Rethinking targets: How leaders navigate change and empower teams
When leaders evolve, so do their teams. For seasoned sales leader Saskia Boon, the transition—from Senior Manager, Public Sector Sales, to Director, Field Sales—wasn’t a major shift in responsibilities. Instead, it was a sharpening of focus and a deepening of impact. Saskia Boon discusses her experience in this latest edition of Leaders at Equinix.
Saskia began her career as a sales representative with a Dutch telecommunications provider in 1996 before joining Equinix in 1998 as a sales manager for the public sector & healthcare in the Netherlands. She was promoted to Director, Field Sales, in 2025. “My role didn’t change substantially,” she shares, “but I now have even more focus on our priorities: aligning sales strategies for the public sector with organizational goals, driving long-term growth and fostering cross-functional collaboration. We remain committed to expanding our ecosystem and supporting public sector organizations in becoming digitally connected and citizen-centric.”
For Saskia’s team, it’s no longer about simply hitting quarterly targets or closing the next big deal. Novel trends and pioneering technologies are reshaping the market, presenting new challenges and opportunities at every turn. In a constantly evolving space, leaders must adapt internally to match this external speed, boosting scalable growth, aligning with enterprise strategy and empowering teams to thrive and outperform expectations.
The power of one-on-one conversations
Saskia describes her leadership style as a balance of support and strategy: “I focus on helping my team grow personally and professionally while staying aligned with the bigger picture.” This approach ensures her team not only hits targets but also develops the skills and confidence to take on what’s next.
One of Saskia’s most effective leadership tools is surprisingly simple: consistent one-on-one conversations. “These chats are where we talk about growth, wellbeing and progress. They help clarify goals, and, just as importantly, they build trust.”
A culture of support starts at the top
For Saskia, leadership goes beyond the numbers. She makes wellbeing a regular part of the conversation: “I check in often, not just about work but about life. I also make sure my team has access to the right resources and opportunities, both inside and outside the company.”
It’s a reminder of a core leadership truth: People do their best work when they feel heard, supported and connected to a shared purpose.
Saskia credits her growth to Equinix’s culture. “At Equinix, we focus on championing inclusivity, emphasizing continuous feedback and reducing bias in performance reviews. It’s a culture that values fairness and that makes me feel empowered.”
Advice for aspiring leaders: Be transformational
For those looking to step into leadership, Saskia keeps it simple. “Focus on being a transformational leader,” she says. “For me, this means leading with intention and impact. It’s about building agility and being able to pivot quickly in a fast-changing market. It’s about fostering collaboration, because no one wins alone in tech sales. And it’s about leading with inclusivity, making sure every voice is heard and every team member feels valued. Above all, it’s about staying curious. Never stop learning.”
In today’s fast-moving sales environment, the best leaders are always evolving—just like the teams and markets they serve. Looking back, one piece of advice from a mentor still guides her today: “Always adapt to challenges—but don’t lose sight of the vision.”
Saskia’s journey is a powerful example of what modern sales leadership looks like: strategic, people-first and always evolving. If you thrive in a culture that values collaboration and continuous learning, we’d love to meet you. Explore opportunities with our Sales team.
- Culture
- sales