People-First Leadership: The Missing Link in Sales Motivation

Sales performance doesn’t start with numbers - it starts with people. In this episode, we explore why people-first leadership is the real driver of sustainable sales motivation, especially in complex, high-pressure sales environments.
In this conversation, Harry Kendlbacher sits down with Courtney Tranberg, VP of Sales (Trauma + Extremities) at Legacy Orthopaedics and long-time leader within the Smith+Nephew ecosystem. Courtney shares real-world lessons on building a coaching culture, adapting leadership across generations, and practicing human-centered leadership when results and pressure are high.

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You’ll learn:
Why two reps with the same role need completely different leadership
How people-first leadership directly fuels sales motivation
What quiet, everyday coaching moments really look like
How to lead without ego when your team knows more than you
Why performance follows when leaders prioritize trust and presence

⏱ Timestamps (SEO-Optimized Chapters)
00:00 – Why people-first leadership beats number-first management
03:55 – Sales motivation isn’t universal: coaching beyond the job title
06:00 – Quiet coaching moments that shape real performance
07:35 – Human-centered leadership across generations
15:25 – Building a coaching culture without losing authenticity
27:30 – Final reflections: presence, trust, and evolving leadership

💡 Key Takeaways
Sales motivation improves when leaders focus on the human behind the role.
A strong coaching culture is built through presence, not formal processes.
People-first leadership requires adapting how you lead without changing who you are.
Trust grows when leaders listen more than they instruct.
Sustainable sales performance follows when teams feel genuinely supported.

👤 About the Guest
Courtney Tranberg is VP of Sales (Trauma + Extremities) at Legacy Orthopaedics, primarily representing Smith+Nephew Orthopaedics. With experience spanning from frontline sales to senior leadership, Courtney is known for building resilient teams through individualized coaching, trust-based leadership, and a deeply human approach to performance.
Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn:   / courtneytranberg  

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🔗 Explore more at: https://www.globalperformancegroup.com