Ep 065 Leaning Into Your Strengths to Thrive in Sales

When Chantel George, Founder & CEO of Sistas in Sales, started her own journey into sales, she had no idea how much support and community she really needed to thrive. Once she found that support system, everything changed! Sales can be rewarding IF you're passionate about negotiating, problem-solving, and creating client relationships. With these attributes, you not only help your clients excel in their business, but you're also making a significant impact on your colleagues' success. In this episode, Chantel shares advice for navigating complex dynamics in sales and the power of finding a community of like-minded individuals. Chantel founded Sistas In Sales in 2017, the first and only global organization serving women of color in sales, out of a determination to build a community where diversity is celebrated and underrepresented talent is found and recognized. Today, Sistas in Sales is transforming lives, providing opportunities, and making sales a better place its more than 8,000 members. She emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community and highlights the need for intentional efforts from companies to attract and retain more diverse talent in sales. Chantel also shares insights into the changing dynamics of the buying journey, and the significance of curiosity and passion in successful selling. Lastly, she discusses the impact of providing validation, opportunities, and resources for her members, contributing to a more inclusive and empowered sales community. What to listen for: [1:19] - Chantel's journey into sales and her assumptions (and misassumptions) about sales as a profession [3:35] - What salespeople need around them to succeed and avoid imposter syndrome [04:50] - Intangibles that set successful salespeople apart [7:24] - Chantel's unwritten rules in sales [9:52] - The shifting buyers' journey and how to better meet customer expectations [11:23] - Asking tough questions, being genuinely curious and overcoming objections as ways to solve problems [14:02] - Having genuine belief and interest in the products and services you sell [16:40] - The motivation and goals for starting Sistas in Sales and how it evolved [21:36] - Reasons minorities are still so underrepresented in sales and sales leadership [23:58] - Advice for women of color getting into (or considering getting into) sales [28:24] - Going from good intentions to action in attracting (and retaining) diverse sales teams [29:24] - The best advice Chantel ever received [30:03] - Better preparing future sales leaders and what makes great sales leaders [33:15] - Empathy, feedback, and importance of the humanity in leadership Chantel sheds light on the challenges faced by (and opportunities for) underrepresented groups- especially women of color- in sales. She explores the significance of representation and role models in executive sales positions and the need for providing equal opportunities for success. Additional Resources: - Chantel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantelgeorge - Follow Chantel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChantelCreates - Learn more about Sistas in Sales: http://sistasinsales.com/