Welcome to the Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ! In this gripping episode, host Esther goes deep with Denise Walter, the dynamic Chief Revenue Officer at Darktrace. Denise, a seasoned leader with a storied career in tech and sales, opens up about her relentless travels, transformative strategies, and the fine balance she strikes between long-term planning and tactical execution for public companies.

Denise takes us through her pivotal career moments, including her early misstep that set her on a path of leadership development and mentorship. Learn how she motivates her teams by understanding individual needs, the powerful role of tailored recognition, and the synergy of aligning personal and company values.

Dive into Denise's journey, from her roots as an individual contributor to scaling the heights of leadership at Cisco and now Darktrace. Get a candid look at her initial challenges in transitioning to her CRO role and the importance of embracing diverse skills for career progression.

Through her experiences in various business environments—from startups to realignment phases—Denise shares invaluable insights on driving transformation, culture, and people optimization. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable takeaways on leadership, learning, and creating a thriving workplace. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Timestamp Topics

00:00 Find strengths, embrace challenges, and pursue growth.

04:24 Great fit, felt like home, fantastic experience.

07:49 Career progression tied to diverse skills and experiences.

10:01 90-day role focused on people assessment and talent.

14:17 Constant change, optimization, and embracing opportunities.

16:27 Traveling and connecting with teams for change.

20:28 Reflecting on career success and meaningful relationships.

23:20 Took initiative, got a mentor, secured a leadership role.

26:26 Embrace your limitations and seek diverse expertise.

31:12 Align to core values, prioritize people intentionally.

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