Be Good. Be Great. Be Humble.
Good morning!
Quick question. Without overthinking it, give me a yes or no:
Do you think you are a better-than-average salesperson?
It’s a well-worn statement that most people believe themselves to be smarter than the average person. A recent Wall Street Journal weekend edition article did a study to confirm this. Men (70%) more than women (59%) validated this point.
Do you remember that book that I recommended a few weeks ago, Never Split the Difference? One of the statements made by the author, Chris Voss, was that smart people make bad negotiators because they think they know everything while humble people ask the obvious and learn more. For those of you old enough to remember Colombo, you will recall his approach.
All of this made me wonder about those people who believe themselves to be better-than-average salespeople. Are they making assumptions that others aren’t? They believe themselves to be bulletproof within an account? If so, they will soon be looking for new business.
The irony here is that it takes quite a bit of confidence and even some hubris to be successful in the role of sales and yet overconfidence can kill everything that you have built. Recently, a young salesperson asked me at the end of our training work together, “What three recommendations would you have for me?” My first answer was, keep asking people that question. Stay humble. Humility is what makes great people great. The minute you start believing you are better than, smarter than or safer than the average salesperson, you become less interesting and more vulnerable.
At noon every day, a text message reminder pops up on all of my Apple devices: “Are you doing your best?” This is one of Don Miguel Ruiz’ Four Agreements and I put it there as a reminder. Recently, I changed my answer. Whereas every day I used to answer, “yes,” now I answer, “no.” I can always do better.
All of us need more humility!
Hey! My new book, The 25 Best Print Sales Tips Ever! is now available on Amazon! Click here for the link and get yours. You can learn more at The25BestSalesTipsEver.com
Need sales?
Bill Farquharson can drive your new business sales momentum. See his training programs at AspireFor.com or call Bill at 781-934-7036. His email address is bill@aspirefor.com
To talk about what I can do for your sales team in the form of a live presentation, workshop, or individual training, either call or hit this link and jump on my calendar.
Bill Farquharson is a respected industry expert and highly sought after speaker known for his energetic and entertaining presentations. Bill engages his audiences with wit and wisdom earned as a 40-year print sales veteran while teaching new ideas for solving classic sales challenges. Email him at bill@salesvault.pro or call (781) 934-7036. Bill’s two books, The 25 Best Print Sales Tips Ever and Who’s Making Money at Digital/Inkjet Printing…and How? as well as information on his new subscription-based website, The Sales Vault, are available at salesvault.pro.
