It Takes Guts to Grow: Building the Confidence to Lead with Financial Intelligence
What if the biggest thing holding your business back… isn’t your numbers—it’s your mindset about them?
As a strategic business coach, I’ve worked with business owners across many industries—and I’ve noticed something consistent: The leaders who make bold, forward-focused decisions aren’t always the most experienced. They’re the most confident.
And that confidence isn’t blind optimism—it’s built on clarity. Clarity into their numbers. Clarity into their strategy. Clarity into what comes next.
That’s why I teach from a flexible framework built around 7 business levers—because business success isn’t about doing everything. It’s about knowing what lever to pull—and when.
Here’s a quick look at the framework:
Right People – Do you have the team to support your mission?
Right Blueprint – Is your structure built for where you're going?
Right Systems – Are your operations helping or hindering growth?
Right Clarity – Do your numbers give you insight or just anxiety?
Right Roadmap – Are you leading with intention or reacting in real time?
Right Cadence – Is your team running with rhythm or sprinting toward burnout?
Right Confidence – Are you making decisions from a place of fear—or grounded clarity?
Let’s talk about that last one: Right Confidence.
Why This Matters
According to a U.S. Bank study, 82% of small business failures are due to cash flow problems—yet many of those owners were making decisions based on emotion or instinct, not financial insight.
And a QuickBooks survey revealed that 60% of business owners say they don’t fully understand their financial reports—which leads to hesitation, missed opportunities, and second-guessing.
This lever turns financial literacy into leadership courage. Growth always starts with mindset.
A Coaching Moment
One of my clients—a talented service-based business owner—came to me completely overwhelmed by her finances. She avoided her P&L and made hiring and pricing decisions based on what “felt possible.”
We started small: reviewed her income sources, cleaned up her cost structure, and created a cash forecast. And I’ll never forget what she said after our third session: “For the first time, I’m not scared to look at my numbers. I feel like I’m actually in control.”
That shift—from avoidance to ownership—that’s the Confidence Lever in action.
3 Ways to Build Confidence with Financial Intelligence
Start with One Number Don’t try to master everything. Choose one metric (like gross profit or cash on hand) and learn what it means—and why it matters.
Practice a Weekly CEO Check-In Block 30 minutes to review key numbers, even if it’s just revenue, expenses, and cash flow. Repetition builds confidence.
Ask Better Questions Move from “Can I afford this?” to “Will this decision support long-term margin and momentum?” Mindset drives clarity.
Final Thought
The future you—the one your business is quietly asking for—isn’t avoiding the numbers. They’re using them to lead.
Because confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with.
It’s something you build—by seeing clearly, deciding boldly, and leading with courage rooted in clarity.
What decision are you hesitating on right now—and what number would give you the clarity to move forward with confidence?
Ready to start making decisions with more clarity and confidence? In my book Rise Above Your Business: Knowing the Story of Your Numbers, I show you how to think like a CFO—so you can build financial confidence, stop second-guessing, and lead your business like the future CEO you're becoming.
