
30 Minutes to President's Club | No-Nonsense Sales
How to Make Prospects Open Up Without Feeling Pressured | Charles Muhlbauer | Ep. 293 (Sell)
Mar 11, 2025
Charles Muhlbauer, founder of DiscoveryCoach.io and former sales enablement expert at AlphaSense and CB Insights, shares his insights on improving sales conversations. He emphasizes the importance of 'humbling disclaimers' to lower defensiveness and make tough questions easier for prospects. Charles encourages listeners to dig into vague concerns, refine their questions for clarity, and follow a structured flow during discussions. His techniques focus on building trust and fostering open dialogue, enabling sales professionals to uncover real challenges.
41:18
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Quick takeaways
- Using humbling disclaimers when asking tough questions helps reduce defensiveness and fosters a more open dialogue with prospects.
- Giving prospects a sense of control during conversations enhances their engagement and encourages them to share their genuine concerns.
Deep dives
The Power of Humbling Disclaimers
Humbling disclaimers are crucial for expressing insecurities or fears when asking tough questions. For instance, prefacing a difficult inquiry with a statement like, 'I feel a little awkward asking this,' can ease the tension and prompt the prospect to respond more openly. This approach not only helps mitigate anxiety for both the salesperson and the prospect but also encourages thoughtful responses from the latter. By openly acknowledging the discomfort of certain questions, sales professionals create an environment conducive to honest dialogue.
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