Sales leaders are the backbone of any company. They are responsible for guiding and directing the sales team to achieve their goals. But they also have to ensure that they deliver value and that their team is happy.
Sales Leadership 101
Sales leadership is about helping your team members succeed and grow. It’s about motivating your peers, being a role model, and providing them with the necessary tools and support to achieve their goals.
Sales leaders are also responsible for providing a positive environment in which their team can thrive. However, they must also ensure they set the right example by living the company values and demonstrating how they can be used in the workplace.
What Makes a Rockstar Sales Leader?
To be a successful sales leader and stand out from other candidates, you must have certain qualities. The attributes that make an excellent sales leader are not just limited to their performance in the company. Below is a list of some qualities and habits that make sales leaders stand out.
1. Highly Effective Communicator
A good sales leader has excellent communication skills and can articulate their thoughts well. If they cannot communicate their point, they will not be able to make a sale. The first step in effective communication is to be aware of the other person’s perspective. This applies to prospects, clients, peers, etc.
2. Excellent at Problem Solving
Sales leadership is about solving problems for customers, and sales leaders need the ability to solve any issue that arises. They need to be able to think on their feet and come up with solutions quickly. This might also include helping your reps overcome sales rejection or other hardships.
3. Focuses on Relationship Building
A strong relationship with your sales reps can make the workday more enjoyable, improve the quality of work, and boost your career. A sales leader’s job is to build and maintain good relationships in the workplace. Not to mention, establishing rapport with customers is essential in this line of work. It can help you get better leads, close deals faster, and increase the lifetime value of your customer base.
4. Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability of an individual to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, others, and groups. It’s a set of skills that helps people manage their mindset and empathize with others. People with high EQ are more successful in sales leadership positions because they are better at understanding how other people think and feel.
See what CEO of SELLect Sales, Merit Kahn has to say about Emotional Intelligence in sales.
5. Contagious Can‐Do Attitude
Persistence is the ability to keep going even when things get tough. It’s bouncing back after failure or rejection and starting again with renewed determination. It’s what keeps you focused on your goals, even when everything around you is telling you that they’re impossible or outside of your reach. This is a must for sales leadership.
6. Ability to Motivate
Sales leaders are responsible for motivating their teams. Understanding what drives individuals to succeed will allow a sales leader to better strategize how they will encourage their team. The best way to motivate your peers is by making them feel appreciated and respected and recognizing them for their hard work. A great step to take is learning how to run a successful sales team meeting.
Things to Consider When Hiring a Sales Leader
The qualities of a good sales leader can be difficult to find. To find the right candidate for the job, you need to know what to look for in that person. You must ensure they have the right experience, skillset, knowledge, and personality traits—like the ones listed above.
Salespeople are a dime a dozen. They can be found in any company, in any industry, and at all levels of seniority. The only problem is that not all of them are worth hiring. So here are some red flags to watch out for when hiring a sales leader for your team.
- Lack of sales leadership experience
- Lack of knowledge about your company/clients
- No track record of success
- Close-minded or set in their ways
- ‘It’s your fault, not mine’ mentality
- Not a team player
- Poor time management skills
- Signs of power tripping
Need more hiring advice? Here are the best sales interview questions to ask your candidates.
Develop Your Sales Leadership Skills with SELLect!
Successful sales leaders can motivate, inspire, and lead their teams to achieve the company’s goals. This is because they have a strategic approach and know how to create a vision for their team. They also possess strong communication skills and can articulate that vision in a way that inspires action.
Leadership skills are not innate – they can be learned. And there is no better time than now! Check out our sales training courses to get started on your journey today.
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