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, Ogilvy’s global CFO, Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, shares the importance of taking time to pause when working in a creative environment, managing curveballs that cause her day to be re-arranged and the purpose of leadership.
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Ogilvy
- U.K.-based advertising agency
- Founded: 1948
- Size: Over 10,000 employees
- Annual revenue: $5.9 billion (2023)
MORNING ROUTINE:
Weekday wake-up time: My alarm usually is set for 5:30 a.m. but I snooze it to 6:00 a.m. I then spend the next 30 minutes in bed doing my Daily Calm meditation, my daily prayers and running through my schedule. I often assess what quality of sleep I had and make a call about how I feel mentally in starting my day. My husband has been getting up at 5:00 a.m. for 30 years to go to work for UPS so I often wait for his morning kiss goodbye before getting physically out of bed.
Morning beverage choice: I start my morning with a fiber drink and a protein shake. No caffeine for me — I am overly sensitive to caffeine so stay away from it. If I have tea, it is herbal/decaffeinated.
Morning activities that are not work-related: I have adult children so my life is much different now than it was 10 years ago when I was waking up at 4:30 a.m. to take my youngest to figure skating practice!
Now I am a Peloton fiend, having both the treadmill and the bike. I alternate for my cardio and strength training. I have a few favorite instructors who also double as therapists, as far as I am concerned, to help me start my day.
My favorite saying from instructor Alex Toussaint is, “Inhale that confidence, exhale that doubt.” I also switch it up and sometimes just do a walk in my local park, which is always good in the morning with a breeze or some pilates. Anything to keep me moving for four to five days during the week. It helps me focus.
Workday start time: I have a global role so most days my calls start at 8:00 a.m. and are back-to-back. I go into the office about three days a week, so things move fast and furious by the time I get out of bed until lunchtime.
How I spend the first hour of my day: I always check my email first to see what fires need to be put out or if I want to rearrange my day based on certain priorities. I am often distracted by asks from my CEO or other colleagues, so that is always to be expected. No matter how I plan my day there is always a curveball.
I do try to make up my mind to accomplish at least two things on my list. It helps me keep my sanity and make sure I don’t feel too overwhelmed. I also try to connect with key team members in person when I get to the office. It is always good to take a moment and ask them how their evening was or how they are feeling. And then of course there is my check on current events in the world and business to keep informed.
Time I send out my first email: Likely around 7:10 a.m. to catch someone in Asia or respond to something from the night before.
Advice for writing an effective email: Short and sweet. Though I struggle with this!
First dashboard I review: Our Power BI dashboard of our pipeline and cash governance is always the highlight of my day.
How I structure my morning meetings: I try to start by asking people how they are. I hate it when we jump right into things. We are human beings after all. Then we launch into the issue, have a strong discussion, determine next steps and on to the next one. Some are more productive than others.
Mid-morning snack of choice: I have to keep the blood sugar stable so I often have a low-carb wrap with oven-roasted turkey — I keep my snacks within 150 to 200 calories and always have protein included.
Given I start so early, the protein shake lasts until about 10:45 a.m. and then I don’t eat lunch until around 1:00 p.m., or I work through lunch and have to eat on the go, so I need something in-between to keep me from crashing.
What was a recent morning that didn’t go as planned, and how did you adjust? Uhhh like yesterday? Or the day before that? I adjust my day constantly depending on what needs to be solved.
I work in a dynamic, creative environment where I try to establish a controlled chaos, but the beauty and challenge of this environment is always being on your toes. There are some “normal” days but more often than, not I use the mental positioning of pause is power. (Thank you, Powerade and our latest Olympics work with Simone Biles for the timely reminder.)
If something urgent needs my attention — a deal doesn’t come through as planned, there is a challenge with the forecast, a talent issue erupts — I lean on my partners in the business and take a walk around the floor to gather my thoughts and jump back into it. The end of the day comes soon enough.
INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP
Favorite quote or mantra: From Maya Angelou, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Favorite leadership lesson: If you want people to listen to you, you have to listen to them. The purpose of leadership in my view is not to leave something for them, but something in them that can carry on without you. It takes psychological safety to transform a system. You can get there by other means, but you will lose the ability to optimize how you adapt and evolve unless your team members feel both excited and accountable for the goals of your organization.
Something important about me you wouldn’t know from my business bio: I love mixed martial arts fighting! Everyone thinks because I am a CFO I am reserved, but I love watching a good fight — boxing is boring. Let’s get some kicking in the mix!
Favorite number/why: Hmm, I don’t think I have a favorite number, but if I had to pick one it would be 22, it corresponds to the day I was born.
Most noteworthy items in my workspace: My desk calculator — I often get teased. It is huge! And the same model I had back in high school. I was traveling in Germany once and the security people laughed at me and called it an abacus. It’s a part of my identity.
Do you have a pet and are they with you right now? Yes, I have two cats — Sandy and Sesame. They are not with me right now because they would be crawling all over the keyboard. I keep them in their space during my workday if I am working from home because they are too distracting. They are my two daughters’ cats, but they both moved out, so you know how that goes.
Favorite app on my phone not related to business: Houzz — I am trying to start planning some renovations in my home and I find myself drifting to the app to take a look at ideas often during the day.
The year, make, and model of your first car: 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan — I kept it for 12 years. It got me through all my mom activities when my children were young. That car created a lot of memories. Was sad to see it go. However, I am very happy in my Lexus these days.
Most influential or famous person you’ve ever met: This was hard to pull out of my mental rolodex. I am going to be honest and say this is something for me still to do in my life.
If I could put in a request to the universe however three living people rise to the top Shonda Rhimes to talk about storytelling; Simone Biles to talk about discipline, mental strength and resilience; and Mellody Hobson to discuss business strategy and leadership.
Most inspirational people in your life: Two people stand out whenever I am asked this question. My mom, Dolores Ryan (deceased). I miss her terribly, but she was the wisest person I will ever know. Also, poet and author Maya Angelou, who also reminds me of my mom… so there is a theme.
Both women used the power of words and storytelling to drive life messages and inspiration. They both experienced pain and triumph but always respected themselves and commanded respect. I would do anything to sit at a table with them both today and just talk.
