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Back to #7 — Hannah Willson — Leading Within the Org, with Hannah Willson.

Who Is Rainforest QA Sales Leader Hannah Willson?

Hannah Willson is the executive James Beshara interviews on Below the Line. He introduces her as a mother who moved from a large public company into fast-moving startups, and as a neighbor whose family is friends with his in San Francisco. At the time of the recording she was VP of sales at Rainforest QA. They talk about holding motherhood and an executive job at once, what makes a good salesperson and a poor sales leader, and a meditation habit she had just started. She says she nearly talked herself out of coming on, because being in front of an audience feels vulnerable.

Transcript

#7 — Hannah Willson — Leading Within the Org ·

Below the Line with James Beshara

More from this episode

  1. Why Does Hannah Willson Say Trust Matters More Than Looking Perfect?Hannah Willson says the executive job is building trust.
  2. What Are Some Qualities of High Caliber ExecutivesIt is people who take an investment in the people that work for them.
  3. What Is the Cost of AttritionAttrition can be looked at as how many days it takes to train someone, to hire someone, etc.
  4. Why Does Hannah Willson Say a Sales Layoff Hits So Hard?Hannah Willson, later VP of sales at Rainforest QA, says losing a sales job is crushing even when the reason is fit or family rather than a bad quarter.
  5. How Does Hannah Willson Pull a Salesperson Out of a Slump?Hannah Willson, VP of sales at Rainforest QA, says a slump feels like losing control, so people blame the calls, the product, and everyone around them.
  6. What Is a Key Piece of Executive Leadership AdviceExecutive leadership is very tactical. Recruiting is critical and is as important as spending time with current team members.
  7. What Is the Role of Feedback in LeadershipFeedback is very much a part of the working environment and offers great benefits.
  8. What Characteristics of a Great Salesperson Can Work Against Someone as a ParentTo be the best, one simply cannot do everything. One cannot have it all. It is possible for moms to be good moms and still work.
  9. What Are Some of the Contrasts of Working for a Startup vs. a Larger Established CompanyWithin a smaller company, leaders MUST take ownership and make things happen.
  10. How Does Hannah Willson Sort Decisions at Rainforest QA?Hannah Willson, then VP of sales at Rainforest QA, says Fred, the company's CEO, taught her to judge a decision by its magnitude.

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