Name: Darryl Quinn

Title: Sales Manager

Organisation: AccuQuote

Experienced leader with a proven track record in sales and business development. Skilled in building and managing high performing teams, driving revenue growth, and exceeding sales targets. Strong expertise in consultative selling, relationship building, and negotiation.

Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and influence key stakeholders. A results oriented professional wit a passion for driving business success and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Darryl's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

In my experience as a leader, one of the most challenging aspects has been managing and balancing multiple priorities. As a leader, I often must juggle various projects, deadlines, and team members’ needs simultaneously. This requires careful planning, effective time management, and the ability to prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I became a leader through a combination of experience, personal development, and opportunities that came my way. Throughout my career, I have consistently taken on roles and responsibilities that allowed me to develop and showcase my leadership skills.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I believe in the importance of structuring my workdays to maximize productivity and maintain a healthy work-lifex balance.

Morning Routine: I wake up at a consistent time to ensure a good start to the day. I don't eat a heavy breakfast you will crash early in your day. I found this is the best time to review my schedule and prioritize tasks to set clear goals for the day.

2. Work Time: I start my work at a designated time, ensuring I am fully focused and ready to tackle the day’s tasks. Prioritizing my tasks based on deadlines, importance, and impact. Allocating specific time blocks for focused work, minimizing distractions, and maximizing productivity is golden.

3. End of Workday: As the end of the workday approaches, I wrap up any pending tasks and complete my work for the day. Take a few minutes to plan and prioritize tasks for the following workday, setting myself up for a productive start.

4. Evening Routine: After work, I spend time with my family and engage in activities that help me relax and unwind, such as exercising or a nice beverage. I prioritize self-care and ensure I have enough time for restful sleep, aiming for a consistent sleep schedule.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Once recent leadership lesson that I’ve been reminded of is the importance of active listening and empathy. In a recent team meeting, one of my team members expressed concerns about feeling overwhelmed with their workload.

Initially, I was inclined to provide quick solutions and offer advice to alleviate their stress. However, I realized that what they needed most was someone to listen and understand their perspective. Remember you can't solve everyone problem.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One book that has had a profound impact on my leadership is “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. This book explores the concept of servant leadership and the importance of creating a culture of trust and collaboration within organizations.

Reading “Leaders eat Last: was a transformative experience for me. It made me reflect on my leadership approach and inspired me to prioritize the wellbeing and success of my team members above all else.

After reading the book, I made a conscious effort to implement the principles of servant leadership in my own leadership style. I started by actively listening to my team members, understanding their needs, and providing the necessary support and resources to help them succeed.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Prioritize continuous learning and personal growth. Leadership is not a destination; it’s a lifelong journey of development and improvement.

Remember, leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to learn, grow, and adapt. By committing to lifelong learning, you’ll be better equipped to navigate challenges, inspire your team, and make a positive impact in your role as a leader.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Once meaningful story that comes to mind from my time as a leader is when I had the opportunity to mentor an account executive who was struggling with closing sales. They were feeling overwhelmed and lacked confidence in their abilities.

As their leader, I saw this as an opportunity to provide guidance, support, and help them grow both professionally and personally. Over time, I saw a transformation in their confidence and skills. They began to take ownership of their success, proactively seeking solutions to challenges, and demonstrating a growth mindset. Now they are a top seller in our organization.

What made this experience particularly meaningful to me was witnessing the positive impact of mentorship and support on someone’s professional and personal growth.