Get to know Leslie Harlton, Vice President, Sales Strategy and Enablement Manager at Woodforest Acceptance Solutions
How has your role evolved?
I’ve been in the merchant industry for 18+ years. I had the opportunity to come to Woodforest in 2010, initially in merchant sales before getting the opportunity to manage the bank’s internal Merchant Division – Sales and Operations for Woodforest Merchant Services. Now, with the vision and direction of our CEO Todd Linden – I oversee Sales Strategy and Enablement at Woodforest Acceptance Solutions, collaborating closely with the sales, finance, operations, and product teams to drive the Delta1st POS roadmap items and other solutions to ensure we stay competitive in the marketplace. I love it!
How do you maintain your passion for Delta1st?
Having been involved in Delta1st from inception, I see firsthand how it’s an evolving product with endless possibilities. It’s exciting to be able to help drive the direction based on what the needs are in the marketplace. Delta1st is our own, and it’s driven by what our team gathers directly from our clients’ needs and wants to run their business.
What advice do you have for someone entering the industry?
Be willing to learn everything you can with enthusiasm. Respond to clients and colleagues quickly, be accountable. Make as many connections as you can, build and maintain those relationships. The more tools and knowledge you have – the more values you bring no matter where you are in your career journey. It can catapult you to the next level or next opportunity.
What keeps you motivated?
My motivation stems from the respect and admiration that I have for business owners and their courage. It takes a lot to start a business, so I am passionate about doing everything we can do to help their businesses run as efficiently as possible. Mentoring and training others and seeing them become successful also keeps me motivated!
What’s your leadership style like?
I am a get down in the daily tasks working leader. I’m very involved and connected with every aspect of the business, not just in my department. The more knowledge and understating of how everything works together, the better we can be servicing our clients and other colleagues well. I’m very transparent with my team to ensure we all understand the why of what we’re doing and ensuring that we all believe in the product, solutions, and overall vision of the business.
What’s something your colleagues might not know about you?
I love to perform and sing, and I’ve been in over 45 plays and musicals. I’ve even been in a movie called Mexican Gold – my one line was “Timmy!”
When I was younger, I used to go around and audition for roles I knew I wasn’t right for, and was sometimes able to change the perception of the director to end up landing a part. This taught me a key lesson that’s stuck with me in sales, too: you may not get the yes to what you originally wanted, but you could get a yes to something else or open the door to another opportunity.
