Writing this blog, for over a year now, has caused me to wonder how I compare vs. the ideal salesperson. Was I meant to be in this profession? Would I have been happier in another career? As a result, I’ve come to the following conclusion: I’m a non-traditional salesperson. Surely some customers have liked me because of it while some hiring managers have passed me over for it.
How am I different? Let me count the ways:
- Sports – I watch them but only care for the outcome when my team is doing well. Yep, I said it, I am band-wagon, fair-weather fan.
- Money – Like everyone else, I want more of it and I don’t want loose what I have. Yet, aside when I feel I’m getting underpaid vs. my peers, I don’t really care. I’m thankful for the commission checks and, at the same time, know they don’t bring lasting happiness.
- Achievement – I like winning awards but aren’t really motivated by them. Why not? Read on.
- Sales Numbers – I am skilled and I work hard. Without me, my territory would suffer. That said, I believe sales results, mine and yours, are due to the combination of hard work and generous amount of luck.
- Competitiveness – I like winning, but for the reasons provided, I believe sales contests are games of chance. In the grand scheme, someone else’s achievement doesn’t subtract from mine. Therefore, I’m usually willing to talk about my successes and failures and give my peers praise.
- Attitude – For my own benefit, I try to maintain a slightly positive outlook on the future. When I think too negatively, I fail to notice important opportunities and when I’m too optimistic, I fail to plan effectively.
- Demeanor – Occasionally, by high-strung, type A, sales managers I’m considered too calm. To reserved and pensive customers, I can be an annoying chatterbox. Take your pick.
- Nerdiness – Most salespeople consider reading or sitting through a class a painful waste of time. I’m the opposite. My brain abhors boredom and craves new ideas. Why else would I keep writing this stuff? 😂
Why share all of this? Am I saying that you need to be like me? Absolutely not. In fact, many times I’ve wished I wasn’t this way! However, my greatest failures came when I wasn’t true to myself – when I couldn’t pull off being a hard-charging, dominant closer or the beloved relationship rep. Ironically, I’ve gotten a lot more done being myself. Maybe there isn’t one ideal personality type for this job and maybe we should allow people to be themselves.
My only advice is to think of your own picture as a salesperson. What is your style? What makes you unique? Despite all the books and articles preaching ‘best practices”, it could be your success is due not to what makes you ideal, but what makes you different.
Maybe it’s not so bad to be a non-traditional salesperson. Lord knows, it’s the only kind I can be!
Sincerely,
Chris Pawar