216: Why The CFO Should Lead Your AI Transformation | Tariq Munir

Update: 2025-09-18

Description

In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Damon welcomes digital transformation leader Tariq Munir to demystify what it really takes to future-proof your business in the age of AI. Drawing from his impressive background leading transformations at giants like PwC and PepsiCo, Tariq reveals why successful change is less about technology—and all about people, mindset, and culture. Together, they uncover the keys to becoming an AI-ready organization, share actionable strategies from Tariq’s new book Reimagine Finance, and explain why finance teams are uniquely positioned to drive game-changing innovation. Whether you’re a CFO, people leader, or aspiring digital change agent, this episode is a playbook for leading transformation that lasts.

From navigating automation bias to fostering a growth mindset, you’ll learn real-world tactics that move your organization beyond buzzwords—and into continuous improvement. Plus, Tariq delivers hard-won advice for anyone ready to shift from back-office number cruncher to strategic business partner.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why mindset (not just technology) is the true driver of sustainable digital transformation
Tariq’s definition of “AI readiness” (and why big budgets aren’t required to start)
The five principles from Tariq’s transformation playbook that every finance leader should know
How to overcome common traps like automation bias and the “highest paid person in the room” effect
Why today’s top CFOs are moving beyond accounting to become change agents and business co-pilots
The skills and career experiences future leaders will need to thrive in the era of constant change

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why behavior and mindset matter most in transformation

00:26 – Welcome and Tariq’s intro & background

01:43 – Transformation isn’t about tech—mindset and culture come first

03:16 – What does “AI ready” actually mean for organizations?

07:46 – Tariq’s journey and why finance is ripe for innovation

11:23 – Blueprint: Building a new finance organization from scratch

12:55 – Lessons learned (and assumptions challenged) from writing his book

15:35 – Tariq’s five-principle transformation playbook

16:38 – Two questions every leader asks about change

21:03 – Why it’s critical to start with “why”—not just action

23:31 – The unique vantage point of CFOs and why they should lead transformation

29:01 – The rising importance of critical thinking

30:19 – Parsing automation bias and urgency traps

33:19 – Balancing gut instinct with a data-driven discipline

36:16 – How to keep the “highest paid person in the room” from hijacking innovation

38:51 – From “I” and “T” profiles to “M” profiles—future leader development

48:20 – The one section of the book everyone should read

50:27 – How to instantly boost your confidence and become a translator between business and technology

51:36 – The evolving CFO: Finance + operations in the next 2-3 years

53:25 – Final advice: Shift from a victim mentality to an ownership mindset with AI

57:43 – Where to find Tariq Munir and Reimagine Finance

About Tariq Munir

Tariq Munir is a digital transformation expert with over 20 years’ experience guiding global companies—including PwC, AkzoNobel, and PepsiCo—in harnessing data and artificial intelligence to drive profit, boost efficiency, and spark organizational change. After rising through finance roles at multinationals, Tariq now focuses on helping CFOs and business leaders elevate from transactional thinking to strategic transformation. His approach: blending deep domain expertise with a passion for developing people and culture as the real sources of sustainable advantage. He is the author of Reimagine Finance: The CFO’s Leadership Playbook for the Age of AI, Data, and Digital.

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