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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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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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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In today’s fast-paced B2B landscape, marketing and sales can no longer operate in isolation. Both functions have different strengths, but when combined, they create a powerful, customer-centric force that drives results. Marketing builds the brand’s story and awareness, while sales directly engages with customers to convert opportunities into revenue. A collaborative relationship between the two functions ensures a seamless customer experience, removes barriers to conversion, and produces a more unified approach to solving customer challenges. The real magic happens when sales and marketing work in sync—sharing insights, addressing objections in unison, and refining product offerings based on real-time feedback from prospects.

Christian Klepp, co-founder and director of client engagement at Einblick Consulting, brings over 13 years of experience in B2B branding, marketing, and communications. Having worked with industry giants such as Caterpillar, Henkel, and Logitech, Christian’s extensive global experience across Europe, Asia, and North America has helped him master the art of aligning marketing and sales for greater success. His firm helps B2B tech and SaaS companies discover and leverage their unique competitive edge, driving lead generation and revenue growth.

What you'll learn:

• How can marketing and sales teams collaborate to overcome common barriers and improve conversion rates?
• What are the most effective strategies for aligning marketing and sales in large B2B organizations?
• How can marketing help sales teams better handle customer objections and close more deals?

Resources:

• Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money - by Ken Honda
• Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen - by Donald Miller
• Think, Do, Say: How to Seize Attention and Build Trust in a Busy, Busy World - by Ron Tite

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In today’s fast-paced sales environment, facts and figures alone are not enough to close deals. Storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool to build connections, engage prospects, and convert leads into clients. Effective stories enable salespeople to highlight solutions in a way that addresses customer pain points and taps into emotions. By crafting relatable narratives, sales professionals can guide prospects through the decision-making process with clarity, presenting themselves as trustworthy and solutions-driven. Storytelling helps sales leaders empower their teams to communicate not just the "what" and "how" but also the "why" that resonates with customers.

Kyle Gray is an expert in this art. A presentation coach, story strategist, and author, Kyle has a wealth of experience in helping leaders, coaches, and executives articulate their value through storytelling. From his days as a musician to becoming a storyteller for startups and consultants, Kyle has mastered the skill of transforming abstract concepts into compelling, relatable messages. His work enables professionals to present their solutions in a way that not only informs but captivates and drives action.

What you'll learn:

• How do you craft a story that resonates with your buyer's challenges?
• How can you shift from technical details to an emotional narrative that leads to a sale?
• What are the most common mistakes salespeople make when telling stories, and how can they avoid them?

Resources:

• Selling With Story: How To Use Storytelling To Become An Authority, Boost Sales, And Win The Hearts and Minds of Your Audience - by Kyle Gray
• The Story Engine: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Content Strategy and Brand Storytelling Without Spending All Day Writing - by Kyle Gray
• The Story Engine Podcast

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As a sales leader, it's critical to elevate your team's confidence. Your success doesn't solely rest on strategies or tools but on your ability to develop confident salespeople who can face setbacks and still persist. By reinforcing their mental toughness, you'll not only enable your team to overcome obstacles but also build a culture of resilience that drives long-term sales success. Confidence fuels performance, allowing your sales team to believe in themselves, take risks, and engage with prospects more effectively.

Matt Phillips, a leadership and confidence coach, has honed his expertise through a unique blend of sports and business experiences. A former Division I and professional baseball player, Matt transitioned from competitive athletics to the corporate world, where he held roles in accounting, business development, and operations. Today, he coaches business leaders on how to develop mental toughness and lead with confidence, helping them boost their teams’ performance by leveraging resilience and emotional control.

What you'll learn:

• How can sales leaders overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt to lead effectively?
• What practical steps can sales teams take to build confidence in high-pressure situations?
• How does emotional control contribute to long-term sales success?

Resources:

• Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel – A book offering practical actions for shifting your mindset and improving mental toughness.

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

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Change management is crucial in sales departments because it ensures that transitions are smooth, minimizes disruption, and enhances overall performance. When sales teams are asked to adapt to new processes, tools, or strategies, the success of these changes often hinges on how well the transition is managed, not just the change itself. Effective change management addresses the human element—helping team members move from denial and resistance to exploration and commitment. By understanding and supporting these transitions, leaders can foster an environment where changes are not only accepted but embraced, leading to sustained improvement in sales outcomes.

What you'll learn:

• What are the key stages of transition that sales teams go through during a change initiative?
• How can leaders identify and manage resistance to change within their sales teams?
• What strategies can ensure that change initiatives in sales departments are successful and avoid common pitfalls?

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In the world of sales, curiosity isn’t just a trait—it's a critical component of success. Extreme curiosity allows sales professionals to dig deeper, uncover hidden needs, and truly understand their clients' challenges. This deep understanding enables salespeople to offer solutions that aren't just off the shelf but are tailored to the specific pain points of their clients. When you approach every interaction with a genuine desire to learn and understand, you're not just selling a product—you're providing value that resonates on a deeper level. This approach not only builds trust but also sets the stage for long-term relationships that are beneficial for both parties. Sales isn't just about hitting targets; it's about asking the right questions, challenging assumptions, and being willing to explore new possibilities with your clients.

Neil Harkins is the Chief Sales Officer at Impala, where he brings his unique approach to sales—a blend of creativity, resilience, and a passion for finding the right market fit. With a career that spans over a decade, Neil has built and transformed revenue teams in both Europe and the U.S., particularly in the nonprofit sector. His journey began at Experian, where he cut his teeth in a high-pressure telesales environment, learning the ropes through sheer tenacity and a positive mindset. Over the years, Neil's career has evolved, taking him from large corporations like Salesforce to startups where he thrives in the challenge of creating predictable revenue streams in new and uncertain markets. His work with nonprofits, driven by the belief that even a small improvement in effectiveness can change the world, has cemented his reputation as a leader who cares deeply about the impact of his work and the success of his clients.

What you'll learn:

• How can extreme curiosity in sales lead to better understanding and meeting client needs?
• What are the critical steps in balancing product-market fit with building a predictable revenue stream?
• How can sales leaders effectively manage early-stage sales teams without falling into the trap of micromanaging?

We want to hear from you!

Sales leaders: What are the challenges you are faced with? Would you like some ideas on how to solve them? Hamish will shortly be releasing our first "Listener questions" episode and we want to hear from you! What's the burning question you want an answer to? What do you think of the show? Whatever your questions, comment on social media or email us at the address below, and we will possibly add your questions to future episodes.

Please submit your questions at: https://share.hsforms.com/1bauMW6liRNKbrZR0w6FPNwbn9ta

Resources:

• Impala - https://impala.digital/
• The Mom Test: How to Talk to Customers & Learn If Your Business Is a Good Idea When Everyone Is Lying to You - by Rob Fitzpatrick

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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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