Mary Shea PhD: From Oboes to Outcomes – A Journey Through Change and Sales Leadership – Part Two

In the second episode of this two-part series, Mary Shea, General Manager of Hire Quotient and former co-CEO of Mediafly, delves into the co-CEOship model—a rising approach in today’s complex business landscape.

With growing challenges for single leaders, she explains how trust, complementary skills, and shared vision are essential for success. Mary candidly discusses the model’s benefits, like shared workload and greater impact, alongside challenges like slower decision-making. She also highlights the importance of open communication, board oversight, and coaching as “umpires” to navigate conflicts. This episode offers timely insights for leaders exploring innovative ways to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

AI’s Impact on Sales Teams

“AI is paving the way for smaller, more agile sales teams, moving away from the traditional 80/20 rule toward a future where 80% of the team delivers 100% of the revenue.”

The Rise of the Consultant Seller

“AI acts as a coach on the salesperson’s shoulder, helping them become more advisory-oriented, and enabling deeper impact in customer interactions.”

Why Two CEOs?

“In today’s complex world, no single leader can address everything, from geopolitical challenges to the rapid pace of AI innovation. The co-CEO model allows for a divide-and-conquer approach.”

Challenges of Co-Leadership

“Decision-making can be slower, and sometimes we wish we could just do things our way. But alignment is key, and when it works, it’s incredibly impactful.”

Who’s the Umpire?

“Our ‘umpire’ is our investor and board. If we truly can’t resolve a disagreement, we rely on their input as the ultimate decision-maker.”

The Professional Marriage

“Co-CEOship is like a professional marriage—it requires resilience, commitment, and sometimes even a ‘marriage counselor’ in the form of an executive coach to navigate tough patches.”

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Mary Shea PhD

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Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.

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