If you haven’t figured it out – I’m an AVID downhill skier. Which means I go outside in winter, often. That may sound obvious (at least it does to me), yet when the weather gets particularly wintery (aka -3 and snowy this past weekend) people seem to be surprised.
Which always surprises me… when else am I going skiing?
There are probably things in our role as a leader of salespeople that appear obvious to you, that take other people in your organization by surprise. Here are three traits I’ve seen inside sales leaders embrace that weren’t important to people leading other teams.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Successful inside sales leaders need to connect with their sales teams on a personal level. This involves understanding the emotions, motivations, and concerns of your team members. Empathy and emotional intelligence are crucial for building trust and fostering a positive working environment.
Adaptability and Resilience: Inside sales leaders must be adaptable in the face of ever-changing market conditions and customer needs. They need to bounce back from setbacks and failures, demonstrating resilience and a willingness to learn from their experiences.
Continuous Learning and Development: Inside sales leaders who excel continually invest in their own development and that of their team. They stay updated on industry trends, sales techniques, and leadership best practices. This commitment to learning is vital for staying competitive in the fast-paced world of sales.
These aspects of inside sales leadership may surprise other leaders because they highlight the importance of soft skills, adaptability, and a people-centric approach alongside traditional sales acumen. Successful sales leaders often combine these qualities to drive their teams to higher levels of performance and revenue generation.