a new organization, take time to understand the full business landscape, especially if it’s different from your previous experience.
• Lead Beyond Finance: Today’s CFO role often includes overseeing functions like IT or even HR. Embrace this as an opportunity to broaden your impact and think cross-functionally—balancing operational controls with business growth, as Matt highlights, is key for driving value.
• Set a Clear Vision and Bring Energy to the Team: Establishing early clarity around goals can motivate your team. Even if results take time, an aligned and energized team can tackle challenges with more confidence and focus.

Listen to the full episode to learn more ??

The Bottom Line

The first 90 days in any new role can set the tone for long-term success. Matt’s story shows us that the most powerful moves often happen behind the scenes: building relationships, prioritizing strategic goals, and understanding how to empower the team.

About My Special Guest

Matt Ziegler is a seasoned finance leader with a background in FP&A and a track record of managing finance, IT, and operations across various industries. His first CFO role was in hospitality tech, where he spent four years. Matt is now 90 days into his second CFO role at GovExec (At the time of the interview), and manages finance, sales ops, and IT.

Notes to Younger Self

Dear Younger Me,

Starting a new role can be overwhelming, and it’s tempting to jump right in and prove yourself through results alone. But remember, success isn’t just about moving fast; it’s about moving smart. So, always make time to listen, pause, and reflect.

With love,

Me

Now, Your Turn!

When starting a new role, how do you balance the need to deliver quick wins with the importance of understanding the team and the business?

Hi, I'm Wassia (pronounced Wa-see-ya)

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