In our increasingly competitive world, especially in the realm of sales, crafting a unique identity goes beyond flashy advertising and transactional engagements. It calls for a commitment to a purpose that transcends surface-level interactions. If you’re grappling with how to resonate with your customers in a meaningful way, perhaps it’s time to look at an unlikely yet profoundly impactful role model: Jesus of Nazareth. His life, documented in my book, The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service, provides enduring principles of sincerity, service, and transformation that can change how you sell—by teaching you how to serve.
Every person in a sales role, like any other profession, has a unique story that motivated them to choose their career. Whether it’s the doctor impassioned to heal or the real estate agent committed to finding families their forever homes, these narratives matter. They’re not just your past; they’re the very essence of what you bring to your client relationships. Jesus’ ministry provides an unparalleled blueprint for crafting this kind of authentic identity. His life was not about grandiosity but about an unyielding intention to serve.
From a worldly perspective, Jesus lacked what we might consider necessary for tremendous impact—wealth, formal education, or societal status. He began his divine mission humbly, with an approach rooted deeply in love for humanity. His service wasn’t about attracting crowds but about meeting the genuine physical and spiritual needs of people. “But Jesus said, ‘There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.’ …They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed” (MSG, Matthew 14, 16-21). His miracle of feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish illustrates the power of genuine service, a lesson that is as applicable today as it was then. When you approach your role with a sincere intention to help, you’ll find that resources and opportunities materialize, often in ways you’d never expect.
This commitment to serve extended even to mundane responsibilities. In one instance, Jesus was required to pay taxes. His solution was as remarkable as it was instructive: “…Go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself” (ESV, Matthew 17:27). What this reinforces is that sincerity and commitment can overcome even the most unconventional challenges, particularly when coupled with faith.
How can these life lessons from Jesus fit into a modern sales strategy? For one, aligning with the IDEAS Sales System can help you shift from transactional to transformative sales. This involves Introducing yourself to customers intentionally, Discovering their needs through active listening, Evaluating their responses thoughtfully, Adapting your approach to offer the most value, and finally, Serving to genuinely improve their lives. Jesus’ approach to lifting out of obscurity and touching lives fits perfectly within this framework. Moreover, embodying the Triad of Belief—belief in your industry, your product, and most importantly, in yourself—can catalyze this transformation, enabling you to transfer that belief to your customers.
Serving people sincerely doesn’t mean that financial stability takes a backseat. Quite the contrary; it becomes a natural byproduct of your service. If this approach resonates with you, consider diving deeper by reading The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service. Also, if you wish to put these principles into practice under expert guidance, consider getting one-on-one Training, Coaching, and Life Coaching at Closer Classes.
The customer is ready to buy. He needs you to help him believe.
Article Summary
This article explores how principles from Jesus’ life can inform a more authentic, service-oriented approach to sales. Learning from Jesus’ genuine intention to serve, we understand that crafting an identity through purpose and service can transform sales from mere transactions to meaningful relationships.
