Mental Selling: The Sales Performance Podcast

Having clarity of purpose plays a crucial role in sales. Tapping into your purpose not only provides salespeople direction and motivation but also helps build stronger relationships with customers and colleagues. In this conversation, Lisa Earle McLeod (also our Ep 031 guest) returns to the show to discuss the transformative power of purpose-driven selling, the importance of reflection in sales, and how sales leaders can foster a culture of customer impact and employee significance. She emphasizes that sales isn't just about serving customers but about improving their lives and the lives of their customers. Lisa highlights the role of sales leaders in reframing the sales conversation to align with purpose. By asking the right questions and translating sales numbers and KPIs into customer impact, sales leaders can help their teams understand the significance of their work and drive better performance. Lisa believes that revenue and shareholder value naturally follow when companies prioritize customer satisfaction and well-being. In this episode, you’ll learn: - The transformative power of purpose-driven selling - Why sales isn't just about serving customers but about improving their lives - Questions for sales teams to reflect on to unpack both wins and losses. - The power of sharing how a team’s work made a difference in the lives of their customers helps employees feel a sense of significance and motivation. - The value of translating numbers into customer impact helps employees understand the value of their work. - Why salespeople want to be part of something bigger than themselves and for their work to matter Additional Resources: Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaearlemcleod/ Lisa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaearlemcleod Learn more about Lisa: https://www.mcleodandmore.com/ Lisa’s Books: Selling with Noble Purpose; Leading with Noble Purpose Lisa Earle Mcleod is a best-selling author, strategy consultant, keynote speaker, executive coach, and founder of McLeod & More, Inc. Recognized as the creator of the Noble Purpose business philosophy, Lisa helps leaders and organizations amplify purpose and meaning while driving financial performance. She is a popular keynote speaker and a prolific writer who has authored five books in five genres (leadership, sales, personal growth, conflict resolution, and humor), including the best seller Selling with Noble Purpose. Jump into the conversation: [00:01:18] Understanding Purpose and Its Importance in Sales [00:07:16] Playing the Long Game [00:12:21] Why Specificity (Depth of Knowledge) is Sexy [00:16:46] Metrics Beyond Revenue & Win Rates [00:22:43] How to Properly Ask for Referrals [00:25:11] Three Questions to Unpack Wins and Losses [00:34:58] Difference of Serving and Improving the Customers

In sales, it's often said that success hinges more on who you are than what you know. Customers can easily tell if you're just trying to sell something or if you genuinely care about them, their problems, and how to help them. Mike Esterday and Derek Roberts, co-authors of the new book Listen to Sell: How Your Mindset, Skillset and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performace, join Will for this part 2 of Mental Selling’s special series. In this conversation, Mike & Derek discuss the importance of authenticity and integrity in sales and how these qualities can lead to long-term success. They explore the concept of emotional intelligence, which involves understanding and managing emotions to build better customer relationships. Mike and Derek also stress the importance of embracing the value of sales and understanding that success in sales is more about who you are than what you know. Mike and Derek emphasize a clear purpose and passion for helping others, as these qualities can drive motivation and enhance sales performance. In this episode, you’ll learn: - The crucial role of emotional intelligence, genuine empathy for customers' needs, and how both help build relationships with customers. - Strategies to overcome self-limiting beliefs that hinder sales performance. - Why salespeople should recognize the value they bring to customers' lives and embrace the role of problem solver Resources: LISTEN TO SELL: How Your Mindset, Skillset, and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performance (ListentoSellBook.com) Follow Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeesterday/ Follow Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekroberts1/ Jump into the conversation: [01:06] Integrity and Authenticity in Sales [03:13] The Balance of Logic and Emotion [04:04] A Clear Understanding of Your Sales Purpose [08:19] Taking Ownership for Sales Success [10:23] Sales Congruence

While sales is acknowledged as vital, it is often not viewed as a strategic function. To unlock sustainable growth, leaders must champion a strategic approach that views sales not merely as a numbers game but as the execution of the company's broader strategy. In this conversation Scott K. Edinger, author of The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom Lines, joins to discuss the dynamics of sustainable revenue growth and the intersection of strategy, leadership, and sales. He explores the pivotal role that leadership and motivation play in shaping the success of sales organizations. Scott uncovers the common pitfalls associated with viewing sales merely as a transactional function and advocates for a paradigm shift toward creating consultative relationships that align seamlessly with broader business strategies. This conversation with Scott provides a roadmap for leaders and sales professionals alike, guiding them on how to bridge the gap between sales & strategy to drive sustainable, more predictable and profitable revenue growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: - That growth is not merely a sales issue but a leadership and motivation challenge. - The power of aligning strategy, leadership, and sales to achieve sustainable revenue growth. - The importance of helping salespeople see the long-term benefits of investing in their professional development. Scott is founder of Edinger Consulting and a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and regular contributor to both Forbes and Harvard Business Review. He is the author of The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom Lines, creating positive change for clients with expertise in the intersection of leadership, strategy, and sales. Scott has worked with CEOs and senior leaders to develop pragmatic strategies and execute approaches to drive top and bottom-line results. Jump into the conversation: [00:02:46] Challenges in Driving Sales Performance [00:18:50] How to Make Sales Truly Strategic [00:22:13] Three Ways to Design a Valuable Sales Experience [00:27:31] The Importance of Consistency in Brand Promise [00:29:32] Making Emotional Connection in Leadership Additional Resources: Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-edinger/ Follow Scott on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScottKEdinger Scott's website: https://www.scottedinger.com/ Scott’s Book: The Growth Leader: Strategies to Drive the Top and Bottom Lines

Being an effective salesperson requires a combination of listening, empathy, self-awareness, and continuous learning and improvement. Succeeding in sales is about creating value for customers and solving their problems. And you can't do either of those things well without listening- not just to the customer, but to yourself... Mike Esterday and Derek Roberts are both sought-after coaches and leaders in sales performance improvement. Mike is CEO of the industry-leading sales training firm, Integrity Solutions. Derek is Chief Executive of Roberts Business Group and an Executive Partner of Integrity Solutions. Together, they have co-authored the new book Listen to Sell: How Your Mindset, Skillset and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performance. In this episode, part 1 of a special series, Mike and Derek speak about how acknowledging the importance of listening can significantly improve sales performance. They also discuss the role of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in sales and how one's confidence, attitudes and beliefs directly impact how a salesperson interacts with customers. In this episode, you’ll learn: - The importance of active listening, which includes hearing what the customer is saying and paying attention to their underlying needs. - The significance of emotional intelligence in navigating difficult conversations, handling objections, and building rapport with customers. - Effective sales is about creating value for customers by understanding their concerns and providing solutions that address their needs. Resources: LISTEN TO SELL: How Your Mindset, Skillset, and Human Connections Unlock Sales Performance: https://www.integritysolutions.com/listen-to-sell/ Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeesterday/ Derek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekroberts1/ Jump into the conversation: [02:14] The Role of Today's Salespeople in the Buyer's Journey [05:19] Why Selling Is More Than Just Listening to Customers [07:33] The Impact of a Negative View of Selling [11:25] The 3 Key Conversations To Be Successful in Sales [14:57] Selling Is a Noble Profession

The true mark of a leader in sales is revealed not during times of ease but in times of challenges. In these moments, effective sales leaders showcase their ability to adapt, communicate, and inspire their teams to overcome obstacles. The challenges become tests of the leader's skills and opportunities for growth and the forging of a more resilient and successful sales team. In this Mental Selling conversation, John Baldoni discusses the critical aspects of effective leadership in sales and emphasizes the importance of aligning the team with the company's mission, vision, and values to build trust. John delves into the challenge of making these guiding principles more than words on a wall and highlights the need for leaders to live and breathe them into their actions. The conversation touches upon the role of leaders in promoting positive behavior change, enabling purposeful leadership, and coaching individuals to perform at their best. He also shares insights on how salespeople can focus on being better, learn from failures, and maintain composure in challenging situations. In this episode, you’ll learn: - The importance of striving for continuous improvement - How to demonstrate grace under pressure - The power of adversity John Baldoni is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and author of 16 books that have been translated into ten languages. John provides performance-based coaching that leverages positive behavior change, enabling individuals to lead more purposefully and with greater grace under pressure. He focuses on what it takes to lead with compassion, commitment, and courage. John also provides executive advisory services related to vision, strategy, change, communications, and people development. Resources: Follow John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbaldoni/ Follow John on X: https://twitter.com/JohnBaldoni Learn more about John: https://www.johnbaldoni.com/ John’s Books: Grace Under Pressure: Leading Through Change and Crisis

In sales, the commitment to continuous learning & personal development becomes not just a choice but a strategic necessity for those aspiring to thrive and succeed in the competitive landscape of sales. In this conversation, Jason Grom, Vice President of National Sales Organization Development, Field Training and Coach Development at Ameriprise Financial, steps in to discuss the importance of continuous learning and development in sales and underscores the need for individuals to understand their core values and motivations. Jason emphasizes that regardless of tenure, industry, or background, committing to ongoing training and getting the right coaching is a substantial part of success in sales. The conversation touches on the significance of gaining clarity on personal values and strengths, the importance of translating theoretical concepts into practical applications, and how behavior change and skill development can significantly impact sales outcomes. Jason is an accomplished facilitator and coach working with individuals, teams, and large groups. He's passionate and very knowledgeable about leading all segments of learning including analysis, design, delivery, and continuous improvement in partnership with cross-functional teams as well as gaining support and commitment from all levels of an organization. Related Resources: Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-grom-138a821/ Learn more about Jason: https://jgrom6.wixsite.com/learningintheflowo-1 Jason’s Blog: https://jgrom6.wixsite.com/learningintheflowo-1

In sales, leadership meant being the ultimate expert, the unquestioned "smartest person in the room." Consequently, leadership is no longer about having vast knowledge but about creating an environment where everyone can thrive and succeed together. Wanda Wallace is an accomplished keynote speaker, author, and Managing Partner of Leadership Forum. She helps leaders and teams improve the quality of their conversations in every aspect of organizational life, from team debate to inclusivity, career goals, feedback cultures, and strategic insight. Wanda speaks, coaches, conducts seminars, and works with top teams in corporations worldwide. She is passionate about helping leaders recognize their choices, see the consequences, take control of their careers, and build more inclusive teams. In this conversation, Wanda discusses the importance of conversations as the lifeblood of sales and highlights that while possessing knowledge is crucial, how this knowledge is communicated holds even greater importance. She further explains that successful sales rely not only on the salesperson's expertise but also on their ability to convey information in a compelling and relatable manner. Wanda urges sales professionals to hone their communication skills, confidence, and adaptability. In essence, she guides sales professionals looking to navigate the complexities of sales and advance their careers through strategic and empathetic communication. Resources: Wanda’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-wallace-publicspeaker-author-podcasthost/ Follow Wanda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskWanda Learn more about Wanda: https://www.leadership-forum.com/ Wanda’s Books: You Can't Know It All: Leading in the Age of Deep Expertise

"Just because you're authentic doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be effective." Authenticity goes beyond mere self-expression. It is about bringing one's best self to each encounter, because when we embrace the power of authenticity, our stories create connections and inspire those around us. Allison Shapira is a CEO and Founder of Global Public Speaking, a communication training firm that works with emerging and established leaders to help them speak clearly, concisely, and confidently. She is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and leadership communication keynote speaker. Allison learned about commanding a stage and using your voice as a former opera singer. She now applies those same strategies to help leaders in the corporate world find the courage to speak. In this conversation, Allison discusses the pivotal roles of authenticity, purpose, influence, confidence, empathy, and trust in effective communication and successful sales leadership. She explores the need for active listening and the impact of authenticity in building trust with clients. She also shares valuable insights into the nuances of virtual meetings and the art of building trust through competence, compassion, clarity, and consistency. Tune in and learn how to communicate with impact, credibility, and authenticity. Resources: Allison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonshapira/ Follow Allison on Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisonshapira Learn more about Allison: https://allisonshapira.com/ Allison’s book, Speak with Impact: https://allisonshapira.com/book/

In the world of sales, instead of just dreaming about the result, pay more attention to doing each step well. Success isn't just about reaching the goal. It's more about doing each part of the process the best you can. In this special episode, host Will Milano takes a reflective journey through the standout moments and insights garnered from a year's worth of engaging discussions with different guests on the Mental Selling podcast. He revisits the episodes that have resonated most with the audience and highlights the key takeaways that amplify the essence of successful sales strategies, from the significance of embracing a mindset rooted in productivity and storytelling to unlocking the power of humor and mindfulness. Resources: Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmilano/ Integrity Solution’s New Book: https://www.integritysolutions.com/listen-to-sell/

When it comes to setting and pursuing your goals, the "why" behind it serves as the guiding compass on your journey. The greater your clarity of why and purpose, the more you can tap into what will help you meet moments of challenge head on and move through them. In this episode, Jeanne Torre joins to discuss the need for goal setting to go well beyond just checklists and numbers, outcome-oriented goals vs. process-oriented goals, shifting to a growth mindset & more outcomes-oriented thinking and the importance of leaders leading by example. She explains the pivotal role of leadership in supporting individuals through the goal-setting process, addressing burnout within sales teams and how important it is for leaders to engage in conversations beyond the surface of goal-setting, encouraging them to explore the deeper “why” behind the goals and connecting them to a broader purpose. Jeanne is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach who has spent years coaching individuals toward achieving significant goals and helping burned-out high achievers master mindset, take command, and reclaim a life that energizes and aligns. Setting goals provides a clear target, but the real magic happens when we unravel that why behind them. It’s not just about what you achieve but also who you become in the process. Resources: Jeanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-torre-6a87a11b1 Follow Jeanne on Twitter: @JTorreCoaching Learn more about Jeanne: https://highlandwellnessgroup.com/