The CFO playbook for leading through turbulent times

Being a CFO has never been easy.

But right now, it’s more demanding than ever.

Tariffs, inflation, new regulatory pressures – the playing field keeps shifting, and expectations are rising just as fast. Still, many finance leaders are finding ways not just to cope, but to turn today’s challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

The latest insights from our “Finance Leadership Panel” – featuring top European CFOs and finance executives – reveal how successful leaders are turning uncertainty into strategic advantage. In this post, you’ll discover practical, battle-tested strategies to help you lead with confidence through turbulent times.

 

About the Lucanet Finance Leadership Panel 2025

We invited a panel of 35 European CFOs and finance leaders to discuss today's business realities and identify new strategies for building resilience, creating value, and demonstrating confident leadership. To contextualize and validate their responses, we compared them with the latest research from third-party analysts, such as IDC. You can download the full report for free here:

 

Get Finance Leadership Panel Report

 

How CFOs are turning economic challenges into action

60% of our expert panel view the current economic climate as negative or very negative. 

They are not only dealing with volatility due to tariffs and trade conflicts; they are also facing rising costs, inefficiencies, and increasing regulatory complexity.

But they aren't burying their heads in the sand.

Many are shifting their mindset and turning uncertainty into a catalyst for rapid adjustments.

So, what are the three areas where most of the action is happening?

 

Spotlight 1: Agility is key when it comes to planning

Gone are the days of static, annual budgets.

Today's CFOs use rolling, driver-based forecasts combined with sophisticated scenario planning to allow real-time responses to shifting economic realities. Rather than preparing generic "best-case" and "worst-case" scenarios, agile CFOs build targeted micro-scenarios that reflect real issues, such as tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating energy costs. This allows them to quickly adjust supply chain footprints, pricing strategies, and regional investments, positioning their organizations to respond proactively and maintain stability.

 

Spotlight 2: CFOs take the lead with AI

Not so long ago, generative AI was considered an experiment by many finance teams. Today, however, it’s a leading topic in CFO meetings and boardroom discussions.

IDC reports that 96% of finance departments are now using or piloting AI tools, and over half of them believe that AI will reshape their role more than any other force within the next five years. 

The digital transformation wave is reshaping finance functions, with 66% of our expert finance leaders prioritizing automation and AI initiatives. While automation starts with repetitive, data-heavy tasks such as invoice reconciliation and expense management, forward-thinking CFOs recognize AI's strategic potential.

For example, AI transforms forecasting from a periodic chore into a continuous, dynamic capability by running multiple scenarios simultaneously. This not only saves time, but also drives business resilience by enabling faster and smarter decision-making in an unpredictable world.

Spotlight 3: The CFO as “Chief Value Officer” 

Finance roles have dramatically expanded, with over 50% of CFOs now also overseeing HR, IT, and ESG initiatives, according to IDC. 

Today's finance leaders aren't just number crunchers; they serve as strategic integrators, connecting finance to every organizational function. While few hold the formal title, the CFO as “Chief Value Officer” is now reality.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have emerged as critical CFO priorities. Rather than treating ESG as mere compliance, leading CFOs recognize that high ESG performance translates into tangible financial benefits, including better credit conditions and stronger investor confidence. The most proactive finance leaders leverage ESG strategies to build trust, enhance their brand, and foster sustainable growth.

Further, CFOs are breaking down organizational silos, creating integrated views across HR, operations, sales, and ESG data. This comprehensive perspective transforms finance from a passive reporter into an active strategist, setting the pace for informed, holistic decision-making across the enterprise.

 

Unlock more insights – grab our CFO playbook

Curious how leading finance professionals use data-driven insights to improve their planning? Want to see where AI is having the greatest impact — and where concerns still lie? Interested in how they're achieving alignment between finance, ESG, HR, and operations?

Download our full “Finance Leadership Panel” to dive deeper into the real strategies, tools, and mindsets behind the most forward-thinking finance teams:

 

Get Finance Leadership Panel Report

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