I'm an AE and looking to become a sales leader one day. Would love to know what a great sales manager/leader looks like. Any stories to share?
What does your sales manager do that makes him/her great?
20
13 comments
Sort by:
Best
1nbatopshotfan
Politicker
+6
Senior Director, Enterprise Technology
Actually caring about the person and personal matters a lot. Data driven is great, but knowing what I’m balancing at home etc is huge.
SaaSguy
Tycoon
+10
Account Executive
Give credit when its due. Sometimes a little pat on the back can be motivating!
UserNotFound
Politicker
+10
Account Executive
Best manager I ever had stayed out of my way, helped when I asked, and proactively asked what I wanted out of my career and helped me reverse engineer how to get there. I’ve yet to encounter someone who understood leadership as well as he did, and I can’t wait until I do find it again!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
+5
Sales Executive
Sounds a lot like my favorite manager. I hope some day I get to work with her again.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
+5
Sales Executive
A great manager builds a relationship with each AE built on trust. This means that the AE can trust the manager to have his/her back but also means that the manager trusts that the job will get done, that AEs will work hard and communicate.
The best managers I've had are collaborative; they encourage the AEs to work in their own style, but can provide guidance, advice and support. They'll hop on the phone to sell the terms internally and then hop on the phone for executive alignment and to move the deal along.
A great manager is one who knows their stuff, has done the job, could do the job again, but enables you to do the job yourself and be successful.
The best managers I've had are collaborative; they encourage the AEs to work in their own style, but can provide guidance, advice and support. They'll hop on the phone to sell the terms internally and then hop on the phone for executive alignment and to move the deal along.
A great manager is one who knows their stuff, has done the job, could do the job again, but enables you to do the job yourself and be successful.
ExtremeVibeChecker44
Arsonist
+6
Inside Sales
Constructive criticism. Being a backstop on calls.
washedD1soccer
Politicker
+4
Regional Sales Manager
They don’t micromanage me and trust that I can close deals without constantly checking in
Beanss
Fire Starter
+4
Account Executive
Mine goes out and sources new business for us. He’s in the trenches with the rest of us. Total respect for a leader like that.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
+13
Senior Account Executive
Communication and clear direction. Supportive, yet not micromanaging.
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
+8
Account Executive
Not micro managing me
PleaseAdvise
Opinionated
+4
Account Executive
I love my direct manager. Some things that make him great:
-clearly establishes what’s important in his eyes (and our upper mngmt’s eyes)
-understands each rep’s strengths and weaknesses
-professional but also fun
-truly cares about us as people
-stays out of our personal lives (i.e. never asks about why we take PTO)
-actively helps us grow in our role
-Is real. Knows that we’re not gonna be on his team forever
-clearly establishes what’s important in his eyes (and our upper mngmt’s eyes)
-understands each rep’s strengths and weaknesses
-professional but also fun
-truly cares about us as people
-stays out of our personal lives (i.e. never asks about why we take PTO)
-actively helps us grow in our role
-Is real. Knows that we’re not gonna be on his team forever
JohnnyDamone
Fire Starter
+2
AE Inside Sales
My manager is literally the best. He has constructive 1 on 1s, goes through my deals, hops on discovery and helps me in demos and closing. Legit tbh
StickToTheProcess
WR Officer
+7
AE
Nada. Nothing has changed since they started except we have more internal meetings. It sucks.
Related posts
44
Welcome to the Bravado War Room
An exclusive Sales Community for the
Best Sales Professionals.
*Upon sign up we require LinkedIn Authentication to verify that you are a sales professional.
Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.
© 2022 Bravado Inc. All rights reserved.
