In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya sits down with Connor Delaney, Lead Sales Consultant at Impact, to discuss his Journey from leading a college marketing association to becoming a successful sales consultant. Connor shares insights on empathetic selling, the parallels between athletics and business, and maintaining work-life satisfaction.
Connor Delaney
- Current Role: Lead Sales Consultant at Impact
- Previous Role: Director of Revenue Operations
- Background: Transformed a struggling college marketing chapter into a nationally recognized organization
- Notable Experience: Former intern at BIC in sales analytics and shaver innovation
Key Highlights
- 🏆 How Connor transformed a dying college marketing chapter into a top 5 nationally recognized organization
- 🌍 Experience working with global teams at BIC and insights on international business perspectives
- 📈 Journey through various roles at Impact, from content trainer to RevOps to sales consultant
- 🤝 The importance of empathy in sales and building genuine customer relationships
- 🏃♂️ Parallels Between Athletic Training and Professional Development
- 🐕 Lessons learned from dog training that apply to client relationships
Notable Quotes
- "Finding moments of empathy within your sales conversation... that's when you build trust with a customer. That's when you show them that you're here to help them, not here to help yourself." - Connor Delaney.
- "I'm a big believer in luck, which is a huge component of success, but you have to put yourself in position for things to fall into place." - Connor Delaney.
Key Takeaways
On Sales Success:
- Listen actively and find moments for empathy
- Don't be afraid to tell prospects they're not a good fit
- Build trust through authentic conversations
On Professional Growth:
- Be willing to take on different roles and learn new skills
- Put in the work before expecting rewards
- Recognize when to step up and when to step back
On Work-Life Balance:
- Focus on work-life satisfaction rather than perfect balance
- Communicate clearly about commitments and needs
- Schedule regular check-ins with partners and colleagues
Career Advice for Young Professionals
- Don't expect opportunities to land in your lap - put in the work first
- Learn to communicate needs and feelings effectively
- Find the right balance between confidence and humility
Resources Mentioned