Episode 42: Heroes, Villains, and the Power of Story in Account Management

2025-06-20

Most account managers think they’re here to sell solutions. But the real opportunity might be helping your client see themselves differently, like the hero of their own story. Alex Raymond talks with Adrian Davis, the President and CEO of Whetstone Inc. and author of “Heroes, Villains, and the Thrill of Professional Selling.” Adrian shares a storytelling framework that redefines the role of the account manager, not as the hero, but as the guide. What happens when you stop pitching and start helping your client rewrite their script...

Most account managers think they’re here to sell solutions. But the real opportunity might be helping your client see themselves differently, like the hero of their own story.

Alex Raymond talks with Adrian Davis, the President and CEO of Whetstone Inc. and author of “Heroes, Villains, and the Thrill of Professional Selling.” Adrian shares a storytelling framework that redefines the role of the account manager, not as the hero, but as the guide. What happens when you stop pitching and start helping your client rewrite their script?

They get into what it means to identify a client’s strategic aspiration: the deeper, often unspoken thing they’re truly trying to achieve. Not just surface-level goals, but the kind that keep them up at night or define their legacy. Adrian explains how to uncover these aspirations and why understanding them is more powerful than asking about “needs.”

They also talk about villains (not competitors) but the real threats standing in the way of your client’s success. Why is status quo such a powerful force? What external pressure points are shaping your client’s world before they even realize it? And how do you become the person who helps them see it coming?

If you’ve ever been asked to “be more strategic” and weren’t sure where to start, this episode lays it out clearly. From conducting industry and SWOT analysis through your customer’s eyes, to asking better questions that lead to real urgency, Adrian offers a framework that helps you guide the people who need it most. And maybe most importantly: How do you step into that guide role - quietly powerful, fully trusted, and always a few steps ahead?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Role of Account Managers

01:01 The Hero’s Journey in Sales

03:10 Storytelling as a Sales Advantage

07:30 Customer Aspirations and Emotional Drivers

13:43 Identifying the Real Villain: Status Quo

20:35 Internal vs. External Challenges

28:14 Building Emotional Connection

30:41 Industry Expertise and Specialization

33:21 SWOT Analysis from the Customer’s POV

36:12 Become the Guide, Not the Hero

43:12 Why Suffering Creates Urgency