Grit

Guest: Steve Rowland, Chief Revenue Officer at Okta

In this episode, we cover: How Steve's upbringing informed his work ethic. (1:46) ... 'The beginning of many career pivots': Steve's first job at BMC as an inside sales rep. (5:43) ... Size, product, and leadership: What Steve evaluates in a company before deciding whether to join. (7:51) ... Curiosity, relevance and new experiences: Why (and how) Steve continues to reinvent himself and his career — and his process for analyzing risk. (12:11) ... Steve's current company, Okta, and its successful identity security software. (21:46) ... How company culture can make or break an acquisition integration — and how change can lead to positive growth. (25:26) ... Examples of the 'core DNA' Steve looks for in future leaders — and how he uncovers these unteachable qualities during job interviews. (32:26) ... Working with potential leaders on their professional development. (40:36) ... What the word grit means to Steve. (46:01)

Show Notes

When Steve Rowland studied at Texas A&M University to get his degree in engineering, he likely wouldn’t have expected that his career would shift into one of an extremely successful sales leader.


Over his 20+ year business career, Steve’s built successful teams at technology companies such as BMC Software, Appigee, and DataStax. Now, Steve serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Okta, a company selling identity security software.


On this episode of Go to Market Grit, Joubin and Steve talk about what Steve looks for in a company before deciding to join, the ins and outs of an acquisition integration, and the importance of leadership development.


In this episode, we cover:
  • How Steve's upbringing informed his work ethic. (1:46)
  • 'The beginning of many career pivots': Steve's first job at BMC as an inside sales rep. (5:43)
  • Size, product, and leadership: What Steve evaluates in a company before deciding whether to join. (7:51)
  • Curiosity, relevance and new experiences: Why (and how) Steve continues to reinvent himself and his career — and his process for analyzing risk. (12:11)
  • Steve's current company, Okta, and its successful identity security software. (21:46)
  • How company culture can make or break an acquisition integration — and how change can lead to positive growth. (25:26)
  • Examples of the 'core DNA' Steve looks for in future leaders — and how he uncovers these unteachable qualities during job interviews. (32:26)
  • Working with potential leaders on their professional development. (40:36)
  • What the word grit means to Steve. (46:01)

Guest: Steve Rowland, Chief Revenue Officer at Okta


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What is Grit?

Grit explores what it takes to create, build, and scale world-class organizations. It features weekly episodes highlighting the leaders who are pushing their companies to make a difference. This series is hosted by Joubin Mirzadegan, go to market operating partner at Kleiner Perkins, a venture capital firm investing in history-making founders.