What A Head Of Global SDR At A Linkedin Top Startup Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Sales Industry
Iain, a Head of Global SDR, learned that leadership roles, contrary to initial expectations, are often "a s**t show" with less preparedness than anticipated. The most valuable skill, a "rigorous decision-making compass," is more crucial than prior experience, as "most people are making it up every day."
Leadership, Decision-Making, Management, Problem-Solving, Executive
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Iain Rodoni
Head of Global SDR
Linkedin Top StartUp
UCSB
N/A
Biology & Related Sciences
Technology
Sales and Client Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. The higher up you go in organizations, the more unpredictable and less planned things become due to increased workload.
2. Effective decision-making is crucial for leadership roles; a 'decision-making compass' and first-principle thinking are valuable skills.
3. Don't be afraid to admit that no one has all the answers, and many leaders are improvising daily. Focus on building a strong decision-making framework instead of solely relying on prior experience.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I was talking to my boss about this the other day. I'm in a leadership or management role, and I thought that leaders and managers had the best, bulletproof plan of all time.
In reality, the higher up you go in organizations, the more of a "shit show" it is. People are less prepared because they're busier.
The best thing I wish someone told me is that you don't need to have done it before. You need a rigorous decision-making compass and first-principle philosophies around how to make decisions.
As a leader, all you do is make decisions. Your value is a direct outcome of how good your decisions are.
Instead of trying to figure out how I'm supposed to do something I've never been in this position before, I wish I'd built out the decision-making compass a bit faster. I wish I'd acknowledged that no one really knows what they're doing and most people are making it up every day.