How to Tell a Demanding Founder They’re Wrong

About this episode

On this special episode of Run the Numbers, CJ Gustafson revisits standout moments from past conversations with Alex Immerman, Curt Sigfstead, Daniel Kang, Adam Ante, and David Laptor. Together, their advice reveals how great CFOs earn trust, challenge founders, speak up when the data says something is wrong, and become true strategic partners without relying on the power of the purse strings.

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SPONSORS:

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LINKS: 

Mostly Talent: https://mostlymetrics.typeform.com/to/cLTxtAsN

CJ: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-gustafson-13140948/

Mostly metrics: https://www.mostlymetrics.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Preview and Intro

3:27 Alex Immerman's favorite CFO interview question

4:54 What a weak answer looks like

5:26 When the hard calls actually matter

6:37 Walt and Roy Disney

7:36 Liked even when making unpopular calls

8:43 Sponsors — Anrok | RightRev | Pulley

11:35 Curt from Clio: ego in the bottom drawer

13:52 CFO as supporting cast

15:10 Backbone vs. ego: when to use each

16:23 Daniel Kang: don't use the purse strings as power

17:36 Earn the seat, don't demand it

18:52 Money is one arrow, not the whole quiver

20:39 Sponsors — Rillet | Maximor | Brex

23:54 Adam Ante: finance people pigeonhole themselves

26:46 The CFO can sit in any meeting

27:30 First 90 days: listen before suggesting

28:46 David Laptor: listen, observe, think, speak

30:50 Build a culture where speaking up is welcomed

31:51 Curt from Clio: don't come in as a know-it-all

33:08 Earn trust through curiosity

33:46 Beware of all-green dashboards

35:28 What would CJ say to Ballmer?

37:14 Parting thoughts from Ben

38:00 Credits