Do You Excite People?

Credit: Bill Gillespie

Are you a good ambassador of your career choice or industry? Do people see you at work and think "I want to do what he/she does?" Do people envy your style and career or do they think "better them than me?"

I ask because how you make people feel is directly related to your success. That is to say, if you make people around you feel good you'll be more successful. If you wear coworkers and peers down ... not so much.

I think about how I decided to sell printing. Some of you know I was a print buyer. I was a kid with lots of power. I was the youngest department manager at a multimillion dollar manufacturer. I was on a good path. But there was this dude that sold printing to me. It was clear that he was having fun. Everyone in my office loved his visits. He brought laughter and enthusiasm with him every time he walked through the door. We solved printing problems and he wrote orders, but that was just background. He was fun!

A few years later a supplier encouraged me to try print sales. I had to reconcile the word commission but if I'm honest, I was excited. I was going to be like the print rep that made us all laugh.
Subconsciously, I wanted to be like him.

I jumped on it, timing was right and it was a good choice. Selling print was a fit for me. I managed to have fun and write lots of business just like my unknowing mentor. I'm proud to say there were lots of successful reps that I led into the industry too. I got to be the guy I admired.

So how do you make your career path look? Do you make it look exciting or are you a "woe is me" type? It matters to your success and the happiness of everyone around you.

When I was 11 or 12 my dad sat me down. He said, "Son, we live in a small town. Your name is Gillespie. There is an expectation that goes with that. Make sure you live up to your name."

It's the same for your career choice. If people don't like how you make them feel they won't want to do what you do. They won't seek your company.

Speaking for myself, I hope readers decide sales is a cool gig. I think it's one of the most honorable things anyone can do.

Salespeople write everybody's paycheck. Nothing happens until somebody sells something.