Step Up to Sales Leader

A warm welcome to the book written for you if you are a sales leader ready to step up into leading your team to thrive and grow your business.

Why read this book?

Sales leadership can be a tough and lonely job. Right from day 1 it can feel like the success of the business is on your shoulders and the step up from seller to leading salespeople is a big one.

Sales is the lifeblood of every business and more than ever the world needs strong, capable, humble, authentic and inclusive commercial leaders who know how to get the best out of their teams.

Amanda’s simple yet powerful Sales Leader G.R.O.W.T.H Toolkit will help you make that transition, mastering each of the six critical sales leader hats step by step.

Packed with real-life examples, tips and coaching questions, with downloadable tools and templates, this is the essential guide for stepping up to success!

What New Sales Leaders Need to Know

Ready to become the sales leader you want to be?

What's in the book?

The Sales Leader GROWTH Toolkit

Drawing on decades of experience as a sales leader, trainer and coach, Amanda’s research identified that there are six different hats successful sales leaders need to wear well.

Amanda’s 6-part Sales Leader GROWTH Toolkit is her well-tested practical framework for success. Each part of the Toolkit is packed with real stories, skills and downloadable templates that you can use today to wear these six hats with style!

Endorsements

"This book reflects what the best sales leadership looks like. It shows how to build teams that sell with purpose, not pressure — teams who truly understand customers, ask better questions and adapt their style with intent. Amanda demystifies the shift from seller to leader with clarity and decades of real-world experience. This isn’t a theory book; it’s a practical, confidence-building guide for anyone serious about leading a high-performing, customer-centred sales team."

Matt Spencer | Commercial Director | Caffè Nero

"This toolkit doesn’t just guide new sales leaders; it creates the space for them to think strategically, empower their teams, and fully step into their new identity."

Tindara Lo Re | Product & Portfolio Manager, Saïd Business School

"If you lead a sales team, or you’ve just been asked to look after one, buy this book, read it, highlight it, and keep it close. Your future self (and your salespeople) will thank you for it. I wish this book had existed 20 years ago."

Chris Murray | Author: Selling With Ease

"Leadership isn't about copying others, it’s about clarity, adaptability and above all authenticity. This book equips new sales leaders with something that I think is often overlooked – proven frameworks to define their own style and the tools to lead with confidence."

Andrew Hollebone | Head of Commercial Capability, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

"Whether you are just starting as a new sales leader, need a reminder on how to structure your leadership, or, like me, have recently started a new role in a new company, then this is a great book to read… It’s a keeper for me – a great toolkit to support you on your leadership journey!"

Terri Bruce | Sales Controller, Revlon UK&I

"An excellent practical guide that resonates strongly with the reality of leading in today’s complex, fast-paced commercial environment. This book appreciates the learning curve from seller to leader and spends time exploring the very specific challenges of new sales leaders. I’ve already pulled out several models and exercises and I plan on sharing them with all the sales leaders in my team."

Suzanne Kelly | Regional Vice President, North, West & Central Europe at Avanos

"The perfect book if you are stepping up to Sales Leader, or seeking fresh inspiration. Each chapter is packed with processes, templates, tools, and techniques, making this book an invaluable resource and a definite must-read."

Paul J Barbour |Tutor, Henley Business School | co-author of Building Top-Performing Teams

"This is such a brilliant book. Managing customers is all-consuming and finding the time to stop and think can be a luxury. Amanda’s sales leadership wisdom is exactly what I need as I to step up to a more senior role. I’ll be scribbling in and referring to my own copy at lot!"

Alison Impey | Senior National Account Manager, New England Seafood International

"Step Up To Sales Leader is designed to transform you from a task-orientated individual sales contributor into an inspirational and motivating commercial leader. This book provides a guide to support you through your journey, ensuring that you have simple, practical tools to help every step of the way."

Alenka Ward | Vice President Marketing EMEA, CooperVision

"Amanda’s expertise, authority and authenticity make this a great read, and her experience, passion and commitment to sales come across on every page. This is a book that will make you proud to be in sales. I strongly recommend this book as part of the company induction for every new starter sales leader."

Clare Bocking | Founding Director, Immediate Impact | Chair of Women In Wholesale

"If you care about how to be the best version of yourself as you lead a successful sales team and want something that gives you a clear roadmap of theoretical and practical advice on how to achieve.... you’re in the right place."

James Lamplugh | Commercial Director at Murray Uniforms

"This is a book that I will not just read once, I will continue to go back to it when I need a little help. There are so many useful templates, like the ‘strategy on a page’, that I will be using with my team."

Rob Harradine | Sales Director, The Mitsubishi Pen Company

"What stands out most about this book is its clarity and practicality. Rather than speaking in theory, it focuses on the how - how to create a compelling vision and purpose that people believe in, how to build a strategy that aligns ambition with execution, and how to establish the ways of working that turn plans into performance. It reminds us that leadership is about people, that success in sales comes not just from process and targets, but from mentoring, coaching, and developing the talent around you. This book is the sales leader’s coach on your desk!"

Shaun Smith | General Manager UK & ROI Nomad Foods

"Amanda takes sales as a subject and communicates with crystal clarity the power of leadership and how the two are inextricably linked to success. She provides a practical, seamless roadmap for sales leaders based on her own proven experience. One of the very few books on this subject where I have nodded my head in agreement constantly whilst reading it. Ignore this book at your peril."

John Graham | Founder and Managing Director at ADCreative

"A powerful playbook for anyone transitioning from top salesperson to inspiring sales leader. Amanda Downs delivers a clear, practical, and motivating framework that helps you grow your people as passionately as you grow your numbers."

Mark Fritz, Leadership Specialist and Mentor | Author: Lead & Influence

"Stepping into sales leadership recently, this book gave me the clarity and confidence I needed. It is clear, practical, energising and confidence building. If you’ve just taken on a sales team — or want to lead one better — this is the guide you need."

Shane McDarby| Director of Sales at Tirlán

"Simply and beautifully written, a masterpiece in developing your sales leadership prowess, with confidence and conviction. If you take the steps that Amanda has brilliantly scripted in the book, and do the work, it will allow your natural charisma to shine. Although written for sales leaders, this book is great for the growth of any leader, any coach or consultant, wanting to raise their game."

Ali Stewart, Author of The Liberator, Founder & CEO of leadership consultancy, Ali Stewart & Co Ltd

About the Author

300+

Successful Stories

20+

Experience

Amanda Downs

Amanda is passionate about helping sales leaders recognise and amplify the value they bring to their customers. Drawing on decades of frontline sales and leadership experience she delivers commercial strategy facilitation, leadership coaching and sales capability training to organisations ranging from multinational brands to the NHS. As Director of Commercial Leadership at The Uspire Group and founder of Sales Growth Expert, Amanda combines practical expertise with deep industry knowledge to drive real results for sales teams.