Robert Clarkson, Former CRO Americas at Stripe: Why Empathy and Co-Creation Win

Episode notes

Robert Clarkson, former Chief Revenue Officer (Americas) at Stripe, joins Elizabeth Freedman to unpack what it really means to lead revenue at scale. With a career that spans public, private, and high-growth tech companies, Robert shares the mindset and habits that separate effective CROs from the rest and why great sales leadership has little to do with charisma and everything to do with consistency, clarity, and customer insight. Together, they explore how the best revenue leaders align sales with enterprise strategy, earn credibility across functions, and drive focus in fast-moving, high-pressure environments. Robert also talks about what he's learned in the C-suite, how he’s coached teams through major transitions, and the critical shift from being a top performer to becoming a top leader.