Reviews

 “Adam cuts through the bullshit and shows you exactly what it takes to be a great leader.” 

 “I’ve had the privilege of working with some exceptional leaders in my career, and I put Adam in that category. Truly effective sales leadership takes a combination of grit, authenticity, doing hard things, and showing up for your team. Shitty Sales Leaders: And How to Not Be One should be required reading for all sales leaders, regardless of their tenure. Adam has taken what could be a dry subject and provided a personal, authentic, touching, and humorous template for sales leaders to level up their game and drive world-class results.” 

“I’m delighted that Adam wrote this book! So many people go about leadership the wrong way, and Adam nailed what it takes to be an effective, inclusive, and inspirational leader. He shared specific examples from his personal journey and the key attributes of the greatest leaders. If you want an authentic, touching, sincere guide to success, read this book!” 

“As someone that did not grow up around salespeople or sales leaders, Adam’s book is a refreshing take on what a good sales leader is and is not and how, with a plan and dedication, you too can become a great sales leader. A fantastic new approach to an old profession by a true renaissance sales leader.” 

“Adam captures what it takes to be an effective leader, and Adam embodies what it means to be a great leader. Read this book, seek your inspiration, make these lessons your own, find your fuel, and become the greatest leader you can be.” 

“Some of us are lucky and have had a chance to work with great leaders. I would wager everyone has worked for and with a shitty leader (or two or three). But there is only one Adam Apps: the most observant and thoughtful leader I’ve ever worked with. Adam is a lifelong learner, both a great student and a great teacher. He has a value system you will align with and a style that is direct, funny, and easy to relate to. In this book, he has taken the time to share his journey and distill the lessons he’s internalized. I highly recommend you read the book and highly recommend you connect with and get to know Adam!” 

“The best leaders I know are never too busy to send a thank you note, or acknowledge your message. The best leaders I know have high levels of self-awareness and genuine empathy for their team. In this book, Adam has captured the core essence of great sales leaders in a manner that is anything but dry, boring, and trite. I read this book in one sitting on a plane while heading to a business trip, and I mentioned to my team right after that we should make this a book we all read and share best practices from. Whether you are new to leadership or have had the opportunity to serve as a leader for a while, Adam’s book gives you concrete tools to remind you that not only are great sales leaders kind, thoughtful, and caring; they are among the most effective when it comes to consistently building top-performing teams and gaining followership.” 

“Adam is one of those unique sales leaders who manages to lead teams with empathy and humanity while still setting a high standard of excellence, accountability, and execution. His approach to leadership shows that a rising tide truly does lift all boats. In Shitty Sales Leaders: And How to Not Be One, Adam eloquently details why in today’s war for top talent, the tired and dated SSL approach of ‘the beatings will continue until morale and numbers improve’ must be replaced with a more positive, uplifting, innovative, motivating, and authentic approach to leading people and teams in order for organizations to attract, grow, and retain the top performers required to win.” 

“The most effective sales leaders make it look easy, but in actuality, it’s really difficult. It’s a muscle that needs to be exercised every day. I’ve worked with hundreds of sales leaders in my career, and Adam just gets it. In this book, Adam provides a framework for achieving high levels of performance and shines a light on the attributes shared by the most inspirational and effective leaders: authenticity, empathy, and hard work!” 

“I agree, leadership and sales leadership can be and is learned over time and learned across multiple aspects of your life. Some people may have natural ability, but lifelong learning, humility, and confidence are keys to becoming a great sales leader. It is more about what people think and feel about you than what you think about yourself.”