Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, OneTrust’s CFO, Doug Owens, shares his morning routine.
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OneTrust
- AI governance platform
- Year founded: 2016
- Number of employees: 2,000
How do you structure your first few hours after you log on at work? I have an hour blocked out in the morning to go around the office and catch up with people from different teams, get to know them and hear about their work. As leaders, our biggest assets are our people. I take this time to strengthen connections and stay close to the pulse of the business.
Tell us about a recent morning where things didn’t go according to plan, and how you adapted: There’s no “normal” day in my house — every day is different since my wife and I both have demanding schedules. But being a CFO keeps me on my toes, and I like it that way. Sometimes you wake up to a fire drill, but I believe it’s all about how you handle it, so I choose positivity.
What is your favorite quote or mantra? Stay positive!
Can you share your favorite leadership lesson? Give grace and don’t be reactive. Great leaders aren’t always quick to judge; they take a beat to assess the situation and acknowledge we’re all human.
Who is the most influential/famous person you’ve ever met? Robert Smith, the founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Today it has over $110 billion in assets under management. I learned so much about leadership from my time working with him, and I continue to be inspired by his humility.
What is something important to know about you that you wouldn’t know from your business bio? Before I went into finance, I had a job milking 150 dairy cows twice a day.
What was the last job you did at your company that fell outside your traditional scope of work? I’ve never been a traditional CFO in the sense that I’ll always roll up my sleeves and help out one of my teams. I like to be a part of exciting moments that are happening throughout the business. Sometimes that means jumping in at the very last minute to emcee at an event; other times it means representing your team in a 5K race or Tough Mudder.
How have you learned to manage work-induced stress? Ensuring I’m getting a full night of sleep as well as exercising on a routine basis helps create mental clarity.
What is your favorite number? 11 — it is my birthday and my wife’s birthday.
What are the most noteworthy items in your workspace? A picture of my beautiful wife and daughter helps remind me what really matters in life.
What is the year, make, and model of your first car? 1985 Ford Ranger Truck.
What is your favorite phone app that is unrelated to work? The iHeartRadio app — I love listening to music when I go for a run.
Can you share the most important book you’ve recently read? “Blue Ocean Strategy”. It is a gentle reminder to remain diligent about your business and continue to look for unique opportunities to drive value for your business
