What advice would you give to your younger self as a customer success manager on influencing the C-Suite?

Early on as a CSM, I thought influencing the C-suite meant proving how hard I was working—showing the number of QBRs, meetings, and rising health scores. Honestly, I was just trying to impress. But that only goes so far. What I’d tell my younger self is: don’t try to be a hero, don’t overcomplicate things—just focus on what excites the C-suite and know when to ask for help. I’d also remind myself to be confident. You don’t need to have every answer, and mistakes will happen. The key is to learn ...Read More

If I were to give younger me advice about influencing the C-Suite I'd say to take your time, learn as much as you can, and look for connections. More detail below:  Don’t be in a rush. As CSMs, we ensure our customers achieve their business objectives with our software and in order to do this we cultivate meaningful relationships high and wide.  But it takes time to learn how to work with people and understand unique personalities, interests, and goals.  Shadow others who are skilled at this.   ...Read More

This is tough because it's easier said than done. Hit your target. Prove your capability with what's expected of you (e.g., renewal rates, engaging with customers...), and then find ways to stand out such as getting customers to say "you better give _____ a raise!" or "I want to work with _______ again!" Stand out to your customers and that will come back to your company. This is a key way of standing out as a CSM. From there, you'll earn influence and the C-suite (or your CS/Sales leadership te ...Read More

Be Confident: Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You were hired for a reason, and you have valuable insights and perspectives to offer. Develop a Strong Professional Brand: Be known for being an expert in your field, for being reliable and delivering on your commitments, and for being a positive and collaborative team player. You should have your advocates speak highly of you in a room where you are not present. Think Strategically: Focus on the big picture and think strategically a ...Read More