Lessons in Leadership, Humility, and Impact
Today, we dive into insights from Ping Del Giudice, Vice President of Revenue Operations at Leapsome, as she shares her journey of navigating imposter syndrome, prioritizing impact, and leading with humility.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Hidden Strength
Even seasoned leaders like Ping Del Giudice grapple with imposter syndrome. When starting a new role, it's natural to feel uncertain. However, Ping views this self-doubt as a positive force. Instead of letting it paralyze you, leverage it to fuel curiosity, continuous learning, and open-mindedness. This mindset is particularly crucial in RevOps, where the nuances of each company demand adaptability and keen observation.
Key Insight: Embrace imposter syndrome as a tool for humility and growth. By acknowledging what you don’t know, you open yourself up to learning from others, which is vital for making informed decisions and building trust with your team.
Prioritizing Projects: Impact vs. Effort
Revenue operations is often a mix of inherited systems and new initiatives. On her second day at AppViewX, Ping was thrown into the deep end, taking on a high-stakes project. To manage the overwhelm, she prioritized projects based on two criteria: low-hanging fruit and their potential impact on annual recurring revenue (ARR). This dual focus ensures quick wins while also addressing long-term goals.
Key Strategies for Prioritization:
Low-Hanging Fruit: Identify quick wins that can demonstrate early value and build momentum.
Impact on ARR: Focus on initiatives that directly contribute to revenue growth. This keeps your team aligned with the company’s financial goals.
Team Feedback: Regularly gather insights from your team to understand what processes are working and where improvements are needed.
Ping also stresses the importance of aligning these priorities with cross-functional teams to avoid silos and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Building Relationships: The Power of Listening
Leadership in RevOps isn’t just about implementing systems; it’s about fostering collaboration. Ping emphasizes the importance of listening—both to her team and cross-functional partners. Early in her role, she conducted extensive interviews with team members to understand their pain points and gather feedback. This approach not only helps identify issues but also builds trust and rapport.
Key Insight: Establish yourself as an ally by actively listening and showing genuine interest in the experiences and challenges of others. This will help break down silos and create a more cohesive operational strategy.
Communication: Aligning Teams for Success
Effective communication is a cornerstone of RevOps. Ping recommends documenting everything—from initial assessments to long-term plans—and sharing these documents widely. Her approach to communication involves creating detailed 90-day plans, aligning them with her manager and team, and ensuring that all cross-functional partners are informed.
Best Practices for Communication:
Regular Updates: Hold weekly check-ins with stakeholders to keep everyone aligned on priorities and progress.
Shared Documentation: Maintain accessible documents that outline goals, processes, and timelines.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with other departments early and often to ensure alignment and buy-in on key initiatives.
Leadership with Humility: Empowering Your Team
Despite inheriting a large team, Ping approached her leadership role with humility, recognizing that she didn’t have all the answers. She focused on empowering her team by understanding their strengths, setting clear expectations, and providing the support they needed to succeed.
Key Insight: Leadership is about enabling others to excel. By creating an environment where your team feels supported and valued, you not only drive better outcomes but also build a stronger, more resilient organization.
Additional Resources
Listen to the full podcast here or watch the full Interview here
FAQs
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Embrace the uncertainty as an opportunity for learning. Focus on listening to your team and understanding the unique challenges of your new environment before making changes.
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Prioritize projects that offer quick wins and have the greatest impact on ARR. Align these priorities with both your team and cross-functional partners.
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Engage in active listening and frequent communication. Share your findings and plans openly, and position yourself as an ally who is there to help, not disrupt.
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Document everything and ensure transparency. Create detailed plans, share them widely, and maintain regular check-ins to keep all stakeholders aligned.
