Fifteen Thoughts Top Performing Sales People Have But May Never Share With Their Managers

Attention Sales Managers! Sorry, but when you became the boss you knew you were going to lose the buddy-buddy relationships you had with your fellow sales people. Dont’ make the mistake of assuming that your non-complainers or top performers don’t have serious complaints or your complainers hate the company. Here are some thoughts they may have:

1. 1. 1. I don’t need to be constantly reminded to sell more. I’ve done this for years and I support a family just like you do.
      2. A big commission check, bonus, or sales trip is only motivating if it’s realistic to attain.
      3. I know when your spinning the truth. I’ve heard myself do it enough to recognize it. You’re better off spending your time helping me sell rather than selling TO me.
      4. Just because I question you or the company doesn’t mean I don’t care. On the contrary, I want to believe in what we’re doing and need more information to do so.
      5. Please don’t offer me choice between two things when you are going to force me into one choice anyway. True empowerment is letting me make decisions.
      6. If you anger one of my customers I make efforts not to take you there (or anywhere important) again.
      7. No, I actually don’t think you are, or ever where, a better sales person than I am. You’d still be doing this job and ‘kicking ass’ like you used to if you were that good.
      8. I may think you’re a decent guy/gal but we are not friends. Friends don’t fire one another to protect their jobs.
      9. Despite what you say, if you put your own interests before mine, I will return the favor.
      10. If it seems like we share a lot off identical opinions and interests, it could be that I’m kissing up to you. Conversely, if you find we don’t have a lot in common, it could be that I am just being very real with you.
      11. If you chose to not help me or hinder my advancement within the company, I will respond by looking for another job.
      12. Pay me fairly versus my peers. Expect me to find out if one of my colleagues makes 30% more. Despite what our HR paperwork says, people talk.
      13. Filling our sales reports and using cumbersome CRM systems rarely help me sell anything. That is why I hate them and consider them a waste of time.
      14. If you don’t have the guts to advocate for me within the company, you are hardly worthy of the term “Leader.”
      15. Although I claim to want more and more money, a sincere compliment can go a long way. One last thing, please don’t use me or my performance as a way to make another sales rep feel inadequate. It creates mistrust within the team – something I assume you don’t want.