“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.”
~Oscar Wilde
written by Jeremy Ulmer.
The majority of us have at some time in our career worked for a manager who we did not connect with, or who should really not be managing or leading sales people. However, we can’t always control who our bosses are, so here are 4 tips to survive working for a difficult sales manager.
Tip 1: Appreciate What They Do Well
Even if you detest your boss, you’re going to have to find a way to deal with the situation if you want to remain on the sales team. One of the best ways to do this is to tolerate his or her weaknesses and focus on the good qualities they possess, even if there are very few. Focus on how they can help you.
Even if you detest your boss, you’re going to have to find a way to deal with the situation if you want to remain on the sales team. One of the best ways to do this is to tolerate his or her weaknesses and focus on the good qualities they possess, even if there are very few. Focus on how they can help you.
Tip 2: Make Sure Your Boss Knows You Are Fully Engaged In Selling And Want To Succeed
You need to find out where you stand with your manager and also to let him or her know about your commitment to success. Request a 15 minute meeting with your sales manager to talk about how things are going. There are four main things you want to accomplish in this meeting.
You need to find out where you stand with your manager and also to let him or her know about your commitment to success. Request a 15 minute meeting with your sales manager to talk about how things are going. There are four main things you want to accomplish in this meeting.
- Ask your manager to evaluate how you are doing in your sales position.
- Discuss any concerns they have for your performance and put together a specific action plan that addresses all concerns they have.
- Make it very clear that you want to succeed in your role and do the best you possible can.
- Schedule a follow up 15 minute meeting 2 weeks out to check-in again and review progress.
By taking the initiative to do this, you will not be guessing anymore. You will know exactly what your sales manager wants and expects from you. You will also know where he or she thinks you have weaknesses so you can address them.
“A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.”
~John C.Maxwell
Tip 3: Schedule On-Going Follow-Up Meetings
The first meeting brought you and your sales manager onto the same page. Now the key is to continually schedule follow up meetings ever 2 weeks or so, even if they are just 5 minutes. This will ensure your manager sees your progress and also will help ensure you are not blind-sided by anything either.
The first meeting brought you and your sales manager onto the same page. Now the key is to continually schedule follow up meetings ever 2 weeks or so, even if they are just 5 minutes. This will ensure your manager sees your progress and also will help ensure you are not blind-sided by anything either.
Tip 4: Find A Sales Mentor or Sales Coach
Whether you have been selling for 20+ years, or are brand new to sales, you can always benefit from having an outside sounding board to help you take your results to the next level. Maybe there is someone on your team or within your organization whom you truly admire. Offer to take them out to lunch one time per month in exchange for being able to learn from them. And if you want to partner with someone specifically trained to help you achieve outstanding sales results, consider hiring a sales coach.
Whether you have been selling for 20+ years, or are brand new to sales, you can always benefit from having an outside sounding board to help you take your results to the next level. Maybe there is someone on your team or within your organization whom you truly admire. Offer to take them out to lunch one time per month in exchange for being able to learn from them. And if you want to partner with someone specifically trained to help you achieve outstanding sales results, consider hiring a sales coach.
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