The Road to Greatness Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Wow, what a season it has been! Welcome to the season two finale of The Road to Greatness! This season, I invited you, my amazing listeners, to take control and ask me anything—and you delivered! From career pivots and tackling AI in leadership to uncovering what fuels my energy (spoiler: it’s not coffee!), this episode is a heartfelt, hilarious, and raw dive into your burning questions. I share insights about my journey, my why behind Pro Tip Partners, and even a few lessons I’m still learning along the way. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one as we close the chapter on another incredible season and gear up for the next. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey—you’re the reason this podcast shines! Be sure to stick around for the end. I have a request of you, too! #salesenablement #leadership #AI #mentalagility #resilience #alwayslearning #fear

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Road to Greatness, host Karlyn Kieffer sits down with Tony Durso, SVP and Global Head of Solutions Consulting, to explore the art of blending technology expertise with business acumen. From dismantling the stereotype of "demo monkeys" in solutions consulting to uncovering the superpowers of individuals on his global teams, Tony shares insights on leadership that are refreshingly human and undeniably effective.You'll hear about Tony’s "builder mentality"—how he turns fresh talent into star players, balances innovation with culture, and never stops learning. Whether it's strategizing, embracing generational learning, or drawing lessons from board games and Marvel superheroes, Tony inspires leaders to focus on people first and let results follow.Tune in for:Why “conformity breeds mediocrity” and how to celebrate individuality on teams.Tips for building trust as a leader—without micromanaging.How continuous learning and creativity fuel Tony’s professional success.Career highlights, Marvel-worthy leadership advice, and moments that sparked pivotal lessons.If you're looking to lead with intention and bring out the best in others, this episode will give you a roadmap to greatness.#leadership #agility #discipline #sales #solutionsengineer #Marvel #empoweringgrowth #growthmindset 

Send us Fan MailHave you ever seen or heard me present? I mean...more than here on the podcast? I've been in front of the camera, behind the camera, on stage and at the front of classrooms. None of that would have happened if not for this week's guest on The Road to Greatness!Please join my crazy conversation with my very first career mentor, Ben Mankiewicz, Host of Turner Classic Movies. Our delivery styles are completely different, but he taught me how to make mine work for me. He may not be in the business of sales, but he's selling old films to entirely new and much younger audiences. Learn how he connects the two. Plus, we'll talk about his:Brief encounter with improvSecret to building relationships Method for getting people to "open up" and share moreArt of the pauseHow fear drives his successAND...we catch up on our old tv days, and two of the craziest stories you won't believe! It's a little bit gossip, a little tea, and a whole lot of WTH! 🤣 #deliveryskills #relationshipbuilding #mentors #improv #motivation

Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode of The Road to Greatness, I chat with Wendy Petty, Chief Revenue Officer of WorkFusion, who’s revolutionizing how enterprises leverage AI to save time, streamline processes, and outsmart inefficiencies. Wendy shares her remarkable journey from hotel management graduate to tech trailblazer, revealing how relentless drive, adaptability, and customer-centric thinking fuel success in sales and leadership. Tune in for insights on empowering teams, navigating pivots, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving tech landscape. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Road to Greatness, we’re joined by Demetrice McClurkin, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and R&D at Procter & Gamble, who has spent his career building customer-focused solutions that drive results. Demetrice discusses his unique career pivots—from compliance to R&D finance—and the lessons he’s learned about mental agility, leadership, and the power of a strong team.Here’s what you’ll learn:How to build a culture of “promote from within” that keeps employees engaged and striving for growth.Why involving sales early in the product development process is a game-changer for go-to-market success.The role of actionable QBRs in empowering managers and teams to mitigate risks and seize opportunities.Demetrice’s approach to navigating challenges, staying innovative, and maintaining resilience.Whether you’re a sales leader looking to inspire your team or a rep ready to elevate your approach, this episode is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories. Tune in now and let Demetrice guide you toward your own road to greatness!

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an electrifying episode of The Road to Greatness! This week, we dive into the mind of B.J. Wiley Williams, the visionary CEO of SoHookd, who’s shaking up the wellness industry for Fortune 100 clients. BJ didn’t take the typical career path—and that’s exactly what fuels her groundbreaking approach. From leading with impact to winning the trust of investors, she reveals the behind-the-scenes secrets that every entrepreneur, sales leader, and innovator craves. Tune in to hear B.J.'s unique blueprint for building an unstoppable salesforce, securing funding, and positioning herself as a top-tier expert. If you’re looking to ignite your own path to success, don’t miss this episode! #HR #Benefits #SalesExpectations #BusinessAcumen #Sohookd #MentalAgility #careerpath #SalesTips 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Road to Greatness, Karlyn Kieffer sits down with legendary NCAA head coach Rick Barnes, who delivers a true masterclass on leadership, resilience, and the art of building high-performing teams. With over three decades of coaching experience, Coach Barnes dives deep into the philosophies that have propelled him to the top of his field, sharing his wisdom on everything from the power of consistency to the importance of transparency with your team.Throughout the conversation, Coach Barnes touches on key principles he believes are essential for any leader:Consistency: Why being the most dependable person in the room is essential to earning trust and inspiring excellence.Recruiting: How he evaluates players beyond talent alone, searching for character, work ethic, and a willingness to embrace their role.Resilience: The strategies he uses to help his players stay mentally agile, pushing through adversity and fatigue to bring their best—even when it's hard.And in a surprising revelation, Coach Barnes shares the story of a player who taught him a powerful lesson about respect, leading him to clean up his language permanently. Find out which player made this lasting impact—and why.Whether you're in sports, business, or simply aiming for personal growth, this episode offers rich insights for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game. Tune in for stories, laughs, and plenty of inspiration from one of college basketball’s finest!#Leadership #MentalAgility #resilience #recruitingtoptalent #consistencybringstrust #salestips #TennesseeVols #basketball #collegehoops 

Send us Fan Mail🚀 **The Road to Greatness is bringing the heat this Q4!** 🚀 In Season 2, Episode 5, I take a leap into the future by letting AI lead the interview! Imagine this: just two months to hit those year-end targets, and in reality, only five full selling weeks remain. I break down urgency into three unique types—natural, program, and contract urgency—arming sales leaders with tailored tools, tips, and formulae to guide their teams in *crushing quota* this quarter. This episode also marks the debut of the **Pro Tip Partners Customer Cue Card** and showcases the power of storytelling to fast-track the sales cycle. There’s something for everyone—whether you're a manager looking to coach reps to use urgency ethically and strategically, or a sales rep honing those mental agility muscles. 🎙️ *Throwback Moment:* Remember Season 1, Episode 2? AI Jedi Nathan Hunter shared how embracing tech led to his business success. I’m doing the same here, stretching my creativity through AI and fulfilling my mission to deliver pro tips to you! Get ready for insights, storytelling, and a fresh way to think about urgency in sales. Tune in to see what happens when AI joins me on the mic and how you can apply these urgency-boosting techniques to hit those Q4 goals.

Send us Fan MailI am 100% against scripting. Don't script your sales pitch, introductory presentations, conversations. Period. Why? Because if you think about it, how much of YOUR life is scripted? Yet so many teams feel the only way to teach a product, communicate with prospects, or develop a relationship is with a strictly adhered to script. We're making a big announcement about our own training team, in this week's episode and it has to do with tossing out your scripts, increasing your sales potential and forging your path to greatness. We welcome back writer, producer, and actress, Keisha Zollar for new insights and tips to unlock your full potential. 

Send us Fan MailThis week, we sit down with the dynamic Shari Spencer, the First Lady of MMA, who has blazed a trail from international finance to managing MMA champions and now thriving as a CFO! 💼💥 Shari shares her fearless approach to life—taking risks, saying “yes” first, and figuring out the “how” later. 🛤️ She talks leadership, trust-building when the odds are stacked against you, and why the struggle is the gateway to growth. 🌱If you're craving insights on embracing discomfort, continuous learning, and staying excited about your journey, this is the episode for you! 💡 Don't miss it!