ITW Darius Lahoutifard Author / Educator / Entrepeneur

Cyrus the Great (600–530 BC), also known as Cyrus II of Persia, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, which became one of the largest empires in history. He is renowned for his tolerant and humane rule, as well as his political and military prowess, which led to the conquest of much of the ancient Middle East, including the Babylonian and Lydian kingdoms. Cyrus is credited with issuing the Cyrus Cylinder, a decree that advocated for religious tolerance, the peaceful coexistence of different cultures, and the abolishment of slavery within his realm. Notably, he freed the Jewish people who were held captive in Babylon and allowed them to return to their homeland. Additionally, he supported the rebuilding of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, further demonstrating his commitment to religious freedom and cultural respect. His legacy and leadership significantly influenced the ancient world and continue to be studied and admired today.

From Robotics Engineer to Sales Guru: The Fascinating Journey of Darius Lahoutifard

In the world of tech entrepreneurship and sales methodology, few names shine as brightly as Darius Lahoutifard. But how did a math-loving, robotics engineer from Iran become a best-selling author and the driving force behind MEDDIC Academy? Buckle up, because this story is as captivating as it is inspiring!

A Nerd's Unlikely Path to Sales Stardom

Picture this: a young Darius, thick glasses perched on his nose, surrounded by math books and dreaming of infinity. Who would have thought this self-proclaimed nerd would one day revolutionize the world of sales?

Born in Iran and raised in a middle-class family, Darius's journey took an unexpected turn when he moved to France as a teenager. Despite the language barrier, his mathematical prowess led him to the prestigious École Centrale de Paris. There, he emerged as a robotics engineer, ready to conquer the world of technology

But Darius had other plans:

"I resolved a few problems with welding robots, programming in naval construction, and things like that, and realized that I am a key factor in the negotiations with the customers because I'm the one who solves the problems, and these sales guys were getting the money. So I said, 'I want to go into sales."

The Shocking Career Pivot

Imagine the horror of Darius's family and friends when he announced his decision to switch to sales. In their eyes, he might as well have declared he was running away to join the circus! But our intrepid hero was undeterred

With the confidence of a true problem-solver, Darius made a bold proposition to his managers:

"I promised to continue doing my job as an engineer. All I asked is that they give me three accounts so that I can work on them in sales. And if within three months something happens, then I will go to sales. If not, then I accept that I'm not good at it"

Spoiler alert: He closed those deals like a boss!

From Sales Success to MEDDIC Mastermind

Darius's unconventional approach to sales – combining his engineering problem-solving skills with a deep understanding of customer needs – proved to be a winning formula. He skyrocketed through the ranks, becoming a CEO at the tender age of 28 and leading his unit at PTC from $4M to $27M in just three years.

It was during his time at PTC that Darius, along with other sales leaders, laid the foundation for what would become the MEDDIC and MEDDPICC sales methodologies – now industry standards for complex B2B sales.

The Cyrus Connection: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders

So, what does all this have to do with Cyrus the Great, the ancient Persian king? As it turns out, everything! Darius's latest book, "Leadership by Cyrus the Great, Unlocking Xenophon's Cyropaedia," brings the timeless wisdom of this historical figure to today's business leaders.

Drawing parallels between his own journey and the teachings of Cyrus, Darius offers a unique perspective on leadership that combines ancient philosophy with modern business acumen. It's like "The Art of War" meets "How to Win Friends and Influence People," but with a Persian twist!

Why Executives Should Care

In a world where leadership books are a dime a dozen, Darius Lahoutifard's offering stands out. Here's why executives should pay attention:

1. Proven Track Record: Darius isn't just theorizing – he's walked the walk, from engineer to CEO to successful entrepreneur.
2. Unique Perspective: The blend of ancient wisdom and modern business practices offers fresh insights for today's leaders.
3. Cross-Cultural Appeal: In an increasingly globalized business world, Darius's international background and the universal principles of Cyrus's leadership are more relevant than ever. So, whether you're a seasoned CEO or an aspiring leader, take a page from Darius Lahoutifard's book (literally!). After all, if a mathematician can become a sales superstar by channelling the wisdom of an ancient Persian prince from a tiny kingdom who went on to become the greatest emperor in the history of mankind, imagine what you can resources we have now!

𝟮𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀-𝗮𝗴𝗼, 𝗖𝘆𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀:
“From boyhood, we’ve been trained in the ways of honor and nobility. Now, let’s face our enemies. They may be skilled with javelins and bows and ride well, but they aren’t true warriors if they fail when endurance is needed. You, however, are not like them. To you, night is like day. Your training has taught you that hard work leads to happiness. Hunger is a daily companion, and water quenches your thirst like a lion at a stream. You have something rare and valuable: the love of victory. You seek honor and gladly face hard work and danger to earn it.”

Now, as a CXO, think about your first words to your team in the early days of your startup or taking charge of a department with people to lead:
"Hey, cool to see you all, you have a ping pong table and free food here, good job all".

You can do much better than that!

At the end of this episode, Darius also recommends the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

Contact Darius

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meddic/

https://meddic.academy

https://cyrus-the-great.com/ 

Darius Bio

Darius Lahoutifard, the driving force behind MEDDIC Academy, stands as a best-selling author, Serial Entrepreneur, and former Executive at industry titans such as PTC and Oracle, among others. His last venture, Business Hangouts, a Google G Suite live broadcasting app, was acquired within just three years, boasting millions of users.

Darius started as a robotics engineer before making a remarkable transition to sales, where he consistently excelled, leading to his rapid rise into management roles. At the young age of 28, he became the CEO of a Schlumberger subsidiary, managing a $10M business.

Despite his corporate success, Darius’s true passion lay in tech startups. At PTC, he led his unit from $4M to $27M in three years, with a team of 150, all within the fiercely competitive French market dominated by Dassault Systèmes. PTC outperformed its rival in its home territory. It was during this time that Darius, together with other Sales Leaders at PTC, built the foundation of what is now known as MEDDIC and MEDDPICC sales methodologies.

Post-PTC, Darius founded four startups (Enterprise Software and Internet companies), achieving two successful exits. He also contributed to the success of established companies like Agile/Oracle and Think3.

Darius’s zeal for SALES extended beyond MEDDIC; he often played the role of the first salesperson, wooing both customers and top talents, securing approximately $20M across five rounds of funding from investors.

Darius holds a Master of Science in Robotics Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Paris, ranked first in the entrance exams. He also earned a Certificate in Organizational Analysis from Stanford University, is a patent holder, and a published author. He has guest lectured at the University of Washington in Seattle and the National Defense University in Washington D.C. Familiar with six languages, Darius has worked globally, residing in California since 2009.

Learn More About The Leadership Style of Ancient Iranians

Can a leader be ethical, authentic, and at the service of his followers, and still build an empire? Or is there only room for remorseless, hypocritical and kleptocrats among the human elite?

Cyrus the Great: A Model of Ethical, Authentic, and Servant Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leadership-timeless-lessons-from-cyrus-great-ari-massoudi-swtbe/

2500 Years-Old Leadership Lessons for Modern CEOs https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2500-years-old-leadership-lessons-modern-ceos-ari-massoudi-npj3e/

Startup Founders: 3700 Years-Old Wisdom For Your Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/startup-founders-3700-years-old-wisdom-your-ari-massoudi-efqqc/

From Cyrus the Great to Today’s Leaders: The Timeless Secrets of Inspiring Leadership! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/arimassoudi_unleash-your-inner-cyrus-ancient-wisdom-activity-7248599114576195585-YxG0

How Adaptative Leadership Impacts Your Team's Success https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-adaptative-leadership-impact-your-teams-success-ari-massoudi-sw5ae/?trackingId=RLs%2BPRxLTaYLXF6jydA8lw%3D%3D

Two Game-Changing Behaviors You Need You Master To Become a Great Leader - Validated by Science & History https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/two-game-changing-behaviors-you-need-master-become-great-ari-massoudi-w5aae/

Cyrus the Great: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cyrus-great-ancient-wisdom-modern-leaders-ari-massoudi-jysle/

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