HVACexpert profile picture
HVACexpert profile picture

HVACexpert

sales engineer

Politicker
Catalyst
Valued Contributor
+8

My boss is leaving

my boss who was with the company for 20 years has decided to leave.  she is a wonderful person and wish her the best, she has decided to pursue things outside of the industry after taking some time off.  she is an empty nester so kind of evaluating what she wants to do next.

but now what?? I work at a fairly small family owned company, which I love.  My boss does a LOT though for this company and handles many items herself. a lot of responsibilities will have to be passed around.  did I perhaps see myself taking a more leadership role here someday? yes.  did I expect to do it less than a year in? no lol. I certainly have plenty on my own plate to do, but do I take this opportunity to show some leadership and "take the bull by the horns "? 

any advice savages?
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20 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Do you want to be responsible for other reps?
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
I mean it’s something I thought about and would enjoy doing, being a leader. Always thought it would happen more organically, but we will learn more soon about next steps.
ChumpChange
Politicker
1
Channel Manager
Be careful of what you're asking for here. Managing your own work/stress/effort versus an entire team's is a different job altogether.
HVACexpert
Politicker
0
sales engineer
Truth!
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
It's a whole other creature
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Are they asking you to step up or are you making assumptions?
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
She handled some accounts on her own, I’m assuming at the very least I’ll take a few of those on. But asking, is this a time to show leadership? Or a time to let things play out and just show support?
Pachacuti
Politicker
2
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
It sounds like you are relatively new? Your self doubt makes me think that.

Regardless, you will probably take over some of those accounts, if that is what you want. I wouldn’t worry about a leadership role unless (1) that is what you want & (2) you pursue it actively.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
They gonna pay you more?
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
Been at the company under a year, been in sales for over 10, agreed if I was here longer I would be more for forward in my response and leadership. My initial reaction is to see what they come to me with first I guess, and go from there.
HVACexpert
Politicker
2
sales engineer
Not sure yet I am making assumptions to be honest the announcement just came today so
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Sounds like you’ll learn more over the next days and weeks.
Justatitle
Big Shot
2
Account Executive
Well, this reminds me of a quote. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." So, ask for time with leadership, ask them to lay it out on the table and how they would like for you to operate IE.(take on more responsibility if they feel you can handle it.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
There is a couple of angles to this I feel having been in similar businesses all my life.

It seems like you have plenty of sales experience to bring to the table as well as enjoying what you do.

However, being in the company just one year, how much do the other reps look to you as an authority in your field and would they accept you as a leader at this point, especially if they have been there longer? You may be a viable candidate but it will be a crappy existence if they don't look to you as a leader or respect you as a leader in a smaller family business and at worst it could kill your position within that company.

There is an argument you may not get this opportunity again for a while, but the flip side to that is, having a high performer in that role for 20+ years, the next appointment is likely going to be a challenge and has every possibility of not working out which could give you just that little bit extra time needed in the company to become a more viable option.

TL:DR, i think the main thing here is, do you have enough respect from your peers at the moment that they would look to you as a leader without conflict? If yes then go for it, if you are not sure then thats no and i would bide my time.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
I wanted to follow this up by saying,

I am in a very similar position to you right now, I work for a small family business, the business needs a sales leader who is not the GM (they do a great job but just have too much on their plate to be highly effective)

I want to get into leadership and I also want the opportunity to buy into this business so have my eyes on that role however I have only been here 2 years and feel right now the time is not right.

I am the most experienced sales guy on the team with over 10 years of selling under my belt but right now I wouldnt have the respect of the team which at the end of the day if the main thing. If i want to achieve the goal of buy in, im going to need performance and you wont get that with a sales team that doesnt look to you as a leader.

All just my opinions based on my experiences thus far.
HVACexpert
Politicker
0
sales engineer
Yeah pretty similar to me, looking to buy in someday too. One additional thing for me is I have known a lot of this company for years as I did business with them in a previous life. So the relationship isn’t new.
sketchysales
Politicker
0
Sales Manager
Thats fair, its more of a case then of how would the team accept you as a new sales leader based on their tenure. Its worth bearing in mind the relationship they had with the old boss as well.

Good opportunity for you im sure but one id be careful with personally.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
Yeah give it a shot, you must have learned lots of experience from your boss apparently.
Best of luck 4 the 2 of U!
Diablo
Politicker
0
Sr. AE
Too early I believe but you will have to take the ownership of what you want to do and communicate accordingly
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
0
Rolling 20's all day
What kind of role are you looking for next?

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