On this episode of the Unlearn podcast, we discuss leadership with Rachel Skaff, Managing Director of North America Partner Sales at AWS. At AWS, she oversees the channel sales organization for North America, focused on accelerating growth through partners.

Joined by hosts Asher and Kelly, Rachel shares insights from her diverse career path and transforming AWS's partner model. The conversation explores challenges of work-life balance, especially for female executives, and offers advice for navigating careers amidst disruption. Emphasizing lifelong learning and adaptability, this episode provides valuable perspectives for partnership and sales professionals navigating organizational transformation.

Chapters -

00:00 - Partnerships and leadership with Amazon Web Services executive

05:31 - Parenting, leadership, and experience

10:52 - Work-life balance, leadership, and prioritizing people over processes

19:06 - Modern partnership leadership and sales strategies

25:12 - Leadership, decision-making, and adapting to change

32:55 - Leadership, reinvention, and presence in a rapidly changing environment

38:01 - Transforming organizations and leading sales initiatives

44:33 - Customer centricity and leadership principles for executives

51:07 - Partner roles and carrying quotas in business

Key Takeaways -

• Leaders need to continuously reinvent themselves and be open to change as industries evolve rapidly with new technologies.

• It's important to spend significant time externally with customers and partners to understand their needs and challenges.

• Balancing work and personal life, especially parenting, is very challenging but important to discuss openly.

• Carrying quotas or incentives in some form is important for partner roles to focus on generating business value.

• Surrounding oneself with diverse networks of peers and mentors is crucial for guidance in transforming organizations.

Key Quotes -

"If you wake up every day and it's not a - Hell yeah!. Go find something else!” - Rachel Skaff