Derek Grant on qualities every great sales leader should possess

Radically Transparent Published: April 29, 2021
Derek Grant on qualities every great sales leader should possess

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Episode summary

Sales people. There are a variety of different backgrounds and styles. Each sales professional has learned different methodologies and ways to be productive. Yet, in 2021, there is no universal professional track for sellers to grow themselves professionally. Why?

Tackling the above and more, noted creator of company culture, speaker and sales expert Derek Grant of Salesloft delivers a hearty serving of perspective on the modern-day sales leader.

He shares what it takes to build a stellar company culture and how to lead with visibility. He dives into why being intentional matters and how social selling fits into his strategy. Derek even shares a story being “value shamed” by his team and the importance of being called out as a leader.

Sales and marketing professionals at all levels will find value in Derek’s interview. He has a knack for storytelling as he shares his tips for holding people accountable as a leader and so much more!

Meet Derek Grant

During the last 6 years at SalesLoft, Derek has served as the leader of Commercial Sales, Account Management & SDR teams, helping define GTM strategy for all 3.

Prior to SalesLoft, Derek led the Pardot Sales team for 7 years through the journey from a pre-revenue, bootstrapped startup through 2 years at Salesforce as part of their 3.2B ExactTarget acquisition.

Like what you heard?

Radically Transparent is one of Oktopost’s popular original podcast shows famous for asking renowned modern day marketers and sales leaders to expose what keeps them up at night, professionally and so much more!

New episodes air every Thursday on B2B Marketing Now, the #1 podcast channel for the modern-day marketer on the internet. Bringing the world’s top B2B marketing experts to you. Catch all episodes here.

For more mind-blowing conversations and to keep up with the show everyone is talking about this year, subscribe to B2B Marketing Now for free wherever you listen to podcasts or catch us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or follow Oktopost on LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can B2B sales leaders cultivate a strong company culture?

Expert Derek Grant emphasizes leading with visibility, intentionality, and creating an environment where leaders can be called out for growth. A stellar culture involves fostering accountability and valuing input from the team.

Why is a universal professional development track missing for B2B sales professionals?

The podcast highlights that despite various backgrounds and methodologies, there is currently no universal professional track for B2B sellers to grow professionally. This underscores the need for leaders to intentionally guide individual growth.

How does social selling contribute to a successful B2B sales strategy?

According to sales expert Derek Grant, social selling is an integral component of his overall strategy. It fits into an intentional approach to sales leadership, enhancing visibility and engagement in the modern B2B landscape.

What role does accountability play in modern B2B sales leadership?

Accountability is crucial for effective B2B sales leadership. Derek Grant shares insights on holding people accountable, and even experiencing 'value shaming' from his team, highlighting the importance of leaders being open to feedback and challenge.

What defines an intentional leadership approach in B2B sales?

An intentional leadership approach in B2B sales involves leading with visibility, clearly defining strategy, and actively fostering professional growth within the team. This mindset ensures purpose-driven decision-making and aligns with modern sales leadership principles.

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