Any sales manager worth their salt knows that a sales team is only as good as the individuals on it. That’s why it’s so important to identify the key personality traits that make for a successful salesperson. But it’s not enough to simply identify these traits – sales managers also need to know how to best engage and motivate salespeople who possess them. After all, even the most naturally gifted salesperson will eventually fall behind if they’re not properly motivated.
So, what are some of the key personality traits of a successful salesperson?
1) Communicative
Communication is critical in sales for several reasons. First, the salesperson must be able to effectively communicate the features and benefits of their product or service. Secondly, clear communication is essential within a sales team to ensure that everyone understands their role and how they can support the team’s larger initiatives. Finally, a key attribute of great communicators is that they are also excellent listeners. This is important because people don’t want to feel like they are being sold to; they want to feel like they are contributing to a solution. Through attentive listening, salespeople can develop questions that allow them to tailor a product or solution to the needs of their client. In sum, communication is essential in sales because it allows salespeople to build relationships with their clients, understand their needs, and sell them the right product or service.
2) Creative
To be a good sales team member, you need to be able to think outside the box and see beyond the standard sales pitch. You need to be able to adapt to the needs of the customer and their unique problem. The days of one-size-fits-all solutions are long gone; the need to be innovative and forward-thinking has never been more critical. A great sales team doesn’t simply come up with the same answer for everyone. Instead, they tailor their solution to each customer. In order to be a good sales team member, you need to be creative and have the ability to think on your feet. You need to be able to listen to the customer and understand their needs. Only then can you offer a solution that is tailored specifically for them.
3) Creative
Oftentimes in sales, it is what you do when faced with obstacles that determine your success in the long run. A good salesperson is mentally tough, isn’t easily discouraged, and doesn’t take rejection personally. They can bounce back from losses quickly and learn from their mistakes. The fear of failure is often the reason why no one is responding to your emails. It is essential to be persistent and not be afraid to follow up on your follow-ups. As a team, each person should recognize that they don’t accept the first no as a final decision and keep revisiting and looking to solve their client’s problems.
4) Adaptable
No two sales are alike, and that’s precisely why sales teams have to be adaptable to be successful. As technology advances, sales teams need to adopt and leverage the latest tools to reach customers. In addition, team members must be flexible in their approach and continuously adapt to changes in both the sales industry and the client’s industry. By being adaptable, sales teams can ensure that they are always using the best possible strategies to reach potential customers and close deals.
5) Passion
While all salespeople need to be passionate about what they are selling, true team players have a deep belief that the product or service will solve the prospect’s problem. This type of passion often borders on fanatics. It is easy to identify this in one key team member, but does the whole team exemplify this passion for what they are selling? Research has shown that when people love what they do, they are willing to put more time and effort into their work. It’s a personal investment. Being genuinely excited about what they are selling is contagious. The best salespeople aren’t afraid to show how passionate they truly are about what they are selling. By being passionate about the product or service, salespeople can build trust with prospects and close more deals.
6) Disciplined
When it comes to sales, there is no room for error. After all, the whole point of sales is to, you know, make sales. So it only makes sense that sales teams would have a specific framework in place for identifying and approaching new prospects that fit within their target audience. By staying disciplined and sticking to this framework, the team can be confident that they’re pursuing the right prospects and not wasting time on leads that aren’t worth their time. Plus, maintaining this discipline can help develop good sales habits that can be carried out on a daily basis, keeping the sales activity on track and helping the team hit their goals. For a sales team, good discipline is essential for success.
7) Knowledgeable
A great salesperson is like a walking, talking infomercial. They not only know why their product is superior to others in the marketplace, but they also understand the strengths of its products that are unique to the prospect as well as the weaknesses of competitors. By understanding where others fall short, they are able to educate their clients and maximize sales. They maintain a competitive edge through continuing education and a commitment to lifelong learning. These are the people on your team that are always hungry for new information, making everything from their conversations to presentations interesting and innovative. So if you’re looking for someone who can sell ice to an Eskimo, be sure to look for a salesperson who is knowledgeable, committed to lifelong learning, and always hungry for new information.
8) They Believe In What They Sell.
You know what they say: sales is all about Belief. If you believe in what you’re selling, then your prospects will too. And that’s why a successful sales team starts with a set of core values that everyone buys into. By taking the time to define these values, you can measure each team member’s performance against them and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal. Plus, it’ll make it a lot easier to weed out the people who don’t fit in with the team’s culture. So if you’re looking to build a high-performing sales team, make sure you start with a set of core values that everyone can get behind.
