Lessons from my journey as an in-house finance leader
When I reflect on my time as an in-house finance leader, one of the most surprising insights isn’t about systems, processes, or spreadsheets —it’s how critical it became to stay plugged into the right conversations beyond the four walls of the company.
For many finance professionals, social media feels like something “extra,” something peripheral. But I realised early on that strategic consumption of content on platforms like LinkedIn was not just useful — it was essential.
In this article, the first of two, we’ll unpack how I approached reactive social media use, why it matters for in-house finance professionals, and how you can start shifting your own habits to support your professional growth.
What is reactive social media use?
Reactive social media use means focusing on what you consume, who you follow, and how you engage as a reader or observer — rather than as a content creator. It’s about using platforms like LinkedIn or Newsletters as a learning, discovery, and awareness tool: absorbing insights, monitoring trends, and tapping into valuable conversations that help you grow as a professional, even if you never post a single thing yourself.
Why reactive social media use matters
In-house finance leaders sit at the crossroads of multiple pressures: they need to guide financial strategy, align with executive leadership, keep pace with regulatory and market changes, and increasingly, embrace new technologies like AI. Staying ahead isn’t just about reading internal reports — it’s about absorbing the broader context shaping the world of finance.
I credit much of my own strategic growth to the inputs I consumed — the articles, updates, thought leadership posts, and peer conversations that helped me sharpen my thinking.
I didn’t need to post every day. I didn’t need to build a huge personal following.
But I did need to:
- Follow the right people.
- Tune into the right conversations.
- Filter the noise effectively.
In short: I needed a smart, curated social media feed that served my development as a finance leader.
Breaking Isolation: Finding community through social media
In-house finance leadership can often feel like a lonely path. Without the built-in networks and peer interactions of large firms or advisory roles, many finance leaders find themselves isolated, missing out on the kinds of idea exchange and learning that fuel professional growth. I experienced this firsthand — moving from Deloitte, where learning and connection felt like being back at university, to Fever-Tree, where stepping into an in-house role brought a surprising sense of solitude. For me, social media became a vital bridge: a way to reconnect with a broader finance community, tap into shared experiences, and access the learning and growth opportunities that might otherwise have felt out of reach. Platforms like LinkedIn offered not just content, but connection — helping break the isolation and keeping me plugged into a dynamic, evolving professional landscape.
The First Mindset Shift: Social media as a professional tool
One of the first shifts I made was rethinking how I viewed social media platforms like LinkedIn and Newsletters.
For many in-house professionals, LinkedIn is something you update when you’re job-hunting or when a recruiter pings you. But I began treating it as an ongoing professional tool — like a digital conference or industry journal that’s always open.
By intentionally consuming LinkedIn content, I was able to:
- Spot early signals on emerging technologies impacting finance.
- Learn from how peers at other companies were handling similar challenges.
- Stay informed on regulatory updates or market shifts.
- Get exposed to new frameworks for thinking about leadership, strategy, and team dynamics.
This wasn’t about mindless scrolling. It was about purposeful, targeted learning.
Practical Action #1: Curate who you follow
My first piece of advice: be ruthless in curating your network and feed.
That means:
In other words, don’t just accept every connection request or let the algorithm decide what you see. Take control and build a feed that works for you.
Practical Action #2: Identify the conversations that matter
Next, I recommend identifying the core conversations that are most relevant to your role, your company, and your industry.
For example:
- If you’re a multi-entity finance leader, follow discussions on intercompany accounting and consolidation.
- If you’re experimenting with AI tools, join communities or follow experts sharing practical use cases.
- If you’re scaling a team, engage with content on leadership, talent, and operational scaling.
I found that by aligning my feed to the conversations that mattered most, I could stay informed without getting overwhelmed — because my attention was focused on what truly impacted my work.
Practical Action #3: Create a sustainable consumption habit
Finally, I'd like to emphasise the importance of routine.
Rather than trying to consume everything, I set aside specific times in my week — for example, 15 minutes each morning or a focused hour on Friday afternoons — to scan my feed, bookmark relevant articles, or note down insights to bring to my leadership discussions.
This habit allowed me to stay connected without falling into the trap of endless scrolling or constant notifications.
What’s next
In the next article, I’ll dive deeper into how I used reactive social media consumption to spark action — how the insights I gathered online translated into better decision-making, stronger leadership, and meaningful professional growth.
For now, the takeaway is clear:
Being a great in-house finance leader today isn’t just about mastering the internal numbers — it’s about building an external radar that keeps you sharp, informed, and adaptable.
Social media, when used strategically, can be one of your most powerful tools for that.
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