The Art of Storytelling for CFOs
Use AI Storytelling Prompt to influence the CEO and stakeholders
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES
For 40 years, the CFO role was defined by old-school routines.
But the modern CFO must turn raw data into engaging stories that do 3 things:
Drive strategy
Inspire your team
Influence decision-makers
After speaking with modern CFOs and studying the methods of top consultancies like McKinsey and Deloitte, one thing is clear:
CFOs must master storytelling to influence the CEO and stakeholders.
Yet, most CFOs continue to rely on dry reports and standard charts. They say:
“Here are the numbers.”
“Revenue grew 5% year-over-year.”
“Operating margins improved 200 basis points.”
Where’s the narrative?
Where’s the execution strategy?
Today, AI, automation, and new frameworks are reshaping how we share financial insights. Below are actionable frameworks, AI prompts, and techniques to master the art of storytelling.
So, you can go beyond numbers and lead change.
1. The Art of Storytelling
Traditional financial reporting often bombards your audience with dense data and complex jargon. Stakeholders might see a long list of numbers and ask, “So what?” Instead, storytelling turns raw data into a clear, engaging message that answers:
Why do these numbers matter?
What is the real-world impact?
What actions should we take next?
Try this approach:
1. Define the Narrative: What matters most?
Cut through the data noise to uncover the real story. Focus on business impact and stakeholder value.
Bad CFO: Our burn rate increased by 20%. We need to cut costs.
Great CFO: We’re spending like we have unlimited cash. At this rate, we’ll be out of money in 18 months. Let’s fix it now so we don’t have to make desperate decisions later.
The great CFO explains why the number matters, highlights the impact, and sets the stage for action.
2. Structure Your Message: How to present it?
Start with your main conclusion, then back it up with evidence. Make complex data clear and actionable.
Bad CFO: Operating margins increased by 200 basis points.
Great CFO: “Our cost controls boosted margins by 200 basis points, freeing up cash that we are now reinvesting in innovation to stay ahead of competitors.”
Start with the bottom line, then explain the evidence that supports your conclusion.
3. Support Your Story: What proves your point?
Use key metrics, trends, and benchmarks that decision-makers care about.
Bad CFO: Revenue grew 5% year-over-year.
Great CFO: Our 5% revenue growth not only outpaced the industry average by 2% but also provided us with extra funds that will be used to launch a new product line this quarter.
Provide real data and context to show the impact and relevance of the metrics.
4. Drive Action: What’s next?
Present clear recommendations with specific steps and measurable outcomes.
Bad CFO: We need to reduce costs.
Great CFO: Let’s cut non-essential expenses by 15% over the next quarter and redirect these savings into a strategic initiative that targets a 10% increase in market share within a year.
Your narrative must conclude with actionable recommendations that guide immediate and measurable action.
But remember: even the best story falls flat with bad data. Integrity and accuracy must drive every number.
Clean data first. Clear story second. Strategic decisions last.
Back in 2007, with CXO Software, we introduced financial storytelling.
Long before the industry realized its value. Companies bought our platform because traditional finance systems (Close, FP&A, etc.) failed to turn financials into actionable insights.
Most vendors slap a few pie charts on a dashboard and call it a day. We took a different approach.
We focused on storytelling, turning complex financial data into clear, compelling narratives that drive decisions. Now, FP&A tools are finally catching up. Financial storytelling is becoming a core feature, shifting FP&A from number-crunchers to storytellers.
AI is pushing this further.
With the right prompts, AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini can transform financial data into structured, insightful stories.
Imagine feeding variance explanations and analyst commentary into AI and getting a polished, engaging financial summary in seconds.
Turn numbers into a story that drives action and watch your growth skyrocket.
Side note for new readers: I'm the co-founder of CXO Software (exit 2018) and former head of M&A at insightsoftware. I have worked with FP&A companies for the past 25 years. As a consultant, salesperson, entrepreneur, M&A executive and investor.
2. Real-Time Frameworks: Lessons from McKinsey and Deloitte
Top firms use proven frameworks to craft narratives that stick. Here are 2 methods you can adopt today:
A. The SCQA Framework (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer)
Situation: Set the stage with current performance.
Example: Our revenue has grown steadily this quarter.Complication: Introduce a challenge or change.
Example: However, rising costs have squeezed our margins.Question: Pose the key issue.
Example: How can we maintain growth while improving efficiency?Answer: Provide your solution.
Example: By investing in automation and smarter cost controls, we can reverse this trend.
B. The Classic Narrative Arc (Beginning, Middle, End)
Beginning: Start with the context or problem.
Example: In a rapidly changing market, our traditional cost controls aren’t enough.Middle: Explain your strategy or intervention.
Example: We implemented AI-driven forecasting to optimize our expense management.End: Conclude with the outcome and call to action.
Example: As a result, our margins improved and we’re better positioned for future growth.
3. Turn AI into Your Strategic Storytelling Advisor
Use this prompt to guide the AI in delivering high-level strategic advice combined with practical storytelling techniques. The aim is to equip CFOs with the confidence and skills to become powerful communicators who consistently win support from CEOs, boards, and the entire organization.
Prompt
Objective
My goal is to become a CFO who uses storytelling to drive influence, buy-in, and growth. I want to:
Speak the language of CEOs and stakeholders so they understand and trust my financial insights.
Craft narratives that turn data into decisions and inspire action across the organization.
Integrate AI tools to help generate compelling financial stories and visuals.
Develop the confidence to present bold strategies and gain immediate buy-in.
Measure the impact of my storytelling on real business outcomes (e.g., successful funding, strategic pivots, cultural alignment).
Files I’m Uploading for Context:
Financial Statements (Annual/quarterly reports, P&L, balance sheets)
KPIs & Dashboards (current performance metrics)
Past Presentations (board decks, investor updates)
Strategic Documents (long-term plans, CEO memos)
Market Research (competitor analysis, industry benchmarks)
Desired Response Format
For each response, please provide:
Brutal Truth: The hard realities of where I stand now and what I need to fix.
Actionable Strategies: Clear, step-by-step methods, frameworks, or scripts to elevate my storytelling.
Psychological Insights: Suggestions on mindset shifts—how I should think or behave differently to command respect and trust.
Expected Outcomes: What I can realistically achieve if I follow your guidance (e.g., CEO buy-in, board alignment, cross-functional cooperation).
Example Questions I Might Ask You
“How can I structure my next board presentation to highlight key insights in under five minutes?”
“Which emotional hooks or analogies work best when explaining our new revenue model to non-finance stakeholders?”
“How do I handle pushback when the CEO questions our assumptions?”
“What AI tools and prompts can I use to turn raw data into a clear, scrolling presentation that reads like a story?”
“How do I measure whether my storytelling approach actually increases buy-in or speeds up decision-making?”
End Goal:
I want to transform from a data-centric CFO into a compelling storyteller who influences top executives, aligns teams, and drives the business forward with clear, impactful financial narratives.
—
Use this prompt and set yourself up for data-driven storytelling that not only clarifies your financial insights but also motivates real change.
Give it a try and watch how quickly your influence grows.
The Bottom Line
Storytelling is the most powerful skill in finance.
The best CFOs use storytelling to:
Simplify Complex Data
Turn dense reports into clear, compelling narratives.
Drive Strategic Decisions
Connect financial performance to actionable business strategy.
Inspire and Align
Engage stakeholders by explaining not just what happened, but why it matters and what comes next.
If you’re still delivering dry financial reports, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Use storytelling as a strategic tool. Use proven frameworks, leverage AI to generate narrative drafts, upload the right documents for context, and refine your language with practical “say this, not that” techniques.
Your data tells a story.
Make sure it’s one that drives decisions and creates value.
P.S. Read: Imagine it’s 2035. Finance teams are gone.
Side note: I'd love to help you get ahead with data. Complete this tiny survey.
I’m Wouter Born. A CFOTech investor, advisor and entrepreneur.
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