Mark Carpenter is a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author dedicated to reshaping business leadership with a human-first approach. With experience across multiple industries, Mark helps organizations improve productivity, engagement, and commitment by fostering authentic connections.

He is the author of Lead Like a Person, Not a Position and co-author of Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Stories Into Experiences that Teach, Lead, and Inspire. Mark’s work blends heart and strategy, equipping leaders to move beyond titles and authority to build trust, unlock commitment, and create cultures where people truly thrive.

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Mark Carpenter to explore what it truly means to lead and sell like a person, not a position. Mark challenges traditional leadership models that rely on authority and hierarchy, emphasizing instead the power of authenticity, presence, and intentional connection.

Drawing from his bestselling book, Mark outlines three essential leadership skills—listening intently, communicating intentionally, and recognizing individuals, that directly impact trust, performance, and engagement. The conversation also addresses why top-performing salespeople often struggle when promoted into leadership roles without people-skills training and why mentorship is critical for developing effective leaders. This episode offers practical, human-centered guidance for anyone looking to lead and sell from the heart.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leadership and sales success begin with human connection—not titles or authority.
• Lead and sell as a person first; positions don’t build trust, people do.
• The three core leadership skills: listening intently, communicating intentionally, and recognizing individuals.
• Many leaders fail because they receive position training but not people-skills training.
• Being a great salesperson does not automatically translate into being a great leader.
• Recognition is just as important as correction, and often overlooked.
• Listening requires discipline and presence in a fast-thinking world.
• Mentorship accelerates leadership readiness and long-term effectiveness.

HIGHLIGHT QUOTES

We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training.

People can speak at about 125 words per minute, listen at 400, and think at 900, presence is work.

What’s the best thing about your work? The people. What’s the worst thing? The people.

People are messy… and there’s joy in the messiness too.

📌 FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION

Connect with Mark Carpenter:

➡️Mark's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-carpenter-0b55221/

Learn more about Darrell and Larry:  

➡️Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/

➡️Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/

➡️Website: https://www.sellingfromtheheart.net
 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Explore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast—nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!

Listen to Larry Levine’s Bestselling Book — Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.  

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