Salespeople often get a bad rap, with comparisons to used car salesmen that conjure images of manipulation and pressure. We’ve all felt it: you walk into a dealership, see the salesperson approaching, and know what’s coming. But have you ever asked them what car they personally drive? In my experience, many don’t drive the car they’re selling. It makes me wonder: how many salespeople are skilled in selling without any personal connection to the product? Is it purely about hitting numbers?
I get it—there are livelihoods at stake, families to support, and bills to pay. But is the system right if it pushes salespeople to focus more on the outcome than on the customer’s experience or true needs? I think this approach might be reaching its limits. More people are waking up to the feeling of authenticity, or the lack of it, during interactions. I know for me, it’s a major turn-off when I sense someone isn’t being genuine.
Authenticity is a core value of mine, and I simply can’t engage in anything that doesn’t feel true to who I am, outside of professional necessities. And even in my work, I thrive when I’m being my authentic self. So, I’m left wondering: how sustainable is the traditional sales approach in a world where authenticity is becoming more recognized and valued?
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