pirate

🦜☠️ Account Executive

"Pep talk" by VP of Sales

A few weeks ago our VP of sales had a lovely pep talk with my team. It started by tell me how I can help you be better and after few of us flagged some things in a very constructive and nice manner... VP started calling out individuals for their bad performance this quarter despite them bringing deals in previously. And heavily implied that there won't be enough of jobs for many soon if we don't hit Q3 number. And that there's probably too many reps in place. Tomorrow we're now getting another catch up with the same VP.

He talks about experience but people said he's hopeless on calls and doesn't deliver on what he promises.

I personally don't believe in public humiliation. To me it's bullying. Like let the line managers be tough and have the conversations.

QBRs and performance reviews sure but not like this.

Is this common?

I would interview but very worried of being a job hopper so I'm just trying to not cause trouble and create pipeline and be helpful to our team where I can.

🧢 Sales Management

🏋️‍♀️ Leadership

47

89 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

19

🦊

See this is that bullshit that makes high performing reps quit.

jefe

Arsonist

6

🍁

Absolutely. This is why people quit bad managers more than anything

pirate

Big Shot

5

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I get bad managers. Bad VPs though... It's a sizeable organisation. Maybe it's their strategy

jefe

Arsonist

5

🍁

Perhaps that can be amended to bad management. They're still above and shitting down, causing problems. I've quit a bad VP before.
Massively demotivating.

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I'm not surprised. I'm starting to think they're all incompetent. And like how hard is it to be tactful with people who work hard to bring the company deals. Carrot always worked better for me than the stick

CuriousFox

WR Officer

6

🦊

Ok so are some incompetent? Absolutely. Do most think their title is important and so they have a "Do you know who I am attitude" and decide to manage via fear? Absolutely even more. Fuck em.

jefe

Arsonist

4

🍁

Bingo Foxy

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I'm full of feist now for tomorrow. If VP dares come after me, I'll give my honest feedback. Yeah fuck em.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

6

🦊

OOH I've got stories too. I may start a new post once I calm the fuck down.

jefe

Arsonist

3

🍁

Do it! 🦊

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yes to more fuck em all stories 🦊 I'll upvote!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I'm in. All ears! (obviously)

CuriousFox

WR Officer

4

🦊

The cutest ears 🐇

HVACexpert

Politicker

2

sales engineer

Do it!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

3

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Can't beat the bestest tail!

RandyLahey

Politicker

5

Account Executive

It's so fucking tiring. This would be an instant quit from me. So stupid, and weak.

GDO

Politicker

2

BDM

Exactly, that bullying bullshit does not work. And the people you're left with are the one's that can't jump ship

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Pretty much. And then you lose talent and you lose knowledge. Doesn't make sense to me

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

We have a plan of just having our cameras off tomorrow. Now that be funny... I see why it's just mean.

1

Global Account Manager

Yep! I hate it too.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Second meeting he was so rude, it's like never mind the deal stories... Get to the end lol

Sunbunny31

Politicker

9

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

In all my years of working in tech sales, only one VP ever did this, in the guise of "transparency" and "being open about failure in addition to success". He was also a big believer in stack rankings.
Basically, he was a demotivator. Not one person wanted to work with him.

pirate

Big Shot

4

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Transparency? Ha. Yeah this one seems like a demotivator as well. I don't know if my director or manager would be able to protect me against this VP if they started firing reps.

coletrain

Politicker

5

Account Executive

Fun fact: you aren't protected. I've worked in this type of environment where managers were culled either formally/informally by the CRO aka VP with title and small stake.
You see the writing on the wall. Run away

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Sometimes one can outlast a VP like this, but direct managers can only do so much.

coletrain

Politicker

4

Account Executive

And that's the catch: you don't know what the VP is facing. Possibly on the hot seat but hard to tell from the rep perspective.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

2

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Well, if that dude is one of many and he's the only one you know of who thinks this is the way...then the question will be if upper management doubles down on the approach, or slides that manager off elsewhere.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I don't know what the VP faces. But he gets paid enough to deal better with these things.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

8

Sales Rep

People definitely play the blame game if your number is not good

pirate

Big Shot

2

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yeah I get the blame game. Just not why do it so openly and why not just put people on PIP... hey it sucks but public humiliation...naaah. Don't think he will last as VP to be honest.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

1

Sales Rep

Yeah totally agree, way better ways to handle the stress than publicly calling out people on Zoom calls.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yup and like everyone tries really hard and works long days so I'm like what

Space_Ghost20

Valued Contributor

4

Account Executive

I agree with you. There is a time and a place for harsh (but not unprofessional) critique, and it's in 1:1s and similar coaching sessions between manager and reps.

Also, one bad quarter (if the other quarters have been at goal) shouldn't immediately lead to layoffs and firings. To me that suggests another worrying sign: that the company is in dire financial straits.

I hear you in not wanting to look like a job hopper, and I know I've struggled to find a better fitting job, but I think it might be worth it to you to explore your options.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Exactly! Well I think the last truly good quarter was Q1 and since then we have struggled somewhat. But yeah it is troubling.
Yeah I guess so! Aiming to not get fired though so I can have some savings and afford to look for a new job. Not in a great position and need to downshift in my life I think.

DataCorrupter

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I agree with all of this. Get started on a search, just strap in for the long haul, it's gonna be awhile.

oldcloser

Arsonist

3

💀

Is this common? I really don't know, but I've run into it over the past few years. Maybe there are just too many companies. It's always this guy that brings zero value to a warrior trying to get a deal done. And he's always first to turn down a deal that comes in with a tiny contingency.

VP: I'm not taking that garbage! Here's what I want you do to. Get back to him and begin to build some value!

AE: Dude, that part of it is long gone. He signed. Besides, you said you'd take it before I sent it.

VP: I never said that!

AE: Dude, here's the email.

VP: Well, I thought you were saying something else!

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I like the warrior person versus zero value person. Everyone is encouraged to work on big deals too. So we do but that don't result in instant revenue.

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

3

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Yeah, it is shockingly common. It sucks, and a remanent of the old times when that was allowed and encouraged. Doesn’t really work anymore.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Ouch so you have been through this? Yeah I don't come across it that much anymore. Surprisingly it's with people whom I assume are 55+ if not older

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

They can fuck right off. Karma will come back to bite them.

Beans

Big Shot

2

Enterprise Account Executive

This is par for the course for VP's, they're never on your side.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Clearly not

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

2

☕️

He is probably right re:rep over saturation

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I don't think he's wrong but doing that in calls is a no for me.

sassy_seller

Executive

2

AE

Why he doesn’t take the blame the he overhired? It sounds like 90s harrasing people that there might not be enough room for everyone soon.. not good!

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yes!! Thanks for saying this. It's not my fault they overhired. More like VPs fault.

AnchorPoint

Politicker

2

Business Coach

Major flag that something is wrong.

Diablo

Politicker

1

Sr. AE

Sometime I have seen behavior like this resulting into restructuring. I guess they want to insult you because they don't need you and you quit yourself.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yeah if that's what they're going for, it's kind of a smart strategy. You avoid all the bad layoff press.

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I'm not a fan of public humiliation but him giving you all the warning that if the Q3 numbers aren't hit is fair warning.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Warning is a warning and bullying and calling people out is different. But yeah I get it.

lajefa

Good Citizen

1

Enterprise Account Executive

Either way you slice it this is highly unprofessional behavior. Orgs that let toxic team members stay are problematic. It speaks to how the org is run and how it sees it's employees. You need to look for other opportunities. Early in my career I would maybe tolerate this. Now, Never again. Establish professional boundaries

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yup companies seem to still promote toxicity if they perform highly

Justatitle

Big Shot

1

Account Executive

Sounds like a miserable situation and your VP joins the long list of leadership that sucks...

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Pretty much yeah

MrAnderson

Executive

1

AE

NEVER worry about being a job hopper.

It's so normal in sales, it affects you like 5%-10% in an interview.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Really? My longest tenure in a role is 1 year 9 months and I've been fully in sales since 2019... it just worries me. Thanks for the encouragement though 🙏

MrAnderson

Executive

1

AE

Almost 2 years in a role is great.
Seriously pull up sales navigator and see it for yourself rotation is pretty normal, especially these past years

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Thank you 🙏

SalesMama

Executive

1

Senior Account Executive

Why are you “very worried of being a job hopper”? How many sales roles have you had?

I think in todays market have a few companies isn’t inherently a red flag, though good you’re conscientious about it

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Eh like 4 positions in 5 years... And I can explain a lot of it well but just don't want to risk hopping anymore. My salary has improved and I'm very good at hitting numbers, companies generally don't look badly on it but still.

SaaSsy

Politicker

1

AE

Ew. Sadly very common - sounds like yet another douche bag frat guy who got too big for his britches and has zero actual leadership qualities.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Pretty much. Disgusting how they get to that position

RelationshipMaker

Opinionated

1

Head of Sales

It is bullying. No question.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Second meeting was pretty much numbers numbers numbers

lieselfuel

Member

1

Regional Vice President

This is bull crap.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Ha 100%

macnocheese

Personal Narrative

1

Director of Business Development

It's hard to follow someone who can't do the job themselves. If there are performance issues, those are to be addressed directly and on a 1:1. Team motivation comes from encouragement, not beratement. I always say, lead me with a carrot not with a stick. If you give me the stick best believe I'm looking to jump ship.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yes I agree with this. I'm a carrot person too. I mean does stick work on anyone?

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

1

🐺

in the world of sales, motivation should be the fuel that drives us to greatness. But public humiliation? That's not leadership; it's bullying. Let's remember, true leaders inspire, they don't tear down. Keep your chin up and focus on your goals, my friend! 💪🚀

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Thank you! I'm liking other aspects of the role so not planning on going anywhere

TommyShelby

Good Citizen

1

Account Exec

Sounds to me like they may be looking to push people out, rather than have to pay severance.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Ah the Shelby gang leader is here 😁 Funnily enough they removed sevvy so now you won't get much at all whereas before it was a much better package

TommyShelby

Good Citizen

0

Account Exec

Oh jeez. Maybe the VP is just real out of his depth, or catching a lot of heat himself and doesn’t know how to deal with it. Probably both.

1

Retired Sales Professional

Unfortunately this is common. In my opinion the VP should never come down from his ivory tower (as i call it) and point people out in public those that doing well, that is very discouraging to the invidual and to all who are listening. In my opinion many executives (not all) ten to forget the many difficulties an invidual may have because they are no longer as they say, "have boots to the ground". Instead he should have a meeting with managers in order to figure waht is going on and find a solution to the problem. It's not, "we have to many reps in the field" because if you fire people and give the next guy more work they may become overwhelmed. So the real remedy is don't complain as he was doing and find a genuine SOLUTION that will be a win win for both the employer and the backbone of the company the EMPLOYEE.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I don't think you should say it's common, it's almost like making it somehow acceptable? I agree with not firing people. My org has lost so much knowledge in last years it's incredible. And I think frontline sales people know what's wrong so why not schedule 121s as VP to understand those issue... Good thoughts, thanks for commenting.

1

Retired Sales Professional

Pirate, with all due respect I've read the comments that were posted and judging from the responses there are many individuals that either have experienced this or know something or someone who has gone this type of bullying, I myself worked in a couple of companies that had that same MO. But when i stated common I didn't mean exceptable just that it happens in more places then it should and the focus should be on protecting those that are the backbone of all companies and that is the worker. Thanks for feed back. This is a great platform. 👍 👍

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I just think I've heard too many chats today at work people normalizing bad stuff so I guess I got triggered and didn't phrase myself well. My apologies

1

Retired Sales Professional

Pirate, no need to apologies, this platform was created for this sort of stuff. You are entitle to express yourself and from what I've read you seem like a very passionate hard worker. We are all proffessionals and are only trying to help each other through our response. 👍👍 This is all good dialog.

SonnyVaccaro

Good Citizen

1

Growth Lead

It's common for the older generation or a desperate VP of Sales who was never taught any different. If you want to lose engagement on your team, you do this stuff.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Yeah common for old people but he's surrounded by young reps. Was pretty crazy.

1

VP of Sales

This is not how a sales leader should operate at all. It sounds more like they are failing at their job rather than supporting his team members who need his guidance.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Miserably failing ha. Get to meet him in person next week... Yay 😬

ApocalyBoom

Politicker

1

Account Executive

If you have bad credit, people will play the blame game.

pirate

Big Shot

1

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Well he likes to play it for fun

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

1

Director of Revenue

Man, reminds me of this "game" our VP would like to play. He would randomly pick a month out of the year. On the 1st day of that month, he would send a list of all sales people out to the entire org. The only way to get off this list was to book a deal.

And this list would be sent out every single morning to all 1000 for the whole month. By the end of the month, there were usually 5-10 people left on there. No prize for getting off the list, and no punishment for staying on it, just the humiliation of having the entire org know that you haven't booked anything... The whole event was pretty demoralizing for everyone involved.

He had a cute little name for this game, but we all referred to it as "Shit-head's Shit-list"

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Wait what have I just read!! This is worthy of a post. Never have heard of anything like this.

ThatNewAE

Big Shot

1

Account Executive - Mid enterprise

Public humiliation is the worse thing any leader can do. DO BETTER ! Stop with all this and take up 1:1 to see what's up to begin with.

pirate

Big Shot

0

🦜☠️ Account Executive

1:1 with VP so that would be me going over my team lead and director. I did flag it with them

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