Grit SVP Salesforce, Mike Wolff: Tips for Becoming a More Effective Sales Leader
Mar 29, 2021
50:57
After 18+ years working in multiple high-level sales positions at Salesforce, Mike Wolff knows what makes a good leader.
On this week’s episode of Go To Market Grit, Mike and Joubin talk about the leadership lessons Mike learned as he rose through the ranks at Salesforce from a sales development rep to the company’s Senior Vice President of Global ISV Partners.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Mike landed a job as a sales development rep at Salesforce during the company's early stages in 2002. (1:13)
- The factors that led to Salesforce’s rapid growth in the early 2000s. (9:02)
- The interview methods Mike uses when hiring salespeople. (16:19)
- How Mike ended up in sales leadership after working as an individual contributor. (19:39)
- The importance for a business to be constantly adapting. (22:40)
- How dealing with difficult personal experiences can make you a better and more resilient person. (26:00)
- The importance of having clear values as a business and an individual. (30:33)
- Authenticity, transparency and communication: The leadership values Mike tries to embody. (34:44)
- 'Your team is always watching you': Why leaders need to stay even-keeled and focused. (41:01)
- Why Mike conducts a 'chronological interview' when hiring salespeople. (43:32)
- How Mike defines grit. (49:02)
Links:
- Connect with Mike
- Connect with Joubin
- Learn more about Kleiner Perkins