Boss Mode is a new regular online feature spotlighting Cornelius business and community leaders. Today we’re featuring Thomas Finlay, a native of Scotland who leads the largest youth soccer organization in the Greater Charlotte area.

Name: Thomas Finlay

Company: Charlotte Independence Soccer Club

Job Title: CEO

First thing you do when you walk into work?

Say hello to everyone.

Coffee, tea, or something stronger?

Two cups of coffee in the morning for sure.

What part of your job would surprise people the most?

Probably the amount of non-soccer work. Whether it’s legal, insurance, contracts, facilities and municipalities, interaction with governing bodies – the list is endless. There is a vast amount of my time spent on organizational structure management.

What small decision eats up way more time than it should?

Every decision is based upon our values. So when it’s a strategic or personnel decision – there are a lot of conversations around that decision. With a large, diverse group, whenever there are centralized decisions, we have to make sure the decentralized parts of our structure are on the same wavelength. This is key to our culture and alignment.

What’s always on your desk (besides a phone and computer)?

That’s easy – a pen and paper. If I can’t get to it straight away, then it’s written down for another time.

Favorite quick lunch in town?

So, so many: Cava in the Village, 131 Main, a new favorite is Burton’s. The list is long.

Best advice you’ve ever gotten about business?

Be genuine and honest and try to impact/influence people along the way.

A daily habit that keeps you sane?

Wait, that’s an actual thing? I wish I was more disciplined with aspects that are good for Thomas.

What’s the five-minute task you refuse to delegate?

Responding to questionnaires 😊

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

I love this type of question. The answer changes all the time when I think about it. I wish I had an answer, but I really don’t. I do recall this, and it’s stuck with me: When I was 13 – someone told me, “Be a kid before you try to be a man.” That was so important and key for me at that time, and I never tried to rush growing up and embraced school and playing soccer in my youth.