3 Powerful Questions to Help You Succeed On Your Sales Team

Do you describe yourself as “a salesperson” or “part of a sales team”?

We often think of sales as a solo act; something we do primarily alone. If we had a theme song, it might well be Simon & Garfunkel’s, “I am a rock… I am an island…”

Sales professionals tend to view themselves as perfectly capable and entirely self-sufficient.

But, we need not be islands. In fact, it is far better if we are not.

We reap the best results, achieve higher levels of financial success, and experience more intense personal fulfillment when we leave our individual sales islands and join in the work together with our sales team.

True teamwork means working with people who support us through the bad times, celebrate our successes with us, provide guidance when we try out new skills, and talk us off the ledge when we work with our most difficult clients.

That said, for some of us, embracing the idea of being part of a team is difficult. We like our island… we like our theme song.

But being a part of sales team is far more effective (and fun!) than going it alone. It may take some adjusting, but it is well worth the effort.

Here are the most important three questions to consider as you work at being a strong team player.

1: Do you contribute positive energy and attitude?

Unlike many things in life, your energy and your attitude are completely within your control. Teams with positive energy and good attitudes accomplish amazing goals in short periods of time. Teams made up of sales people with negative energy and bad attitudes can spend massive amounts of time and resources attempting to move forward and end up merely spinning in place. And remember, it only takes one bad apple to affect the whole bunch. Don’t be that apple.

2: Do you actively participate in your own growth as well as the growth of the whole team?

A wise person (I have no idea who) once said, “A rising tide lifts all ships.” So true! When an entire team improves, everyone benefits. It only makes sense for you to take an active role in your own progress as well as your teammates. Two easy ways to do this are to volunteer to help out the newbies or to spend time role playing with your team’s top performers. Immersing yourself in efforts to create a high performing team will improve your individual success as well. Get off your island and go all in!

3: Do you celebrate the success of others …and mean it?

Sure, it is hard to celebrate a colleague’s success when your own sales numbers are lame, but when you are part of a team, every individual success is a success for everyone on the team. (This is perhaps the biggest mental adjustment of all!) Find and delight in the successes of others, regardless of your own performance. Doing so will make you feel good about yourself and help you maintain a positive attitude. It will also make you appreciated by your teammates and will build unity. Teams succeed when members praise each other and celebrate each member.

So, are you being the best team player you can possibly be?

Island life is over-rated. Jump in, contribute to the team and you might just change someone’s world …including your own![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]