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\u201cI see the fear of failure as being so detrimental to so many people early in their career. In people\u2019s minds, failing is often outsized, but most of the time, the things you\u2019re dealing with when you\u2019re up and coming are expected to involve some failure. That\u2019s how you learn,\u201d reflects Eric Emans, the CFO of Nintex. Emans tell us his career was built using the power of learning from mistakes and driving an expectation-based culture in finance.

In fact, Emans views failure as a critical learning tool. Starting his career in juvenile rehabilitation, Emans tell us he gained unique insights into human behavior and communication, which later influenced his approach to leadership. When Emans transitioned to finance, he was determined to understand the business holistically, not just through numbers.

At Bluecore, where he first stepped into a CFO role, Emans emphasized the importance of building strong relationships within the organization. He relied on mentorship and collaboration to navigate new challenges, openly seeking feedback from colleagues and industry veterans. This approach helped him avoid common pitfalls and develop a nuanced understanding of financial operations.

As CFO of Nintex, Emans has continued to foster a culture where team members are encouraged to go beyond their job descriptions. He uses the metaphor of the left hand and right hand to describe the importance of both controllership and FP&A in his leadership. \u201cMy head of FP&A and my controller need to be my right and left hand. Not only do they need to be talented, but I need to be able to speak to them about almost everything going on in the company,\u201d he says.

Emans believes in empowering his team to think critically, challenge assumptions, and bring new insights to the table. \u201cIf a finance person just hands me back the analysis I asked for, that\u2019s great. But if they go further and provide additional insights, that\u2019s what makes the difference between a good and a great organization,\u201d he says.

It perhaps little surprise Emans\u2019s leadership style is driven by continuous learning. He advocates for finance professionals to engage with different disciplines, understand the broader business context, and not be afraid to make mistakes.