An Elite Sales Executive

An Elite Sales Executive
How do you become an elite Sales Executive? Some believe that in “a dog eat dog” or “eat what you kill” world one must develop characteristics that reflect manipulation, greed, or pushiness. Everyone sales every day. Whether you are running a business, or just trying to influence a friend or family member to make a certain decision, you are in way, acting as a salesman.

Now, thinking of sales in that light, do the same characteristics still come to mind? The best sales people love who they serve and what they do. Remember the movie “When Harry Met Sally”? One of the most memorable lines from the movie for me was “I want what she has” – What was it that Sally had? Passion. Passion sells. Passion is important, but it’s not enough to make a great sales executive.

Having studied sales executives over the last 30 years, I have found the most successful sales executives to be:

Curious – They are curious about how they can best satisfy their customer’s compelling needs and desires. They listen more than the sell.
Collaborative – They collaborate with their customers and teams to find unifying solutions. They are friendly, credible and likeable.
Confident – They resonate at a high level of positive energy. They inspire confidence in others as well as themselves. Perpetual Learners – They are knowledgeable, skilled, and are always learning about their customers, their industry, and products and services.
Conscious – They understand the science of creativity and leadership. They commit to a daily practice of personal development through meditation or other centering practices.
Congruent – Their language, appearance, decisions, and actions reflect their values and personal brand. They emphasize what they stand for and what they intend to be through intentional communication audibly, visually and kinetically.