Looking back on 3 key leadership lessons from Seattle Storm CFO Tricia McLean
Good morning. Today marks three years since I joined Fortune to launch the CFO Daily newsletter.
I’ve had the opportunity to talk with hundreds of finance chiefs across myriad industries, and one of my favorite interviews was with Tricia McLean, CFO of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, back in 2022. During our interview, she had a kind demeanor, a good sense of humor, and generously shared her finance expertise. Sadly, McLean, a wife and mother of three, suffered a medical emergency on March 18 and passed away at the age of 61.
“We are shocked by her unexpected passing, and profoundly aware of how important Tricia was to our Storm organization and the city’s sports community,” Ginny Gilder, co-owner of the Storm, said in the announcement.
McLean, who became CFO in 2014, was the franchise’s longest-tenured employee, recently completing her 16th season with the four-time WNBA champions. She joined as VP of finance and HR shortly after the Force 10 Hoops ownership group purchased the team to keep it in Seattle, according to the announcement.
The franchise was valued at $151 million—the highest of any WNBA team—last year after it sold minority stakes to 15 investors, the Wall Street Journal reported.
I spoke with McLean on Aug. 31, 2022, a few hours before Seattle and Las Vegas took to the court for Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals. She was on the road with the team and chatted with me on a video call from her hotel room.
Along with handling the reconciliation of game day statements, and reporting to the league how much revenue was coming in, McLean was busy rooting for the team as one of the Storm’s biggest fans. She showed me the necklace she wore displaying the team's championship rings. “I wear these for good luck during the playoffs,” she added.
We had a lengthy conversation, and looking back through my notes, I wanted to share three important lessons on leadership she shared with me that day.
The importance of collaboration in the C-suite:
“It takes all of us, and all of our viewpoints, to come to the right decision. I will always come at it from an ROI point of view, but that is not always the point of view that matters the most. We meet every week, and we talk about what's on our plates and make decisions as a team.”
Check your ego at the door:
“We all deserve to be heard. We don't have big egos at the Storm. We care about each other.”
Creating an environment where employees know that their well-being is a priority:
“We care about humans more than we care about anything else. If somebody has an issue going on at home, that is way more important than what's going on in the business at any given time. Go take care of what you need to take care of—we'll cover your back here.”
In Gilder's statement on McLean's passing, she noted: “Tricia modeled an admirable approach to life: Live it all with gusto. Love your work, love your work partners, and keep it all in perspective so you can maintain your focus on loving your family, friends, and doing the things you love.”
That certainly shined through during my conversation with her.
Sheryl Estrada
sheryl.estrada@fortune.com
María Soledad Davila Calero curated the Leaderboard and Overheard sections of today’s newsletter.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
