Fight Club & Female Leaders: Melanie Mills on Redefining Leadership
“Diverse perspectives don’t slow teams down — they make them unstoppable.”
In this episode, Chris and Mike are joined by Melanie Mills, CEO of Connection Career Collective (CCC) and ex-Chief Revenue Officer of Caxton Payments, for a conversation that packs a punch. From her high-energy “Fight Club” workouts to her mission of helping women and allies thrive in business, Melanie talks about what modern leadership really looks like — and why it’s time to redefine it.
They explore how diverse perspectives drive performance, why so many leaders still shy away from accountability, and what it means to be a “reluctant leader” in today’s fast-changing workplace. Melanie opens up about her journey from retail to fintech, the power of mentorship, and her obsession with lifelong learning — not as an event, but as a daily habit.
Together, they unpack how purpose, people, and curiosity fuel progress — and why the best leaders aren’t always the loudest in the room.
Author
“Chris Argent isn’t here to play by finance’s old rulebook - he’s here to rewrite it.” From challenging outdated corporate thinking to rallying finance leaders around a more connected, adaptable future, the founder of GENCFO is leading a quiet revolution in how CFOs and finance leadership work, think, and influence. Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO, is a finance leader redefining the role beyond business partnering. A self-described “reluctant accountant,” he’s built a global community for progressive accounting and finance leaders who value connection over competition and action over tradition. Chris believes the greatest risk to the profession is clinging to outdated norms, and that mindset and adaptability outpace any technological change. His work champions leaders who turn new ideas into real-world change, blending people-centred strategies with new ways of working and technology. In conversations, he challenges, provokes, and inspires - proving that the future of finance belongs to those ready to lead it together.