Have you met Billy The Bleater?

They are the Salesperson you try to avoid at all costs for the following reasons.

THE CUSTOMER’S VIEW OF BILLY THE BLEATER!

  • They forget your name at hello or just consistently use the wrong one.
  • They have no idea who you are or what you do, but they can definitely solve your problem.
  • They take over the conversation so that it is not a conversation but more a monologue.
  • They have verbal diarrhea and love the sound of their own voice.
  • They ask a question for the sake of a question.
  • They ask a question but do not listen with the intent to understand
  • They are unjustifiably overconfident which comes across as arrogant and insincere.
  • They exaggerate and talk complete and utter nonsense.
  • They use the dumb words (check out this article if you don’t know what that means) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-umm-words-dumb-rachel-brus/
  • They do not have the customers best interest at heart but are in it for their gain.

THE CO-WORKERS VIEW OF BILLY TEE BLEATER!

  • They never shut up.
  • They never listen to others.
  • It’s their way or the highway.
  • Knowledge is power so why should they share.
  • They are a narrow-minded know it all.
  • They have little empathy and are very selfish.
  • They make no effort with other co-workers unless it’s for their own mutual gain or satisfaction.
  • They pull others down so they can lift themselves up.
  • They think they are a leader, but in fact, they have a concur and divide effect
  • They are just not a team player

At the heart of all this comes communication skills, authenticity, empathy and kindness. Not everyone gets on, and let’s face it if we were all the same life would be pretty dull. However, whether you are with a client or a colleague as the old saying goes, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason! If we use them proportionally, we are on the right track. Ongoing genuine interest can not be faked and is the core principle to an authentic connection for long term positive partnerships.

Critical conversations are necessary for business (both with clients and co-workers), and it certainly is in these situations where there is a real benefit in listening with the intent to understand rather than waiting to get your point across. Kindness and empathy certainly go along way in changing a critical conversation into a positive outcome.

Lastly, be that person who is genuinely interested in others regardless of rank or influence. Some of the most rewarding discussions and long-term friendships I have gained have come from giving people a chance, taking time out to learn about them for no other reason but to connect with them at that moment genuinely.

BE A HUMAN NOT A SHEEP!

#sales #communication #salescoaching #excellence