Leadership Q&A: Finance Steps Up To The Plate

What does it take to be a successful CFO in the world of professional sports? Jonathan Mariner, executive vice president and CFO of New York City-based Major League Baseball, tells Business Finance group publisher and editorial director David Blansfield about developing win-win strategies that benefit all of the great game's constituents.

Business Finance: What leadership characteristics are required of a successful CFO today?

Jonathan Mariner: It may sound simple, but a prerequisite is being a very good listener. When you're dealing with large organizations with diverse interests, you need to be able to discern not only what people are saying but also what they're not saying. You need to keep an open mind and not be selective about what you want to deal with.

Integrity and strength of character have always been important characteristics of successful CFOs, but never more so than today. The expectations of CFOs have never been higher.

BF: How have your background and skills helped you to be successful?

JM: Having a strong accounting background is key. I'm an old-fashioned accountant. There's a certain amount of pride that I think an old-school accountant has: "This is the way you do things." Not so much a right and wrong, but just a proper way to do things. Having that focus -- being beholden to GAAP, if you will -- really helps guide you. I've also had the benefit of working with very good managers -- people who had a lot of integrity, who didn't put pressure on me to just get things done.