Busy treasurers? Is that a tautology? Oh, all right. We know you’re all run off your feet. That’s why we asked Michelle Dovey, Director, MJD Treasury Solutions Ltd and NED, Optivo, to share her top tips for leading a rich and fulfilling career, even when you’re time-poor.
1. Prioritise efficiency
Every evening before going home, write down the top three things that you need to get done the next day. Learn the art of delegation, empower your people and trust them to deliver. Use electronic filing and note-taking systems or apps, to make it quicker and easier to find things on the go.
2. Be smart about productivity
Do the task that you least want to do first thing in the morning, it will stop you procrastinating all day about it. Remember that it is your choice to answer the phone or respond to an email. If you are busy working on something, don’t be afraid to switch everything off; set up a separate ring tone for your urgent contacts (like your boss) so you know when you must answer.
3. Manage your stress
Have a stress reliever activity outside of work – whether it be sport, yoga, meditation, or some other kind of hobby. Make time for it, mental wellbeing is important. Keep things in perspective; the world will not end if you make a mistake or miss a deadline, just learn from it and move on. Surround yourself with supportive people in and outside of work.
4. Be a great leader
Make sure you act in an authentic way that shows your true personality. Give your team the confidence and space to give honest feedback and share their concerns. Always have their back – no matter what. Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability. People will respect you for it. And the more they respect you, the happier they’ll be to go the extra mile for you.
5. Manage upwards
Create communication channels that suit your manager, whether that be face-to-face, a weekly report, or email etc. A good tip is to under-promise, so your manager will always know that you will deliver. Finally, be honest and open about your working style and what suits you best – relationships are a two-way street.
Have any treasury ‘life hacks’ of your own you’d like to share? If so, please email
