In this episode of Selling the Cloud, Gene Guhne, a seasoned sales executive and global leader at Sabre, joins Mark Petruzzi and KK Anderson for a candid conversation on what it takes to lead modern sales organizations. From building cultures of accountability to navigating geopolitical risk, Gene shares battle-tested leadership lessons that every CRO and sales leader should hear.

Topics Covered:

• How emotional intelligence builds trust and performance
• Why accountability doesn’t mean pressure—it means support
• The silent fears behind big-ticket purchases
• Lessons from global sales: data privacy, geopolitical risk, and investment strategy
• How soft skills are evolving in high-stakes, complex sales
• The importance of coaching through reflection, not punishment
• Gene’s go-to leadership practices and favorite business reads

Key Quote:

"Careers aren’t made by a great buy. But they’re often broken by a bad one." – Gene Guhne

Gene’s Favorite Books:

• Emotional Intelligence (on the power of EQ in leadership)
• The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (for historical insights with business parallels)

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