How Community and Continuous Learning Shaped My Journey
Jody Humphrey, National Key Account Manager at Mitre 10 and Indicator Sales Syndicate Member since 2018.
After 17 successful years with Mico Plumbing, Jody Humphrey found herself at a crossroads. While she had honed her skills in sales, excelling in building relationships and driving results, the time had come to challenge herself further. Stepping into the role of Sales Leader at St Michel Bathroomware—a family-owned NZ manufacturing business—was the next bold step in her career. Transitioning from a corporate giant like Mico (part of Fletchers) to a small, family-run business offered Jody an exciting change, but it also came with a steep learning curve.
"As the old saying goes, a great salesperson doesn’t always make a great sales leader," Jody recalls. Suddenly, instead of focusing on her own wins, she was tasked with nurturing a team of five individuals with varying personalities, spread across the motu. It wasn’t long before Jody realized how challenging leadership could be. Thankfully, an introduction to Mike Stokes at Indicator introduced her to the world of the Sales Syndicate. "At my first couple of sessions, Imposter Syndrome hit me hard. The room was filled with successful, confident sales leaders," she admits. But over time, Jody discovered that this group was much more than just accomplished professionals—they were an incredible source of knowledge, inspiration, and peer support. Six years later, Jody still values the mentorship from Mike and the Indicator team as one of the most impactful elements of her leadership journey.
The Power of Community and Peer Support
For Jody, being a part of the Indicator Sales Syndicate was transformative. The role of a sales leader can be lonely—you can’t download to your team, and often, other departments don’t understand the true pressures that come with sales. "People think sales is all fun and coffee, but there’s so much more to it," she explains. Having a group of colleagues from different industries to lean on every month was invaluable. "You can share your challenges, learn from each other, and always come away with something you can apply to your business, team, or even personally."
The support wasn’t limited to the monthly meetings. Jody found that Indicator provided her with access to a group of leaders eager to learn, share, and support each other, even outside of scheduled sessions. “The people that come to Indicator and stay, have growth mindsets and mostly positive outlooks….my kinda people.” Over her six years in the Syndicate, she’s seen friendships form, weddings celebrated, and real connections made. This sense of belonging and collective learning is what kept Jody coming back. "It’s pretty cool to feel part of the journey," she adds.
A Journey of Leadership Growth
Looking back at her early days in sales leadership, Jody acknowledges how far she’s come. "Where do I even begin?" she says when asked what she wishes she knew back then. Creating effective sales plans, mentoring a team through challenges, and conducting impactful one-on-one meetings were just a few of the lessons she’s learned. But perhaps the most significant takeaway on her journey is that her way isn’t the only way. "I’ve learned to be open-minded, to see how others approach things, and to coach my team accordingly," she shares. Jody has mastered the delicate balance of caring for her team while keeping them on task.
After 7.5 years at St Michel working with an amazing team who she is happy to call friends, Jody decided it was time for a change. Even after moving into a new role as National Key Account Manager at Mitre 10 Support Centre, Jody continues to lean on the insights gained through the Sales Syndicate. Although she no longer directly manages a team, the leadership skills she developed remain central to her approach. "I miss having direct reports, but I still mother hen some of my colleagues when they let me!" she jokes.
Advice for Aspiring Sales Leaders
For those considering joining the Sales Syndicate, Jody’s advice is simple: "Don’t think about it, just do it!" She believes the payoff is invaluable. The monthly sessions, peer support, and expert speakers have continuously provided her with fresh perspectives and new strategies to bring back to her team. "You’ll always come away with something that helps you grow as a leader and drive value for your business."
As for what’s next, Jody is excited about the future at Mitre 10. Her new team is working hard to lay strong foundations, and they have big, inspirational goals for the rest of 2024. "We’ve been learning and leveraging each other’s strengths to achieve our goals," she says with enthusiasm.
Through her involvement in the Indicator Sales Syndicate, she’s not only grown as a leader but has also become a vital part of a community that fosters growth, knowledge sharing, and support. “ The support & encouragement from Mike, Justine, Abbie and the team is also invaluable, they have created a wonderful community.”
Indicator Sales Syndicate brings together sales leaders to develop skills, share knowledge and network via monthly membership, INDICATOR Sales Syndicate exists for those focused on advancing their sales leadership skills and performance.