In Episode 150 of Noob School, I sit down with David Shaner of Greenville, SC—Principal of CONNECT Consulting LLC and longtime advisor to leaders who want to strengthen culture and performance.

Our conversation touches on a wide range of leadership lessons, from the small signals that can shape company culture, to how leaders build trust across an organization, to why transparency—financial and otherwise—can be a powerful motivator. David shares insights from his decades of experience helping organizations improve performance by getting employees to think and act like owners, while I offer stories from my own journey in business and sales.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom and thought-provoking takeaways for business owners, sales leaders, and anyone looking to grow both their people and their company.

Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

Dive deep with us in Noob School Episode 149, featuring Diana Herrmann Davis, Assistant Director of Employer Recruitment and Center Operations at The Citadel. Diana walks us through her multifaceted career—from her polished beginnings at NASCAR, where she shaped media communications and archival storytelling, to dynamic roles in higher education career services at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University. She then pivoted into sales as a Sales Associate at Hylo, before evolving into a leadership role at The Citadel—where she's now also spearheading recruitment operations, coordinating career services, and teaching as an adjunct professor. Along the way, her advanced degrees from East Carolina University and the University of Pittsburgh have given her a strong academic foundation. Whether you’re mapping a career change, thinking of merging sales skills with education, or aiming to lead in campus operations, Diana’s journey delivers rich, actionable insights for your professional evolution. Get your sales in rhythm with The Sterling Method: https://SterlingSales.co I'm going to be sharing my secrets on all my social channels, but if you want them all at your fingertips, start with my book, Sales for Noobs: https://amzn.to/3tiaxsL Subscribe to our newsletter today: https://bit.ly/3Ned5kL #SalesTraining #B2BSales #SalesExcellence #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth #SalesLeadership #SalesSuccess #SalesCoaching #SalesSkills #SalesInnovation #SalesTips #SalesPerformance #SalesTransformation #SalesTeamDevelopment #SalesMotivation #SalesEnablement #SalesGoals #SalesExpertise #SalesInsights #SalesTrends#salestrends

In Episode 148 of Noob School, I talk with Kevin Farrell — a retired U.S. Army Colonel and now the President and CEO of Battlefield Leadership. Kevin’s career has spanned the military, academia, consulting, and even Hollywood, where he served as the senior military advisor on the Brad Pitt film Fury. But through all of it, one theme has stayed constant: leadership matters, especially under pressure. We talk about how his experience leading troops in combat shaped his understanding of leadership — and why those lessons still apply to business leaders today. Kevin shares stories from his work helping companies grow stronger through historical case studies and dives into some of the most common leadership mistakes he sees in the corporate world. We also touch on the difference between managing and truly leading, and how teams can make that shift. Kevin brings a unique mix of hard-earned experience and academic depth, with advanced degrees from Columbia University and a long list of published work. Whether you're building a team, growing a business, or just trying to become a better leader — this conversation has something for you.