Has anyone ever failed in a sales leadership position (I have)? What did you learn from your failures?

Managed an inside sales team early on in my sales career. Given my sales record, I was promoted to manage the companies first 'High Revenue' sales team, mostly comprised of tenured reps. Was in the role for a few months until they decided to hand that team to a more tenured manager and have me manage basically a team straight out of training. The transition didn't go well, but I learned a lot both personally and professionally and am super happy in the role I'm in now as a result of my previous stumble. Ask some questions or tell me what you've learned from failure in your career.

✌️ Growing Pains
🤘 Personal Growth
🧢 Sales Management
2
sellbig
3
Director of Sales
2 biggest things I learned from failing at a previous sales leadership position...
1. Results aren't the only thing. I've learned to stop just hanging my hat on dominating our target and worrying more about if my personal brand is stronger with my team, and our company's leadership at the end of the day than it was at the start of it.
2. What I want to say and what will get me the results I want are usually 2 different things. It's best to take a second and process and ask myself if my gut reaction (usually an overreaction) is the right move to actually get my desired outcome.
AlecBaldwinsHairline
Valued Contributor
2
Head of Sales Development
I've learned that if growing pains don't lead to accelerated growth - there's a big problem.
koalifications
Old School Bravo
0
Salesforce Consultant
I approached a role as a "turnaround" situation when the former leader (who was staying with the company and had tons of political sway) thought it was "sustaining success"

needless to say i ruffled some feathers so even though my fresh take was working - sometimes the political battle just wears you down. if i were to do it again i'd work harder aligning with the former boss.

Great book for this is The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins 

link: https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/dp/1422188612
7

What qualities do the best sales reps you know have?

Question
10
3

Best position in sales and why?

Question
6
5

Tell me about the shittiest sales manager you ever had.

Question
8