Blinded Leadership

Hello Savages, recently I found the company's leadership and blinded and deaf apparently.


Despite all our proposals and ideas, the common denominator is "you have to follow orders". Have you noticed this behavior in your company/team? if so - do you raise your hand and speak up? We did today and the answer was: The CRO made that structure so you must follow it.


Halp.

✌️ Growing Pains
😤 Conflict Resolution
20
BmajoR
Arsonist
7
Account Executive
I've learned that any comment that "questions" authority needs to be backed up by solid alternatives or suggestions. However, I would view your situation as a negative because any leader worth their salt knows they are always in learning mode and some of the best feedback comes from the frontline. 

Is this company a stepping stone or something you want to ride out for a while?
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
fun fact - we back up everything with data and the answer is: sorry not sorry 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
4
🦊
Agree with Opal Jacky. Bring your facts with a proposed solution to back up your ideas.
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
Did that - answer: stick to the ~broken~ process - thanks fox, you're my partner in crime. 
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
1
Rolling 20's all day
If they really refuse to fix a broken system that will cause them to lose and you to suffer with your goals, it may be time to start looking elsewhere.
BmajoR
Arsonist
2
Account Executive
Then its definitely time to look elsewhere! You are on a sinking ship.
GDO
Politicker
3
BDM
I think jacky better starts looking around. Unless there is a good reason to stay
InQ5WeTrust
Arsonist
2
No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL
Yeah, I agree with @GDO; this screams red flag. 


I noticed it at my old startup where a new head of sales was brought in who just went against company culture/ethos, but he was the head, so orders were orders. 

If they can't provide real reasons apart from 'respect the structure' then it might be time to move on. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
2
Sr. Customer Success Manager
yeah - in fact, the company was pretty nice and the team we built is just amazing but recently leadership is just tripping in outer space. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
2
Sr. Customer Success Manager
IKR - I'm just venting out and seeking some wisdom here to stay haha -- 'cause you're right - that's a sick flag. We evolved from start-up to enterprise and now everyone's acting like crazy
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
6
Sr. Customer Success Manager
Thank you for the comments and thoughts everyone
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
5
War Room Enthusiast
I’ve been there as well, it’s not great. Usually in smaller companies they will listen to your feedback more.

I do always speak up, even if I feel like no one will listen, because I think a different opinion can always be useful and sometimes higher ups aren’t end users and won’t know or understand the pains of the software. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
surrounded by cheerleaders here
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
3
War Room Enthusiast
Those are harmful for the company. Make sure you are heard
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
I find toxic positivity more dangerous than just toxic ppl
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
3
War Room Enthusiast
I do too! Especially when they believe they hold all the answers!
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
4
Sr. Customer Success Manager
when they are passive positive aggressive, nopeland
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
1
War Room Enthusiast
Oh those are a handful for sure!
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
Speak up but like Opal said back it up with an alternative that is viable. Leaders deal with problems all day so brining them another without a solution wont get you the response you are looking for. 

The "follow order" response is bullshit though. Probably time to evaluate what you are getting from this role and if its worth moving on. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
word - yeah, I think it's time to weigh if it's worthed.... 
No_ty
Politicker
4
Sales Dir.
update your CV
youKNOW
Politicker
3
Sales Manager
I think in my early days, I'd probably have said something...regardless if I had a good relationship with my manager/leadership. Now that I'm further down the road in my sales career; I think it's critical to have built a solid relationship with your leadership. That way, if something comes up where you've observed leadership being blinded, you can speak from a good foundation. Ultimately though...if they are two structure rigid and not willing to listen (even if the relationship is good), I'd definitely agree that it's a big red flag. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
6
Sr. Customer Success Manager
It's safe to say it's time to run
MrPotter
Valued Contributor
3
Trainer
Been there, man. I did something similar and spoke up in my previous job. It did not work out too much for me either. Eventually I left because the relationship with leadership was just becoming too strained at that point.
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
4
Sr. Customer Success Manager
time to peace out
Boutdamtime
Politicker
2
Client Executive
Be careful what you wish for...I complained about a lot of broken processes and now I’ve been appointed to fix them as my second job after attaining quota HAHA Joking aside ask for a committee to discuss ways to improve systems that will have a positive affect on the customer experience. Work from the customer back and you can never be wrong.
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
5
Sr. Customer Success Manager
Not at wish - closed-ended yes/no question. To be fair this post is getting interesting. 
SDMHGWarrior
Tycoon
2
CEO
rules exist for a reason
bareknuckles
Valued Contributor
2
CEO of my kitchen table
I have not seen this in my company which is why I have been there for so long. I have left large multi-national NASDAQ companies because of this. Took me a long time to figure out my worth and find what I need in a company. 
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
4
Sr. Customer Success Manager
My best score is 3 years - I was hoping this company was the "one"
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
2
ISR
I think jacky better starts looking around. Unless there is a good reason to stay
Mr.Pickles
Arsonist
0
Sr. Customer Success Manager
Left that boat long ago _D
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
It's rare to find a place where they aren't blinded by hierarchy and their own hubris and ego. 



Sadly, this type of place will let you go for not doing exactly what they say, no matter what you sell. And when you don't sell, they will also let you go. 
MaximumRaizer
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
I’ve been there as well, it’s not great. Usually in smaller companies they will listen to your feedback more.
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Is this company a stepping stone or something you want to ride out for a while?
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
I've learned that any comment that "questions" authority needs to be backed up by solid alternatives or suggestions. However, I would view your situation as a negative because any leader worth their salt knows they are always in learning mode and some of the best feedback comes from the frontline.
6

The Sales Leadership Illuminati

Discussion
9
7

What leadership quality do most sales leaders lack?

Question
16
59
Members only

What is your leadership superpower?

Question
70