Why Top Performers Get the Hate: Success Resentment in Sales
Feb 3, 2025
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The podcast dives into why middle performers often resent their top-achieving peers. It reveals the common excuses used to diminish high performers' success and encourages a mindset shift. Listeners gain insight into fostering collaboration and mentorship to enhance overall success. The discussion also contrasts the mindsets of high and low achievers, highlighting the importance of self-investment. Ultimately, it advocates for embracing a positive perspective to turn competitive envy into growth opportunities.
Middle performers often resent top achievers due to perceived advantages, overlooking the dedication and hard work involved in long-term success.
High achievers are typically open to sharing their strategies, and fostering connections with them can lead to valuable insights and personal growth.
Deep dives
The Reality of Middle vs. High Performers
Middle performers often harbor negative feelings towards high achievers, viewing them as competitors rather than sources of inspiration. This resentment stems from various excuses, such as attributing the success of top performers to fortunate circumstances, like having a prime territory or preferential treatment in their organization. These excuses serve as a defense mechanism that distracts from their own lack of effort or initiative, preventing them from recognizing the hard work behind the successes they envy. Acknowledging this mindset is crucial, as it can provide insight into personal feelings and drive individuals to reassess their own performance strategies.
The Importance of Behind-the-Scenes Effort
High performers often engage in activities that go unnoticed by their colleagues, contributing to their success beyond mere talent or opportunity. While middle performers might perceive high achievers as lucky, the reality is that successful individuals typically invest time in relationship-building, networking, and additional work that is not immediately visible. Observing this behind-the-scenes effort can help others understand that achievements are not solely based on circumstance; they result from consistent dedication and hard work. Recognizing these efforts may encourage individuals to emulate these qualities and improve their own performance.
The Value of Seeking Guidance from High Achievers
Many middle performers fail to reach out to high achievers for knowledge and mentorship, missing opportunities for personal growth and improvement. High achievers are often willing to share their strategies and insights, but it requires a proactive approach to ask them for help or guidance. Forming connections through simple gestures, like inviting high performers to lunch, can provide valuable insights that lead to significant professional development. By actively seeking mentorship, individuals can cultivate skills and mindsets that contribute to their own success, transforming their perspective on competition.
In this episode, Bill and Bryan explore a common phenomenon in sales organizations: why middle performers often harbor resentment towards top performers.
The guys dissect the excuses commonly used to discredit high achievers’ success - from territory advantages to preferential treatment. The hosts share practical advice for breaking free from this mindset, including how to leverage top performers’ willingness to share their secrets of success.
Whether you’re a sales leader or working to climb the ranks, this episode offers valuable perspectives on turning competitive envy into collaborative growth.
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