13 episodes

The "Dear Future CRO" Podcast is made for ambitious sales professionals with their eye on the C-Suite. The show uncovers the secrets of leadership and career success through the journeys of Sales Executives, Sales Leaders, and Sales High Performers who have navigated being the "only" in the room. Each episode dives into personal stories that give listeners the career navigation blueprint on the journey to the top sales job.   With each episode, host and CEO of GrowthQ, Esther Iyamu brings listeners enlightening conversations with trailblazing B2B Enterprise Sales leaders across various sectors, examining the transformative power of mentorship, the importance of fostering passions, and the leadership qualities essential for navigating a successful career in this field. 

Whether you're starting your career, aiming for the C-Suite, or simply seeking to sharpen your leadership skills, the “Dear Future CRO” Podcast promises to inspire, educate, and empower you to realize your potential and lead with intention.

The "Dear Future CRO" Podcast Esther Ayorinde-Iyamu

    • Business

The "Dear Future CRO" Podcast is made for ambitious sales professionals with their eye on the C-Suite. The show uncovers the secrets of leadership and career success through the journeys of Sales Executives, Sales Leaders, and Sales High Performers who have navigated being the "only" in the room. Each episode dives into personal stories that give listeners the career navigation blueprint on the journey to the top sales job.   With each episode, host and CEO of GrowthQ, Esther Iyamu brings listeners enlightening conversations with trailblazing B2B Enterprise Sales leaders across various sectors, examining the transformative power of mentorship, the importance of fostering passions, and the leadership qualities essential for navigating a successful career in this field. 

Whether you're starting your career, aiming for the C-Suite, or simply seeking to sharpen your leadership skills, the “Dear Future CRO” Podcast promises to inspire, educate, and empower you to realize your potential and lead with intention.

    The Power of Networking: Marjorie Martin's Key to Professional Advancement

    The Power of Networking: Marjorie Martin's Key to Professional Advancement

    Welcome to the "Dear Future CRO Podcast" powered by GrowthQ. In this episode, we are honored to have  Marjorie Martin as our guest. Marjorie is an expert in technology sales, who started her career unexpectedly at VMware and is now the Area Vice President of Enterprise at Juniper.
    During this episode, we will learn about Marjorie's inspiring journey, and how she overcame challenges, led teams, and changed careers. Marjorie will share her experiences on how she leads, networks, and helps teams succeed in the ever-changing world of the tech industry.
    We will explore the importance of a non-linear career and authentic expression, as Marjorie reveals how these elements have been instrumental to her growth, from public speaking engagements to key roles at major companies like Google. Marjorie will also discuss how she overcame challenges, embraced curiosity, and developed strong communication skills. Her insights are vital for those looking to lead with empathy and strategic insight.
    Join us for this powerful session filled with actionable advice, as the talk unfolds between  GrowthQ CEO, Esther 🌱 (Iyamu) Ayorinde (ENFP) and Marjorie about navigating the path to CRO with determination and authenticity.


    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 35 min
    Chris Richardson on the Power of Authenticity and Leading with Empathy

    Chris Richardson on the Power of Authenticity and Leading with Empathy

    Hello and welcome to the "Dear Future CRO Podcast" powered by GrowthQ. In this episode, we’re honored to host Chris Richardson, Cloud Transformation Sales Leader at Google Cloud - a luminary in sales and go-to-market strategy. Renowned for his  engaging personality, Chris is not only recognized within his professional sphere but also sought after as a speaker. He inspires others by sharing insights on how experiences, even the traumatic or difficult ones, can be the catalyst for success and growth.
    Chris’s story resonates widely, reminding us that the path to accomplishment is often paved with the bricks of perseverance and the courage to use life’s trials as fuel for our aspirations.
    Get ready to explore the importance of a non-linear career and authentic expression as Chris reveals how these elements have been instrumental to his growth, from public speaking engagements to key roles at major companies like Google. Chris shares his experiences with overcoming challenges, embracing curiosity, and the crucial development of strong communication skills. His insights are vital for those looking to lead with empathy and strategic insight.
    Join us for this powerful session filled with actionable advice, as the talk unfolds between  GrowthQ CEO, Esther 🌱 (Iyamu) Ayorinde (ENFP) and Chris  while he imparts the wisdom of navigating the path to CRO with determination and authenticity. 


    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 36 min
    Leadership and Learning with Umesh Lakshman: A Guide for Aspiring CROs

    Leadership and Learning with Umesh Lakshman: A Guide for Aspiring CROs

    Welcome to Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ. In this episode, our exclusive guest Umesh Lakshman, Vice President, Solutions Architecture, National Mid-Markets and Channels at Lumen Technologies, dove deep into the transformative power of mentorship, continuous learning, and the art of delivering value by truly understanding customer needs. 

    Umesh brings to the table a passion for mentorship and the extraordinary impact it has on shaping career paths. With an emphasis on continuous learning, Umesh shares how he leverages online platforms to stay ahead of the curve.
    In this heart-to-heart with GrowthQ CEO, Esther 🌱 (Iyamu) Ayorinde (ENFP) , we’ll explore Umesh's unique approach to job interviews, the value of building relationships, and his insights into navigating cultural landscapes within the first crucial 90 days of a new role. He also discloses his strategies on networking, continuous education, and the importance of understanding customer-centric solutions beyond pure selling—an ethos that reflects the evolving shift from hardware to a predominantly software and services model within the tech industry.
    Join us as Umesh recounts career-defining moments, the transition to leadership, the pivotal shift after two decades with a technological powerhouse, and the lessons learned from his inaugural year leading a team. It's an episode replete with advice for future CROs, stressing the significance of embracing our identity as a superpower to unlock our fullest potential and empower others.


    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 33 min
    Kathy Saye’s Guide for Aspiring Leaders and Working Parents

    Kathy Saye’s Guide for Aspiring Leaders and Working Parents

    Welcome to the Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ. In our latest episode, Kathy Saye, an exemplary leader from Cisco, shared profound insights on authentic relationship-building, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, and the art of balancing personal and professional life. She unveiled the secret behind transitioning from sales to leadership, emphasizing that it's not about the titles but the impact we create.

    Kathy's wisdom on mentorship, prioritizing life's glass balls over the plastic ones, and her unique zigzag career path, was not just inspiring but a strategic blueprint for aspiring leaders. GrowthQ CEO Esther 🌱 (Iyamu) Ayorinde (ENFP) and Kathy explored the dynamics of diverse team leadership, the applicability of the DISC personality assessment, and the power of genuineness in maintaining partner relationships. Kathy's journey from a fresh Carnegie Mellon graduate to a role model at Cisco unveils lessons on career navigation, the balance between building a business and nurturing people, and the embracing of professional pivots.
    The episode promises to enlighten future Chief Revenue Officers and any professional striving for growth, as Kathy offers her seasoned perspective on risk-taking and career exploration. 


    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 34 min
    Unlocking Your Potential: Strategies from Katharina Matsui's Rise to SVP of Sales

    Unlocking Your Potential: Strategies from Katharina Matsui's Rise to SVP of Sales

    Welcome to the Dear Future CRO Podcast, where we unlock the secrets to career growth with industry experts in Sales.  This episode is a compelling conversation with Katharina Matsui, a mastermind in the sales landscape and the global SVP of sales for One Trust. Against the conventional, Katharina proved doubters wrong about her ability to deliver professionally in leadership roles with her unconventional background. 

    The episode highlights an honest conversation filled with anecdotes about recognizing one's affinity for sales, navigating career challenges with a non-traditional background, and the significance of trusting your intuition when building a vision aligned with your career goals.
    Esther 🌱 Ayorinde (ENFP) and Katharina  also discuss the delicate balancing act of work and motherhood, the benefits of her multilingual capabilities in a global role, and the importance of adaptability and operational excellence in her varied responsibilities.
    So join us as we unpack Katharina's invaluable advice for rising professionals, her approach to stakeholder partnerships, the necessity of a solid support system, and how she turned her learning limitations into a career that plays to her strengths.



    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 34 min
    DEAR FUTURE CRO | Ep 001 | by Culture Crunch x GrowthQ - Paula Hansen

    DEAR FUTURE CRO | Ep 001 | by Culture Crunch x GrowthQ - Paula Hansen

    Welcome to the #DearFutureCRO Podcast, where today we’ve had the inspiring Paula Hansen sharing her wisdom on rising through the ranks to become a Chief Revenue Officer. She’s reminded us of the power of mentorship across all career stages, the vital role of sponsorship in unlocking potential, and the significance of building a diverse team committed to growth. Paula’s journey from engineering to leading sales at Alteryx showcases the blend of continuous learning and customer connection. Her advice to future CROs? Invest in people, champion diverse talents, and always nurture your relationships. Tune in to grow, connect, and lead right alongside the trailblazers of today. Remember, your future as a CRO starts with the steps you take today, so keep learning, connecting, and advocating for change.
    Dear Future CRO Season 1 was brought to you in collaboration with Hunters and Unicorns x Culture Crunch.
    GrowthQ's mission is to break down silos of tacit knowledge to close the wage and leadership gaps for B2B sales professionals everywhere who are the “only in the room”. This is done through our Community, our Content, and our Career Development Resources.

    To find out more about GrowthQ or to join our community of B2B Enterprise Sales Professionals

    Go to our Website: https://www.growthq.co/
    Follow us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthq

    • 46 min

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