Episode 2

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Published on:

28th May 2025

The Ego Trap: How Getting Fired Made Chris Ritson a Better Leader

In this episode of Why Did It Fail?, sales coach Shivan Pillay sits down with Chris Ritson, founder, advisor, and sales trainer, for a raw and revealing conversation about the leadership failure that reshaped his life.

Chris opens up about the moment he was let go from his first AE leadership role, how unchecked ambition and ego clouded his judgment, and why that painful experience became a turning point. From missed warning signs to rebuilding trust with his closest friends, Chris shares hard-earned lessons on growth, self-awareness, and what really matters when leading a team and building a life.

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About the Podcast

Why Did It Fail?
A Sales Podcast
Welcome to Why Did It Fail?, a series hosted by Cognism’s Sales Coach, Shivan Pillay. Each episode digs into the real stories behind deals that fell through, strategies that didn’t land and campaigns that missed the mark. Through honest conversations with sales leaders, founders, and operators, we unpack what went wrong and more importantly, what they learned from it. No fluff, just failures that made them better.