I am collaborative and like to get advice from others when making decisions. At one company a peer told me “You are the CFO – just make the decisions.” I understood why he said so, but it never felt right for me. I wasn’t being my true self when I tried to do what he suggested.

      The last company I worked for as the CFO was a tech company with a very special culture. They were growing and needed their first CFO. The CEO was concerned about hiring a “C” level person and how they might impact the culture. After my first of five interviews I knew this was the place I wanted to work. In the subsequent interviews the two founders and I primarily spoke about culture, fit and personality – very little about finance. I was hired and worked there for six years culminating in its sale. After I was hired the CEO told me he interviewed 50 candidates for the role, and I was the only one he felt would fit the culture. I asked why. He could tell I was very collaborative, caring and nurturing – not all traits people look for, find or want in a CFO but it was what he was looking for. That’s who I am. Sometimes it fits and sometimes it doesn’t.

      After working at the tech company for a few months my wife commented to me that I had “re-become” the person she married. I came home from work so much happier because I was able to be my true self there. What she said to me was the best compliment possible!

      In my consulting business, in my volunteer work and in my mentoring of others I continue to strive to be my true self. That’s where I’m most comfortable and where I do my best work. It’s interesting because I find that the right clients for me are drawn to that.

      Figure out who you are. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. We are all complicated people and we often put on personalities to fit in or make others happy. How do we feel in those situations? What about that them feels right and what doesn’t?

      I was fortunate to have been given outplacement services a few times after selling companies I worked for. I learned a lot about myself during those times. It was when I was first introduced to personality testing. I have taken many different types of personality tests and they all have helped me to learn about myself. What’s amazing to me is how well they describe me and learning that we all have things that make us unique.

      I enjoy discussing my results of these personality tests with friends and family to see what they think. It’s interesting to hear their comments and to share back about what I observe about them.

      I have been meditating daily for eight years and I was very skeptical about it at first. But I have found it to be one of my favorite activities and it has allowed me to quiet the voice in my head and to learn more about who I am. Discover something new.

      Use what you learn to find places that allow you to be your true self. For me that means helping others – both in my paid consulting role and in my unpaid volunteer positions and when I volunteer to mentor others.

      I love people and have learned the key to so many things is to have great relationships. I work hard at developing those relationships and to bring integrity and honesty to them, not only asking how I can help but seeing ways I think I can help and just doing so.

      I love networking connecting with others, seeing how we can help each other, figuring out which of my connections should be connected to each other and paying forward all the good things that have been done for me. I initially did my networking when I was in a job search, I now make it what I do all the time. Let’s meet.

SCOTT FORESTER

    Scott has been a CFO for entrepreneurial companies for most of his career serving as the right-hand person to visionary CEOs – helping to make their dreams a reality. Scott has worked extensively in the tech, toy and food industries among others. (Anyone remember Furby?) He has also helped lead the sale of four employers to Hasbro, Heinz, Mondalez and Wipfli.

    Scott now has his own consulting business as a “fractional” CFO helping startups, entrepreneurial and growing companies who either don’t need or can’t afford a full-time CFO. He has a wide variety of clients who turn to him for business and financial advice and strategy. He has also served as an interim CFO.

    Scott moved to Madison, Wis., after spending his whole life in Chicago, Ill. He followed his rabbi wife to Madison and is very proud of his three grown children. He loves Madison and being involved in many organizations while helping/mentoring many people. He’s treasurer of StartingBlock, serves on the Finance Committee of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, and is a member of Finance Executives International Madison.