Richard Balius is the Head of Sales & Peer Group Coordinator at Sales Success Media. Richard has been leading peer advisory boards for CEOs of small to mid-market companies in Austin for over sixteen years. He’s also a results-driven sales leadership consultant focused on helping leaders deliver sales results in their organizations. Richard has spent his career helping private owners to build sales teams capable of growing revenue and defending margins.
In this episode, Richard shares his extensive knowledge of peer and group learning. With over 350 peer advisory meetings led with more than 50 CEOs, Richard understands the inherent value of peer learning. Scott and Richard break down the three components of group learning, which include peer, accountability, and growth. They analyze the origins of peer learning and speak to the ways in which both sales leaders and individual contributors can accelerate their careers.
Scott and Richard discuss the importance of having a facilitator in peer learning sessions. They delve deep into common topics of conversation that are touched upon in these group learnings, including career aspirations and how to know if your current role is the right one for you. Finally, Richard and Scott discuss the commitment necessary for those looking to join a peer learning group. It requires discipline, time, and, above all, having the right mindset.
What We Covered:
00:24 – Scott welcomes today’s guest, Richard Balius
06:30 – Richard expounds on the concept of peer learning
08:56 – Richard recalls a significant moment at the Sales Success Summit that reinforced the concept of peer learning
11:21 – How peer learning fosters development above other learning strategies
15:44 – Why it is critical for sales leaders to develop their team members and why many struggle with that aspect
21:58 – Richard speaks to the importance of having a facilitator in peer-group learning
27:12 – How Richard determines the ‘growth goal’
28:49 – The third component of group learning: Accountability
32:24 – Common topics of open conversation in group learning sessions
36:34 – The importance of committing your mindset and time to peer learning
44:49 – Richard invites interested listeners to reach out about the different types of groups offered
50:10 – Scott thanks Richard for joining the show
Tweetables:
“What I know about peer learning is it’s winning all across adult learning.” (06:55)
“The answer is not always your answer.” (15:11)
“When you internally seek out guidance from someone who is either your direct manager or in a sales leadership role and you’re looking for what’s next for me, the challenge is almost anything they say next is no longer an idea but more of a direction.” (16:18)
“Peer is a very powerful thing. And if I can get the learning environment right, people will learn and grow and I know it.” (24:33)
“I think an outside facilitator is a game-changer. I certainly think an outside facilitator changes the game if he/she is doing their job.” (26:38)
“A piece of that commitment, for me, is their mindset. You’ve got to come with the right mindset.” (39:08)
“I’m very compelled by this project and excited by the opportunity to help give individual contributors and sales leaders a place to really accelerate their careers.” (50:31)
Links Mentioned:
[email protected]
Sales Success Stories Podcast
2020 Sales Success Summit
Richard Balius on LinkedIn