Is greed in sales good?
In the film “Wall Street,” Gordon Gekko proclaims that “greed is good.”
Is it?
Is answering that with a noncommittal answer of “kind-of” a copout? Let’s explore that. Meriam Webster defines greed this way:
A selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed.
When to be greedy and when to be giving.
I teach that the best way to make a career in the sales profession is to sell to help. To be giving. I encourage you to be generous with your time, information, and resources.
That doesn’t seem very greedy.
Some ways to be helpful:
- Send out positive vibes
- Give more than expected
- Be more helpful than anyone you know
- Be kind to everyone
- Look for opportunities to use your skills, knowledge, and life experiences to benefit others.
For example, give larger than expected to your barista, servers, and others who provide you with services. Regardless of your financial capabilities, be generous to those who work for you. I doubt you’ll miss the extra dollar tip, but it might make all the difference to someone working for nearly minimum wage.
Donate to causes that are important to you. (Church, the homeless, world hunger, neighborhood improvement, etc.)
In all situations, give of yourself, your time, your talents, and your wealth.
Think big!
God has given you endless opportunities, and there is enough money to make everyone very wealthy. Some resources say that there is $1.3 quadrillion in various currencies worldwide. (in the form of investments, derivatives, and cryptocurrencies). You have access to enough money to give your barista an extra $3. (I look forward to your emails telling me how wrong I am.)
When to be greedy
Be greedy with your belief in opportunity.
Let’s restate the Meriam Webster definition in the first person and in the context that we’re talking about:
“I have a selfish and excessive belief that there is more opportunity than is needed.”
There is opportunity everywhere you look.
How much of that $1,300,000,000,000,000.00 is your share, and what do you need to do to get it?
Believe that the world will reward you, and you will be rewarded.
David Schwartz says in his book The Magic of Thinking Big writes:
“When you believe something is impossible, your mind goes to work for you to prove why. But when you believe, really believe, something can be done, your mind goes to work for you and helps you find the ways to do it.”
Belief does not take the place of hard work. Sitting at home waiting for your rewards is not going to work.
Belief does not take the place of investing in yourself. Ignorant belief does not result in reward.
Belief does not take the place of sacrifice. You may have to refocus your energy and time away from comfort.
Belief does not take the place of motivation. You will have to go into the world where that $1.3 quadrillion exists and grab your share.
Be courageous enough to do it.
This is where most people fail. They know what’s out there. They believe they have the ability but lack the courage to trust it. They don’t step off the cliff. I don’t know what courageousness looks like for you, but I do know that without it, the most generous, ambitious person won’t reach their potential.
The formula for success:
Generosity + ambition + courageousness + belief = excessive rewards
Be generous
Be Ambitious
Be courageous.
Believe it’s possible.
Don’t let them steal from you. Be greedy.
If you’re going to be greedy, be greedy with that formula. Don’t let the doubters diminish your generosity, ambition, courage, or belief.
