What Makes a Good Salesperson?

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The author says sales is polarizing because it's seen as manipulative and coercive. Great sellers are really good at being hyper-authentic, she says. They give themselves permission to let people know that they are very imperfect but a lot like them. That's why the greatest sellers on the planet are the greatest leader, period.

Selling products, ideas or even yourself is a task that can feel daunting, or maybe even a little uncouth for some people. But Colin Coggins, author and adjunct professor at USC’s Marshall School of Business, believes that anyone can learn the skills needed to sell anything – and that you already have more “sales” experience than you think. Colin shares why he believes that the best salespeople defy the expectations of what society thinks of as a successful salesperson, how self-awareness can help you achieve your goals and why learning the art of selling could teach you a lot about life in general. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts