Welcome to another episode of 8 With a Great! Today, we’re joined by Mike Elliott, a seasoned sales leader hailing from Toronto, Ontario. Mike’s journey into sales leadership was anything but typical—after 12 years of crushing it as an individual contributor, he was unexpectedly thrust into management at Meltwater. While he initially hesitated, Mike embraced the challenge, using it as an opportunity to push beyond his comfort zone and grow as a leader.

In this episode, Mike shares how he prepared for the transition by diving into books like The Sales Development Playbook and Leadership Strategy and Tactics, and how podcasts and constant feedback helped shape his leadership style. He’ll take us through his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the power of servant leadership, empathy, and involving the team in key decisions.

Mike also opens up about the challenges he faced, from balancing short-term targets with long-term strategy to navigating the complexities of managing people. You’ll hear about his “sales leadership superpower”—humility and vulnerability—and get his valuable advice for new leaders.

This is an episode packed with insights, so get ready to learn from a true sales pro who leads with heart and strategy. Let’s dive in!