How to Build Relationships Like a Sales Leader - Henry Kayser

Super Powered: Leadership, Strategy, Decision Making & Peak Performance - Stories & Strategies from World-Class Performers for Executive Success

Ever wonder how top sales leaders build genuine relationships that last?

Henry Kayser turned his natural approach to connecting with people into a powerful sales leadership career at tech giants like Zoom and Oracle. His counter-intuitive focus on authentic human connection over metrics has helped him build and lead successful teams across Europe.

From selling phone contracts at university to now managing Commercial Sales teams across multiple regions at Zoom, Henry shares how being yourself "on purpose" is the most powerful sales strategy. Rather than focusing on immediate transactions, he reveals how small, consistent actions build lasting networks that create opportunities naturally over time.

Key Talking Points:

• Why sending three thoughtful messages daily equals 1,000 meaningful connections per year
• The "Dunbar Numbers" framework that explains why some relationships fade after 3 months
• How focusing on intuition over strict metrics led to stronger sales performance
• Why authentic one-way messages without expecting replies build stronger networks
• The counter-intuitive reason that networking becomes easier when you remove the pressure to sell

Links & Resources:

• LinkedIn: Henry Kayser
• Podcast: Modern Sales Wisdom on Spotify and Apple
• Book Recommendation: "Obvious Adams" (1915)
• Tool: Covve Personal CRM

Today's Exercise: The Three Questions Framework

Transform your network by making meaningful connections without expectation of return. This simple daily practice keeps you present in people's minds and builds genuine relationships over time.

Steps to Apply:

1. Choose 3 people to reach out to each day
2. Send a genuine, one-way message (text, voice note, or social)
3. Share a specific thought or memory about them
4. Don't expect or require any response
5. Track connections using a simple system (spreadsheet or CRM)
6. Maintain consistency for at least 90 days