There are many skills that a leader needs, financial knowledge being one of them. According to Blazo Gjorev, financial knowledge contributes to a leader making smart choices in the workplace. Leaders with financial knowledge always analyze how certain decisions will impact the day-to-day running of the business. In addition, it promotes communication with stakeholders and makes leaders more competent and confident in their roles. Here is how financial knowledge makes one a better leader.

Good Use Of Resources

One of the challenges that businesses face is the scarcity of resources. That means making good use of the little that is available. Whether you want to invest in a simple printer or get into a new market, you need to build a business case. If you understand how cash flows through the business, you will easily show why that particular investment will bring in returns. For instance, if it is getting into a new market, what makes location A better than location B. Weighing options ensures that resources are put to the best possible use.

Easily Meet The Needs Of The Workers

Financially literate leaders will respond to and satisfy the needs of their employees using the available resources. Blazo Gjorev says that through in-depth financial knowledge and good budgeting techniques, a leader will know how to share resources equitably to meet the needs and goals of the workers.

Ability To Forecast

To determine the current worthiness of assets and projects, Blazo Gjorev says that one needs to examine how certain issues may change in the coming months or years. Financially savvy leaders aim to make decisions that benefit the company both in the short term and long term. They use the data available and assumptions to forecast outcomes. They will weigh the benefits and drawbacks of projects using various factors like existing earnings metrics to calculate whether the project will still be viable in the future.

Assess The Financial Health Of A Company

One of the advantages of financially literate leaders is that they understand financial statements. This is a much-needed skill as it allows one to make solid decisions. To evaluate how a department or business is doing, there are three financial statements that one needs to know how to read and interpret. That is the

• Balance sheet: A statement showing the financial position of a business at a particular time.
• Cash flow statement: A report showing how much cash the business has generated over a certain period.
• Income statement: A report summarizing the company’s earnings minus expenses over a particular time.

A leader that understands the data in these reports is in a better position to know the current financial position of the company.

Blazo Gjorev recommends all leaders work on their financial skills. The world is changing and it is not just enough to keep making decisions using the knowledge you had a few years ago, he adds, You also have to keep up with financial trends if you want to become a better leader.

Read books, attend seminars and listen to financial gurus. You will be in a better position to lead the company in the right direction.