# The Quarter From Hell That Created a $500M AI Company | Gong's Amit Bendov

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/lead-the-team-top-2-of-podcasts-1064768/the-quarter-from-hell-that-created-a-500m-ai-company-gong-s-amit-bendov
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/lead-the-team-top-2-of-podcasts-1064768/the-quarter-from-hell-that-created-a-500m-ai-company-gong-s-amit-bendov.md
Podcast: [Lead the Team (Top 2% of Podcasts)](https://stenobird.com/podcast/lead-the-team-top-2-of-podcasts-1064768)
Published: 2026-08-15T18:15:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.benfanning.com/theceosessions/amit
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/906285dd-89aa-43f6-8a8e-56f00afc475f.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2221

## Resource

Every leader eventually faces a moment when the numbers stop making sense. For Amit Bendov , Co-Founder and CEO of Gong, that moment came during what he calls "the quarter from hell." Sales were collapsing, investors were asking tough questions, and every report looked normal. The CRM had data—but none of the answers. That painful experience sparked an idea that would become Gong , one of the world's leading AI-powered revenue platforms, now generating more than $500 million in annual recurring revenue . In this episode of Lead the Team , Amit shares the leadership lessons behind that defining moment and explains how AI is changing the way leaders understand customers, coach teams, and make better decisions. In this episode: Why "the quarter from hell" became the origin story of Gong The leadership blind spot that almost every executive faces Why traditional CRM systems fail when leaders need answers most How AI helps leaders spot problems before it's too late The operating rhythm used by elite sales organizations The hiring traits Amit looks for in future leaders Why ownership and curiosity separate great leaders from everyone else Whether you're a CEO, founder, executive, sales leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical lessons on leading through uncertainty, building better teams, and using AI to create a lasting competitive advantage. ----- Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben Fanning Speaking and Training inquires Subscribe to my Youtube channel LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

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