Daedalos

AE / BDRM

Lost Trust & Respect for boss

video cover

It really takes pressure for people to show their true colors finally.

Board has been pushing C-level out of their minds, which feeds the circle/chain of screaming (thanks Barney Stinson for another analogy).

While doing my service in the Special Forces of my country, my Commanding Officer told me: "Great leaders are like fire - you feel their warmth protecting you always, but if you get too close you'll burn".

Right now - the leader is only burning people, including me. Bottlenecks created due to them wanting visibility on every minute detail of deals. Pushing with discounts to bring in current quarter to show results to the board. Shifting strategies QoQ without waiting for them to deliver (probably because BoD is pushing relentlessly).

I've learned so many things from this boss - I truly believe in this product and the vision for blowing up. But in this ship, it seems like one hole closes and another one leaks.

WR - does taking my romantic view of my success in this company off the pedestal and start applying? Or do I tie myself to the mast of the ship like Odysseus, closing my ears to Recruiters-Sirens, until we finally reach Ithaca (or SaaS oblivion)?

Should I stay or should I go (p.s. I'm fully remote + paid good for my country)

Attached poll

"Tie yourself Odysseus - don't listen to the Sirens" "Odysseus, wake up lad, you're drowning - abandon ship"

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🙏 Mental Wellness

🎯 Career Development

21

36 comments

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RandyLahey

Politicker

11

Account Manager

Damn, we really need to be able to change our post votes. I wanted to select Odysseus, jump ship.

1) Excellent, delicious post.
2) GTFO. Polish the cv, dm me if you want a fresh set of eyes.
3) Fill your jobs pipeline with interviews. Look to get out, as you said expressed this in your post; there's no fixing it...

Daedalos

Tycoon

4

AE / BDRM

Got carried away there with the Odyssey analogy, could have made the poll options clearer. So grateful for your answer - seems like I'm at an impasse

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

Randy you are 🔥🔥🔥

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

5

President/CRO

Good times conceal what tough times reveal. Nothing wrong with keeping an eye out.

Daedalos

Tycoon

1

AE / BDRM

Keeping and using that quote - odd I haven't come across it yet. Thank you Cap

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

So am I.

oldcloser

Arsonist

5

💀

I've got to echo the @RandyLaheyism. "1) Excellent, delicious post."I'm also stealing this "Great leaders are like fire - you feel their warmth protecting you always, but if you get too close you'll burn".

But I've got a slightly different take. If you've learned from the guy and you believe in the product, by default, you've got a way to make a living conscience free and a manager you have found value in.

If he has yet to learn how to have broad shoulders and stop the shit from running all over you, cut him some slack. It's a rare one that does this well. It takes having withstood some beatings to master this. And it may well be your turn to teach him something.

If you've got the rapport, tell him the truth. Start with "I feel" and not "You suck." Give him the compliment sandwich, like "dude, you're the best. But there's one more thing I need from you."

Imagine your situation if this part gets fixed. Pretty damn good, yeah? Fight for some of that.

RandyLahey

Politicker

5

Account Manager

This is the way. Always combine what closer and i say and get to the middle

oldcloser

Arsonist

4

💀

😂😂😂

pirate

Big Shot

3

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yes

Daedalos

Tycoon

4

AE / BDRM

So much good stuff in here @oldcloser, definitely worth a chance and this is fresh eyes since I have 0 visibility in the life of a sales top dog in direct report to the board

Sunbunny31

Politicker

4

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

This is it.

While it's not bad to keep your eyes open for opportunities - pressure is on all over, and there's no telling that you'll actually find something even more attractive. Even my usually laid back CRO is feeling pressure from the board, and we're under a bit more micromanagement than any of us are comfortable with. Signed agreements fix a lot of this, so I see my role as changing the situation for the better. Every company has its drawbacks and quirks; the challenge is to find one with the things that you can live with. Honestly, it sounds like you are most of the way there.

I like the idea of working with your guy; you've got so much else going for you at your current situation that this seems like something you might be able to address to make this even better for yourself.

If you want some affirmation that you're mostly in a good spot, check out all the sales boards with people looking for work. Sobering.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you can find a way to empower your manager.

oldcloser

Arsonist

2

💀

Sure. Now we have the formula.

@oldcloser+ @RandyLahey / @Sunbunny31

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

But I'm a uniter, not a divider.

oldcloser

Arsonist

1

💀

Still, you alone can fix this.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

1

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Pachacuti

Politicker

4

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Rarely is the grass greener elsewhere - just different shades of brown.

Every company has its problems. My current company has problems my previous company didn't, and they have ones the previous company before them didn't have, etc.

You need to ask yourself if you want the devil you know or the devil you don't know.

Diablo

Politicker

3

Sr. AE

Is it a very young company (sorry if I missed it)? There’re always going to be internal issues while making things right but what matters is how they are tackling or solving them. I would still stick out there knowing that the outside world has something for me when I decide to part ways from this one. All the best !

Daedalos

Tycoon

1

AE / BDRM

Thanks @Diablo , your advice is always welcome

Maximas

Tycoon

2

Senior Sales Executive

Better watch the next hole you might fall under:)
Definitely jump the ship as business got no feelings!

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

Sounds like it - have started looking around without lifting my foot off the gas pedal.

Have to be ready for any scenario, but I'm safe right now with my quota attainment % and only one hitting targets = it will raise a lot of eyebrows

Notmyrealname

Politicker

2

AE

The QoQ changes is a huge red flag. Every time something changes performance dips below where it was while people get accustomed to the change before, hopefully, rushing above previous levels (hence why some companies never enact changes even if it means better performance in the long run). Constant change strangles performance.

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

Yes - especially when it has to do with climbing market segments, with product and support that may or may not be "there" yet, with pricing that is convoluted and expecting same buying cycles for fast revenue that is needed.

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I voted wrong too! Do not tie yourself to that ship!!
I really like the video

On the other hand yes it is hard to be in a company who constantly changes the direction and what they want. However it is better than doing something that does not work for months. I think there is some honor in someone realizing yeah you know what? This is not working out, let's try something different

Are you treated well? Are you getting paid enough? Do you want to do something different? Have you been there long enough to know it will not work out?

Always be looking

Daedalos

Tycoon

1

AE / BDRM

Ahoy! Who's better than you to give advice about what to do with a ship Pirate?

My cringe jokes aside, thank you - actively looking what's out there to hedge my best. Should I find a company whose product makes me as passionate as this one, I will be multithreading to recruiter, hiring manager and whoever is involved to get that move.

But moving somewhere subpar just for the grass being greener is not the strategy (yet).

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Shiver me timbers! Thank ye

Yeah my company is not perfect. But I like the industry and they're quite nice towards me.

I think yeah just moving away for the sake of moving away doesn't make sense. Taking time to find something great does.

lowhangersalesbanger

Executive

1

Director of Sales

I was in a similar situation at my last company but instead pf QoQ changes we were haveing WoW changes to strategy and planning. It made it impossible to effectively do anything so the entire team stalled. It was one of the primary catalysts for me leaving. If I were you I'd be getting my survival suit on and preparing for a swim to shore.

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

Yeah, could be a great indicator

TheDude

Politicker

1

Partnerships Lead

Start by having a 1:1 with your boss. If he's a good leader and spinning under the C-suite push maybe he can use your help. Have a candid conversation and see what you uncover. Once you've done that due diligence, then explore options if necessary.

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

A true partnerships pro

TheQueenofDiamonds

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Sales moto has to be ABI = always be interviewing
1. You may find something accidently that you may love
2. Practice makes perfect
3. Always have options when boss is passing you off
4. Network during the interview process may be helpful for sales at your current role (I used to use applications as a mean to prospect = sharing gold here, ppl, pay attention! )
5. It's great for your ego!!!

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

I was too naive and loyal, have only done a couple of interviews that went well, but I disqualified them (people in southern Europe pay rubbish)

1

Manager

1

1

VP Enterprise Sales

I don't agree with the point about getting too close to great leaders you get burned, I can save the why for another post.

You don't mention your performance, how are you doing?
Is your career progressing?
Are you hitting you personal and professional goals?

I would not be too concerned about change in sales leadership ,here’s the average CRO tenure in SaaS startups according to three different studies:1.9 years (Bridge Group Inc.)1.5 years (SaaSup)1.5 years (CSO Insights)
I would update my resume, schedule a discussion with the CEO or person above you boss about your status at the company and future prospects for success.

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

Bob - great insights, appreciate the guidance. My performance has been stellar, exceeding quota expectations consistently. However, seems like still there’s pressure to be had.

Quota changes are something I foresee in my immediate future, with no raises to be seen (since overall company performance is depleted).

Started applying just to keep my options open. My base salary is atrocious - but hey, my quota is easier. In any case, seems like I’ll try to hold through the stormy days. But if an offer I can’t refuse easily comes along the way - looks like I’m out

Daedalos

Tycoon

0

AE / BDRM

UPDATE: Is this one of the closest polls we've seen at WR? It's a coin flip almost @Gasty

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