In this powerful episode of #BeyondtheLedger, I sit down with Melinda Lawrence, a former EY audit partner turned growth-focused CFO, to talk about what really happens when you step into #executiveleadership for the first time.
Melinda shares the moment that defined her transition — sitting in a planning meeting as a brand-new CFO when the CEO asked her opinion on compensation design… and realizing she had never built a comp plan before. That honest “I don’t know” moment became a defining leadership lesson.
From managing audit projects to leading full departments, navigating systems transformations, and building high-performing teams, Melinda opens up about the realities of executive growth — including burnout, self-awareness, feedback, and leading through change.
If you’re wondering what it truly takes to move from technical expert to executive leader, this conversation breaks it down with humility, candor, and decades of real-world experience.
🎧 Whether you’re a CFO, aspiring executive, finance leader, or high-performing manager preparing for your next step, you’ll walk away with practical wisdom you can apply immediately.
👉 Topics include:
• The difference between managing projects and leading departments
• Why saying “I don’t know” builds credibility
• Designing comp plans, onboarding leaders, and hiring the right team
• Real-time feedback vs. annual performance reviews
• Avoiding burnout in the C-suite
• Building community through the CFO Leadership Council
• Learning to do hard things — including moving overseas
• Leading with authenticity and vulnerability
🎯 Key Quote:
“It’s better to say ‘I don’t know’ than to pretend you do.”
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – The Comp Plan Moment That Changed Everything
02:30 – From EY Partner to First-Time CFO
06:45 – You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
10:20 – Leading Departments vs. Audit Teams
15:10 – Hiring the Right Leaders (And Checking References)
20:00 – Building a Strong Onboarding Plan
25:30 – Why Feedback Shouldn’t Be Formal
30:15 – Burnout, Self-Awareness & C-Suite Pressure
35:00 – Moving to Paris and Doing Hard Things
40:00 – The Importance of Community in Leadership
Subscribe for more leadership conversations that go far beyond the numbers.
👉 You can also watch the full episode here:
MarketScale
https://marketscale.com/industries/beyond-the-ledger/from-public-accounting-to-cfo-the-leadership-wake-up-call/
🎧 Listen now:
@Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-public-accounting-to-cfo-the-leadership-wake-up-call/id1843448325?i=1000751387243
@Spotify
Connect with us:
Melinda Lawrence on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-lawrence/
Southwest Airlines on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/southwest-airlines/
Troy Ashby on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyashby/
Troy Knows Talent Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/troyknowstalent/
Troy Knows Talent Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/troyknowstalent/
