The phrase “Kill Your Darlings,” attributed to writer William Faulkner, is a piece of advice given to authors that suggests cutting the parts of a story or novel that they love the most. The idea is that these "darlings" often hinder the overall flow, clarity, or effectiveness of the piece. In a business context, the concept translates well. We often hold on to projects, products, or services that we’re emotionally attached to, despite evidence that they may be draining resources or no longer serving the overall goals of the company.

When I looked at the bigger picture, I realized that while the Full Funnel Freedom show had been incredibly valuable and rewarding, it wasn’t helping me move toward my ultimate goal—helping my clients scale their sales and achieve their ideal exits. To focus more effectively on supporting them, I made the tough decision to “kill my darling” and end the podcast. Letting go of something I’ve invested in emotionally and professionally wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to free up time and energy for the things that will drive my business and clients forward. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even our most cherished projects can hold us back from what really matters.

What you'll learn:

• How do you identify which projects or services are no longer serving your long-term goals?
• What is the process for evaluating the value versus the burden of current business offerings?
• How can the “Kill Your Darlings” mindset help leaders make tough but necessary decisions for growth?

Thank you for listening.

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

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Understanding what truly motivates employees is the key to unlocking top performance. While many organizations focus on achieving business goals, the real secret lies in aligning the company’s objectives with the personal aspirations of employees. It’s no longer enough to push for corporate success as the primary driver—employees want to see how their work contributes to their own life goals. Leaders who acknowledge and foster this connection between personal desires and professional roles tap into an intrinsic motivation that can drive exceptional results. By focusing on what employees care about most—their lifestyle, income, and personal growth—leaders can inspire teams to consistently perform at their best.

Phil Putnam, a workshop leader, business strategy consultant, and speaker, has built a career on helping companies maximize performance through human-first strategies. With over two decades of experience working with brands like Adobe, Apple, Bloomberg, and Salesforce, Phil believes that employee motivation is not just about corporate success, but also about aligning personal life goals with work responsibilities. His new book, Desire-Based Leadership, which will be released on October 15, offers a deep dive into how leaders can harness this concept to improve employee satisfaction and performance. Phil was previously featured in episode 146.

Click Here to pre-order Phil's book Desire-Based Leadership

What you'll learn:

• How can leaders align their company's goals with the personal desires of their employees to drive motivation?
• What are the long-term business benefits of focusing on employee satisfaction over constant hiring and replacements?
• How can the LIFE Motivation Discovery Model help leaders better understand and maintain employee motivation?

Resources:

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

Fathom: https://fathom.video/invite/72CZPA

Humanic: https://app.humantic.ai/login/?referral_code=HamishKnox_SA

In the complex world of enterprise and B2B sales, the importance of following a structured process cannot be overstated. Discovery, often underemphasized, plays a pivotal role in identifying not only the problems customers face but also the best solutions tailored to their needs. A disciplined approach to discovery helps sales professionals dig beyond surface-level concerns and better understand the true impact, economics, and urgency behind a prospect's problem. Without a solid framework, discovery quickly devolves into an interrogation, making it harder to build trust and uncover the real motivators behind a deal. Structuring discovery around a clear process allows sales leaders to forecast deals more accurately and optimize the path to closing with minimal friction.

Don Hicks brings over two decades of sales expertise to his role as the Area VP of Sales for Venture Employer Solutions. Before venturing into the world of sales, Don served eight years in the United States Marine Corps, where he earned the distinguished honor of Marine of the Year. Transitioning into sales, he started his career selling life insurance and mortgages, eventually moving into enterprise software and HR services. As a sales leader, Don focuses on coaching, training, and deal strategy, using his experience to guide his team of two leaders and 30 sales professionals toward consistent success. His superpower? Turning a deep understanding of discovery into a tool for sales excellence.

What you'll learn:

• Why is having a structured process for discovery essential in enterprise sales?
• What specific framework can sales leaders use to improve their team's discovery process and deal strategy?
• How does focusing on buyer problems over personal sales goals change the trajectory of a sale?

Resources:

• Buyer First: Grow Your Business with Collaborative Selling - by Carole Mahoney
• The JOLT Effect: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision - by Matthew Dixon, Ted McKenna

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Connect with Hamish on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamishknox/

Meet Hamish at a Sandler Summit: https://www.hamish.sandler.com/orlando

Fathom: https://fathom.video/invite/72CZPA

Humanic: https://app.humantic.ai/login/?referral_code=HamishKnox_SA