The Reflect: Episode 4

?? In Episode 4 of The Sales People Podcast , we sat down with Ayla Tawakkol, MBA a sales leader at JAGGAER , who’s gone from supporting sales teams in the US to managing a 14-strong crew in Dubai. Ayla opened up about leading with kindness, pushing through resistance, and transforming her team with structure and grit.

What I Loved: Ayla’s approach to leadership is spot on. She knows her team inside out and leads with empathy, not fear. It’s clear why they rate her so highly.

What Challenged Me: Ayla’s year-and-a-half struggle to implement Salesforce was a real eye-opener. It showed how much patience and resilience it takes to drive meaningful change in a large organisation.

Top 5 Takeaways:

1?? Authenticity Wins Ayla’s advice? Be yourself. In sales, it’s not about putting on a front—it’s about connecting with people in a genuine way.

2?? Structure Transforms Teams She redefined roles, introduced proper cadences, and moved her team from Excel spreadsheets to Salesforce. The result? A well-oiled, motivated team.

3?? Kindness is Underrated Ayla’s all about empowering her team, not micromanaging them. Whether it’s helping them hit targets or lending an ear, her approach has built trust and loyalty.

4?? Regional Differences Matter Selling in Dubai is a whole different ball game compared to the US. Ayla highlighted how persistence and cultural awareness are crucial in this market.

5?? Every Day is Day Zero Her philosophy? Leave yesterday behind and start fresh every day. Whether you smashed it or struggled, there’s always a chance to improve.

Final Thought: Ayla’s journey is proof that great leadership is about authenticity, structure, and empowering others to succeed. She’s shown that sales, when done right, is as much about people as it is about targets.

?? Tune in to the full episode of The Sales People Podcast to hear more from Ayla—this one’s not to be missed!