May 27, 2025
#24 Chris Dalton: How I Sold a Startup to Salesforce in Just 29 Months
The David Guttman PodcastAbout this episode
What makes a great leader in today’s shifting landscape? In this episode, I’ve had a fascinating conversation with serial entrepreneur-board member Chris Dalton, about purpose-driven leadership, ‘It is not a role, it’s a relationship.’ This shift in perspective is powerful and timely, as it challenges us to view leadership as an emergent property of connection, not hierarchy. He also shared the importance of empowering, not just your business partners, but also your employees, and how this can have a tremendous positive impact on your business goals. I’d love to hear your thoughts: How do you define leadership today? And what are you doing to cultivate awareness in your own practice? Connect with Chris Dalton: LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Frh6oi Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:06 Chris Dalton’s Entrepreneurial Journey 05:43 From 0 to 100: Arthur Andersen Consulting 10:47 Importance of Equity 13:47 Choosing the Right People to Work With 20:50 Approach in Sharing Equity 23:40 Public Exit vs. Private Exit 28:24 Knowing When to Pivot 31:06 Building a Powerhouse Team 39:54 Instilling a Sense of Ownership and Empowerment 47:36 Ego and Humility 52:43 Benefits of Mentorship and Knowledge-Sharing 56:47 Experience of Chris and David Working Together 1:07:20 Sharing the Vision with Partners and Employees 1:12:15 Money as a Magnifier 1:19:51 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 1:22:58 Parenting Style 1:26:27 What Do You Want Your Kids to Say to You in the Future? Watch the “David Guttman Podcast” every Tuesday at 9AM EST on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZGK2yv Connect with David Guttman: Website: https://bit.ly/4jclYvK Instagram: https://bit.ly/4iARMe9 TikTok: https://bit.ly/3P19NVm Facebook: https://bit.ly/49CQjQx X.com: https://bit.ly/4gH28aR LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Bx7Tc2 SUBSCRIBE TO: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDavidGuttman Download the “David Guttman Podcast” on all your favorite podcast platforms: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3VE3fzV Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3VLzm0v