If You Think Taking Time Off Means You Are Losing — This Conversation Will Change Your Mind

What happens when one of the most intense, competitive leaders in software sales finally decides to slow down?

For Alex Patman, former CRO at Drata, stepping away from the game wasn't about losing his edge—it was about gaining perspective. In this episode of Hunters and Unicorns, Simon Kouttis and Ollie Kuehne sit down with Alex to unpack his journey from Fuze and Okta to becoming CRO at Drata, the mindset that drove his rapid rise through the software industry, and the leadership principles behind his success.

Alex opens up about the tragic loss of his brother, why he made the decision to take time away from work, and how stepping back has changed his perspective on family, health, leadership, and his next professional mission. The conversation also explores the rapidly changing AI era, the pressures of modern sales leadership, and what it really takes to build and lead high-performing go-to-market teams. From increasing intensity and narrowing the focus to raising standards and leading from the front, Alex shares the playbook, principles, and competitive mindset that have shaped his career.

In this episode:

• Alex's journey from Fuze and Okta to CRO at Drata

• Why pressure is a privilege—and the mindset of a “90-day contract”

• How tragedy and time away from work changed his perspective

• The importance of family, health, and mental resilience

• Why curiosity and competitiveness can accelerate a career

• Alex's perspective on the AI era and the future of software sales

• The leadership principles behind high-performing GTM organizations

• Why leaders need to increase intensity, narrow the focus, and raise standards