"Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Handbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell" by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, Alan Eagle

1. Why every sales manager should read this:

This book provides a powerful blueprint for any sales manager aiming to lead with authenticity and lasting impact. Bill Campbell, who coached some of Silicon Valley's top leaders, was all about people-first leadership. If you're looking to move beyond just managing quotas and instead build a culture of trust, innovation, and sustainable success within your team, this book is a must-read. It’s packed with practical advice that every sales manager can apply to inspire their teams and elevate performance.

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2. The one thing I learned from this book:

The biggest lesson I took away is the importance of trust and empathy in leadership. Campbell showed that leadership isn't just about driving results—it's about genuinely caring for your people. In sales, where pressures can run high, creating a culture of trust and empathy helps to unlock higher performance and foster loyalty. It’s a great reminder that people deliver their best work when they feel seen and supported.

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3. The top 3 takeaways for sales managers:

- Be Both a Coach and a Player: Campbell’s role as a coach was about empowering his teams, but he also knew when to step in and take action. For sales managers, this means striking the right balance between supporting your team and being hands-on when necessary, always to help them grow.

- Lead with Trust and Empathy: One of Campbell’s core beliefs was that successful leadership starts with trust. Sales managers should focus on building strong relationships with their team members, showing that they care about them as individuals. This leads to stronger engagement and, ultimately, better sales outcomes.

- Instead of focusing solely on individual performance metrics, Campbell believed in building high-performing teams. Bringing this into the perspective of a sales manager, this means fostering collaboration and teamwork so the entire group can excel, rather than just a few individuals. A well-connected, cohesive team will deliver better results over time.

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This book is a learning gift for any sales leader looking to grow their team by leading with heart.