Former COO of LinkedIn, Dan Shapero, discusses his career journey, the future of sales leadership, and the changing dynamics of sales. He shares insights on being an effective salesperson, the importance of problem-solving and partnership with customers, and the qualities leaders should possess. The podcast also delves into assessing salespeople, designing for long-term success, and the meaning of grit in entrepreneurship and personal growth.
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Quick takeaways
Talent acquisition and retention are crucial for building a high-performing organization.
Prioritizing continuous learning enhances career growth and advancement.
Building a positive company culture requires hiring individuals who align with company values and fostering collaboration and teamwork.
Deep dives
Talent: Talent is the competitive advantage in most companies
Talent is the key driver of success and competitive advantage in most companies. The ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent is crucial for building a high-performing organization.
Talent: People that learn the fastest tend to get the best jobs
Continuous learning and the ability to quickly acquire new skills and knowledge is a key factor in career growth and advancement. Those who prioritize learning and constantly seek opportunities to develop themselves are more likely to secure top positions.
Culture: Culture is defined by who you hire, who you fire, and who you let go
The culture of an organization is ultimately shaped by the people it hires, retains, and lets go. Hiring individuals who align with the values and vision of the company and creating a supportive and inclusive environment is crucial for building a positive company culture.
Culture: Celebrating collaboration and teamwork
Recognizing and celebrating examples of collaboration, teamwork, and inclusive behavior can help foster a culture that values cooperation and shared success. By highlighting individuals who actively contribute to the team and demonstrate a collaborative mindset, companies can reinforce the importance of teamwork within their culture.
Designing for the long term: Multidisciplinary experience and versatility
Having a diverse skill set and experience across multiple disciplines can be highly valuable in today's business environment. The ability to effectively work and communicate with different teams and functions allows for better collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. Being able to bridge the gaps between different areas of expertise can enhance overall performance and drive long-term success.
Imagine taking a company like LinkedIn to a billion dollars in sales in just a few years, only to leave at the top of your game to rebuild your career and pursue a different path in product.
That’s exactly what Dan Shapero did — and in this episode of Go to Market Grit, he explains his perspective, along with some can’t-miss insight on business and leadership.Joubin and Dan discuss two key topics including the future of sales leadership and go to market leadership.
In this episode of Go to Market Grit, we cover:
Dan’s career journey from his undergrad at Johns Hopkins University to chief business officer of LinkedIn. Dan also talks about his early difficult experiences working for startups, and the lessons that he learned.
How Dan landed a dream job working for LinkedIn, and took the company to $1 billion in revenue in roughly four years.
The defining moment that led Dan to change his career path and go into product development.
What it takes to be an effective salesperson, and an effective sales leader.
Why the role of a salesperson is increasingly becoming a problem solver in partnership with the customer to help them move forward.
New dynamics that are occurring in sales today.
How selling is becoming more of a team sport than it was in the past.
The three pillars that sales leaders should always think about.
The number one skill that a leader should have, according to Dan.
Why an effective organization carries a lot of traits of its leader.
The concept of living life as a victim, versus living life as an active player — and why Dan chooses to live life in the player state.