Beyond the Spreadsheet: The Unexpectedly Human Side of Finance

Wondering if success in finance is all about numbers and spreadsheets? Think again. While technical expertise is certainly important, the human element—communication, empathy, and relationship-building—often makes the difference between good and exceptional finance professionals. Let's explore how these soft skills create tremendous value in the financial world, drawing from the insights of professionals who've leveraged these abilities to advance their careers.

The Surprising Power of People Skills

For many finance professionals, soft skills prove to be career-defining attributes. As Zach, an Assistant Vice President at a Fortune 100 bank, emphasizes: "What really gets you up the ladder, and gets you those promotions, and really helps you excel, is when you get along with your coworkers. You can speak to senior leadership, you can speak to those around you, you can speak to those below you."

Building Relationships That Matter

Relationships are the foundation of success in finance, often determining your ability to navigate complex situations and advance professionally. Rebecca, a Director of Strategic Partnerships at a fintech climate start-up, highlights this fundamental truth: "People are people are people... At its core, that is really what has gotten me to where I'm at."

Rebecca's approach to building rapport is refreshingly simple yet effective: "When people feel safe and they light up about something, it will actually take you back to business." This human-first approach helps create authentic connections that ultimately benefit professional interactions.

Communication as a Competitive Advantage

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively—especially across different audiences—is invaluable in finance. Eric, a Corporate & Investment Banking Managing Director at Wells Fargo, identifies communication as his most essential skill: "In my role, it's all about communication... Start a hundred percent listening. As I say, you got two ears, one mouth."

He elaborates on the importance of not simply verbal communication, but "written communication that is succinct, clear, concise. Anybody can write a ten page paper, but to write it in four pages is harder, right?" These communication skills help finance professionals translate complex ideas into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

The Empathy Edge

Understanding different perspectives and adapting your approach accordingly is crucial in finance. Zach emphasizes the importance of this adaptability: "The biggest universal skill I'd highlight [is] really those soft skills. Just being able to influence, being able to talk to different groups of people, [being able] to get people to like you in different situations."

Networking: Your Most Valuable Asset

Building and maintaining professional relationships extends beyond immediate colleagues. Zoe, a Vice President at Compass Diversified, advises: "Always network. Be open to meeting new people and hearing their stories; it's the people before you who paved the way." She emphasizes the importance of learning from others and approaching networking with humility.

Rebecca reinforces this perspective when discussing her approach to overcoming networking challenges early in her career, at a time when she thought, "I'm new. I don't even know what to ask you, so I'm just going to ask you what you had for breakfast and see where that goes." This authentic curiosity helped her build meaningful connections that advanced her career.

Key Soft Skills for Finance Success

• Strong interpersonal communication

• Empathy and perspective-taking

• Relationship-building and networking

• Adaptability when working with diverse stakeholders

• Influence without authority

• Active listening

  
  

Developing Your Human Edge

The consensus among finance professionals is clear: technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills help you advance. As Zach notes, "Folks are constantly coming to us with self-development questions." He explains that "sometimes just being able to help them out" is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work in finance.

Looking Ahead

As you plan your finance career, remember that spreadsheets and financial models are just tools. The true value you bring is your ability to work with people, communicate effectively, and build relationships that foster trust and collaboration.

Whether you're considering your first finance role or looking to advance in your current position, investing in your soft skills may provide the greatest return on investment for your long-term career success.

The path to finance leadership often depends as much on your people skills as your technical abilities. From building professional networks to communicating complex ideas clearly, soft skills provide the foundation for a successful transition from individual contributor to influential finance leader.

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Want to learn more about how your specific background could translate into a career path? Visit us at Advize for more insights from successful, relatable professionals sharing real information to help.

If you ever want to reach out for help, advice or networking, shoot us an email at hello@advizehub.com or message us on Slack!

Wishing you success,

Emily McSherry

Founder & CEO