Pillar Talk: Building Sales Leadership with Rick Smolen

The Growth Framework that drove a successful IPO with Dan Head

March 08, 2024 Rick Smolen
The Growth Framework that drove a successful IPO with Dan Head
Pillar Talk: Building Sales Leadership with Rick Smolen
More Info
Pillar Talk: Building Sales Leadership with Rick Smolen
The Growth Framework that drove a successful IPO with Dan Head
Mar 08, 2024
Rick Smolen

Welcome to another episode of Pillar Talk with Rick Smolen, where we dive deep into the realms of sales leadership and uncover the strategies that define success.
This episode features Dan Head, the accomplished CEO of Phrasee, sharing his insights that guided from from a seasoned sales leader to CRO, and now CEO.

About Our Guest:

Dan Head has an impressive career trajectory, evolving from senior sales roles at giants like Salesforce and Infor to leading AppBoy through its transformation into Braze and its subsequent IPO triumph. 

Key Discussion Points:

  • Journey of Transformation: Dan’s transition from a CRO to a CEO, highlighting the challenges and milestones of leading a company through rapid growth and an IPO.
  • Salesforce Impact: Insights into how Salesforce's high-velocity environment and operational rigor shaped his sales leadership skills.
  • Leadership Framework: Dan introduces his values and standards of growth pyramid, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic commitment, individual accountability, belief in the product, and aligned intent.
  • Operational Excellence: Exploring the significance of urgency, participation, continuous improvement, and knowing your audience in scaling sales operations effectively.
  • Practical Application: Strategies for embedding these principles into daily operations, ensuring that the leadership vision is operationalized and truly lived within the organization.
  • Mentorship and Impact: The critical role of mentoring in sales, with practical advice on how to elevate one’s impact as a sales leader through education, mentorship, documentation, and coaching.

Dan’s narrative is a masterclass in sales leadership, offering a blend of strategic wisdom and practical advice. His framework provides a roadmap for aspiring leaders eager to escalate their impact and drive their teams to excellence.

Transform your sales leadership approach with the invaluable insights and experiences shared on Pillar Talk with Rick Smolen.


Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

Music by Ben Cina & Ayler Young

Show Notes

Welcome to another episode of Pillar Talk with Rick Smolen, where we dive deep into the realms of sales leadership and uncover the strategies that define success.
This episode features Dan Head, the accomplished CEO of Phrasee, sharing his insights that guided from from a seasoned sales leader to CRO, and now CEO.

About Our Guest:

Dan Head has an impressive career trajectory, evolving from senior sales roles at giants like Salesforce and Infor to leading AppBoy through its transformation into Braze and its subsequent IPO triumph. 

Key Discussion Points:

  • Journey of Transformation: Dan’s transition from a CRO to a CEO, highlighting the challenges and milestones of leading a company through rapid growth and an IPO.
  • Salesforce Impact: Insights into how Salesforce's high-velocity environment and operational rigor shaped his sales leadership skills.
  • Leadership Framework: Dan introduces his values and standards of growth pyramid, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic commitment, individual accountability, belief in the product, and aligned intent.
  • Operational Excellence: Exploring the significance of urgency, participation, continuous improvement, and knowing your audience in scaling sales operations effectively.
  • Practical Application: Strategies for embedding these principles into daily operations, ensuring that the leadership vision is operationalized and truly lived within the organization.
  • Mentorship and Impact: The critical role of mentoring in sales, with practical advice on how to elevate one’s impact as a sales leader through education, mentorship, documentation, and coaching.

Dan’s narrative is a masterclass in sales leadership, offering a blend of strategic wisdom and practical advice. His framework provides a roadmap for aspiring leaders eager to escalate their impact and drive their teams to excellence.

Transform your sales leadership approach with the invaluable insights and experiences shared on Pillar Talk with Rick Smolen.


Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.

Music by Ben Cina & Ayler Young