There are so many moments in sales that feel like a game. And in most games, somebody wins and somebody loses. Whether we are talking about going up against our most fierce competition during a significant RFP, or a co-worker during the annual sales contest, somebody’s going to win. And somebody’s going to NOT WIN (AKA LOSE)
Winning is awesome. And losing sucks.
According to the internets, here are some definitions of the word GRACE
- courteous goodwill.
“at least he has the grace to admit his debt to her”
synonyms: courtesy, decency, (good) manners, politeness, decorum, respect, tact “he at least had the grace to look sheepish”
antonyms: effrontery
- an attractively polite manner of behaving.
plural noun: graces
“she has all the social graces”
Decency. Decorum. Respect. Tact.
Those traits are vital to possess when you are on either end of a competitive situation. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am ALL ABOUT THE TRASH TALK when I am in a competitive situation. Trash talk is fun, when it is used in the spirit of good humor and respect, and when everyone is in on the game.
However, if anyone feels threatened, or hurt, or disrespected by your trash talking, you’re doing it wrong. And here is one of the most important things to remember about another person’s dignity and feelings. If someone tells you that you have hurt his feelings, you are not allowed to tell him that he is wrong. This is all about an individuals’ personal boundaries and perceptions. And you are way better off to err on the side of sensitivity and grace than coarseness and hurtfulness.
Celebration of a sales win? YES!!! Gloating and IN YOUR FACE rhetoric? No.
Desolation over losing a significant piece of business that you needed to meet your sales goal for the year? Understandable. Sulking and lashing out at co-workers in a misguided attempt to place blame? No. STOP IT.
Here and now more than ever, the golden rule ALWAYS applies. Treat others as you would have them treat you.
Have fun. But don’t be mean.
Lick your wounds. But move on, learn, and get better.
Win or lose, you are awesome.
So act like it.
As a sales and marketing coach and consultant at Success In Print, Kelly Mallozzi advocates for graphic arts companies to start a revolution and fight to keep print relevant. She may be irreverent, but what she lacks in convention, she makes up for in smart-assery.
Connect With Kelly: Twitter @SuccessInPrint and check out her weekly blog on Printing Impressions.
