As the CFO role continues to evolve, continuous learning has become increasingly essential to leadership. Beiersdorf FD Funlola Pearce, Irembo head of finance Randa Rugangazi, and BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green reveal the podcasts that challenge how they think and lead.
Many CFOs draw the ideas that shape their thinking from outside the office, often turning to podcasts for perspectives that offer clarity or challenge their assumptions,.These conversations offer a way to stay grounded in the face of demanding work environments. And although each one has different tastes, the common thread is the desire for continuous learning.
BasiGo CFO Jonathan Green often begins with global news before switching to content that stretches his thinking. The routine fits his rhythm and offers ideas that help him tackle the demands of his work. As BasiGo scales its electric bus operations across the region, Jonathan is keen to gain insights into navigating the strategic and operational shifts that come with growth.
"I listen to 'The Economist' and 'The Daily', but they're very easy to burn through. So when I have reached the end of those, I love 'WorkLife' by Adam Grant. 'HBR Strategy' is also really fun. And then 'Planet Money' as well. So it's mostly news, but a bit of business in there as well. Most of my podcasting is done when I'm running," he says.
Beiersdorf FD Funlola Pearce, on the other hand, enjoys podcasts that feel honest and unfiltered. She prefers to listen to content that explores mental wellness and how people show up at work. Her picks top include authors and business leaders. She also enjoys cultural commentary.
"I like 'Diary of a CEO' because it feels like you are having a meaningful conversation with someone. I also like 'On Purpose' by Jay Shetty. I used to love 'Jesus and Jollof' with Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi but I think it’s done now. And there is 'Therapy for Black Girls' as well," she says.
For Funlola, the right podcast offers a form of quiet alignment and a way to make sense of the world around her.
"A lot of the time, I am thinking through how to navigate systems in a way that works for me. So, I listen to those that resonate with where I am. Sometimes I just want to hear someone else’s voice saying what I’ve been thinking," Funlola says.
Irembo head of finance Randa Rugangazi uses podcasts as tools. He looks for conversations that improve his critical thinking and analyse business models. His listening is deliberate and tied to his work at Irembo, which offers Rwandan citizens and residents access to government services online.
"There’s one called 'The Knowledge Project' by Shane Parrish. It’s one of the best for anyone trying to improve the quality of their thinking. He brings people who are experts in different areas, and they talk about how they think, how they make decisions, how they structure their days. I also listen to 'The Game' by Alex Hormozi. That one is very tactical, very business focused. It's useful if you want to build your own business or understand how other businesses are structured. It helps me learn how decisions are made and what people consider when they are scaling. It’s different from just reading theory or listening to surface-level advice." he says.
Randa pairs these with technical reading and uses the content to test his assumptions. As the pace of digitisation in Rwanda quickens, Randa is incorporating these insights into his toolkit. His playlist features interviews, business, and current affairs.
"There’s also one called 'Acquired'. It’s basically about businesses and how they were built from scratch to scale. I listen to that to understand business models and market entry strategies. I also like 'The Journal' by the Wall Street Journal because it helps me stay current on business news and how decisions play out. I try to learn every day, because you never know when you’ll need that information or that insight. Sometimes you’ll be faced with a problem and something you heard or learned just clicks. It’s about staying ready and open to new ways of thinking," Randa says.
