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, Trintech’s CFO, Omar Choucair, shares his morning routine.
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Trintech
- AI financial close and reconciliation platform
- Year founded: 1987
- Number of employees: 600+
MORNING ROUTINE
Walk us through your normal workday morning routine. I like to start my mornings fairly early with a routine that keeps me grounded before the day picks up speed. I am not a morning workout person, so I use that time to get ahead by checking emails and understanding what is coming my way. When I can, I enjoy having breakfast with my wife, although several times a week I wind up in a networking meeting instead.
What is your morning pick-me-up? Most people reach for coffee or tea as their pick-me-up, but for me, it is music. My favorites range from Ella Langley to Tom Petty.
Tell us about a morning where things didn’t go according to plan, and how you adapted. That happens pretty much every day. In a global business, you come in with a plan, and within an hour, something shifts, whether it is a client issue, an ELT priority or a legal matter that needs attention.
At that point, it is less about sticking to the original plan and more about adapting quickly. You reprioritize, reshuffle your schedule and focus on what will have the biggest impact. The key is not getting thrown off by the change but keeping things moving forward.
How do you structure your first few hours after you log on at work? I start by connecting with my team to get a quick read on where things stand and where I’m needed most. Since we’re in the office three days a week — and I’m typically there all five — there’s always something that needs attention. My priority is to remove blockers early so work can keep moving. At the same time, I make sure expectations are clear on both sides, so we stay aligned and focused.
I’m still loyal to pen and paper; my to-do list lives right next to me, and everything goes on it (a habit that stuck from my early days as an auditor at KPMG). It keeps me grounded and organized in the middle of the noise. I also make a point to stay visible walking the floor, checking in and being accessible. It speeds up decisions and keeps communication flowing. Some of the most valuable conversations still happen face-to-face, and they’re hard to replicate any other way.
LEADERSHIP AND INSPIRATION
Favorite quote or mantra: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” It is a simple one, but it sticks with me because it holds up in just about every situation. Talent might give you a head start, but consistency, discipline and effort are what separate successful executives over time.
Favorite leadership lesson: I’ve always believed you should never ask someone to do something you haven’t done yourself, many times over. It builds credibility and trust, and people can tell the difference. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but it does help to be the hardest working.
I’ve also learned that if there’s a weak link on the team, you need to address it quickly. Waiting rarely makes personnel issues better and usually makes it harder on everyone else.
Who is the most influential or famous person you’ve ever met? Jamie Dimon stands out. I have been a client of JPMorgan across a few different businesses during my career. I have always respected how direct and outspoken he is about commitment and leadership. Jamie has been one of the best CEOs for many years, and that comes through in how he communicates and leads the organization.
What is something important to know about you that you wouldn’t find in your business bio? I grew up in a small farming and ranching town in West Texas, where I worked multiple jobs early on, everything from working in the cotton fields to helping manage the books for our family department store. That experience shaped my work ethic and how I approach problem-solving today.
Outside of work, I’m big into cycling. I ride about 1,800 miles a year and have completed the Hotter’N Hell Hundred bike race for 18 consecutive years, which has become a bit of a personal tradition.
What was the last job you did at your company that fell outside your traditional scope of work? The CFO role has evolved quite a bit, so I’ve stepped beyond traditional finance responsibilities and engaged in areas like go-to-market strategy, R&D investment allocation and product conversations. It has become a much more cross-functional role than it used to be. Also, being the CFO of a software company selling into CFOs has been a lot of fun.
How do you manage work-induced stress? The role can feel like a constant battle, so I’ve learned you must stay ahead of the stress instead of letting it pile up. Staying active is a big part of that. I work standing most of the day, move around a lot and carve out time to work out three or four times a week. I am not a morning workout person; that time is usually reserved for emails and getting the day moving, but I make sure to build it in somewhere. Cycling, in particular, is a great outlet. It clears my head, provides a lot of time to think and gives me a reset.
I also try to mix in a couple of networking breakfasts each week. It is a good way to stay connected and break up the routine a bit. Then at the end of the day, I wind down with music, usually Spotify or SiriusXM, with The Highway or No Shoes Radio in the rotation. It is a simple way to shift gears and close things out.
Favorite number: 7. It just looks fast, like it is leaning forward even when it is standing still. And it does not hurt that it is George Costanza’s favorite number, which feels like a perfectly reasonable endorsement.
What are the most noteworthy items in your workspace? Family photos, without a doubt. They keep everything in perspective on the busiest days. I always have several TVs running, usually CNBC, Fox Business or a sporting event. As a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, that tends to make its way into the rotation, for better or worse.
I also have a CFO army helmet in my office (a gift over 20 years ago from a dear friend), which has become a bit of a running joke. It is a constant reminder that CFOs face daily battles, especially in finance, and you must be ready to step into it.
Do you have a pet sitting in your office right now? Not in the office, but definitely at home. Our dog, Izzie, is usually not too far away and has a strong opinion about when it is time to take a break or go for a walk.
What was the year, make, and model of your first car? A 1976 four-door Buick LeSabre, a true land yacht. It was not exactly flashy, but it had character, plenty of room, and felt like it could take a hit and keep going. It was the kind of car that made you appreciate the drive, even if it handled more like a boat than a sports car.
Favorite phone app that is unrelated to work: Instagram, no question. The reels alone can derail a perfectly productive five minutes, but they are worth it. It is a mix of videos that make me laugh and short stories that actually stick with me, especially leadership clips from folks like Nick Saban. There is something special about hearing lessons from elite coaches that translate well beyond sports.
What is the most important book you’ve recently read? Two books that have recently stood out to me are “The Hundred-Year Marathon” and “Sting of the Wasp.” Each offers a different lens on global competition and strategy. I also read the Wall Street Journal and Dallas Morning News daily, cover to cover (both digital and paper copies).
