We’ve all met that person—the one who swears by the product they’re selling but never uses it themselves. Perhaps a fitness instructor who doesn’t work out, or maybe even a vegetarian chef who eats meat in their private life. This lack of authentic commitment, this break between what we say and what we do, can have a detrimental impact on our ability to sell, influence, and inspire.
It’s interesting to note that the concept of authentic commitment is not new, but ancient, deeply ingrained in the fabric of impactful lives. One of the most compelling examples comes from the life of Jesus, a master of authentic engagement and service. “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (ESV, Matthew 9:35).
Imagine this for a moment. Jesus was not merely talking the talk; He was walking the walk. His life was a manifestation of his message, deeply rooted in his commitment to humanity and his purpose. This led people to believe not just in what he was saying, but in him as an individual. In my book, The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service, I dive into the complexities of such authentic commitment, and how it forms the cornerstone of influential salesmanship.
So, how do we manifest this level of commitment in our lives and our sales careers? It’s simpler than you might think.
The Imperative of Belief
We must first embrace the Triad of Belief—a threefold conviction in your industry, your product, and yourself. It’s about an inherent trust in the value and transformative potential of what you’re selling.
Let’s say you work in technology sales. Your belief must extend beyond just selling a device or a piece of software. It should involve a full embrace of the entire technology industry’s potential to solve global challenges, be it poverty, disease, or even educational shortcomings.
Consistency is Key
In line with the IDEAS Sales system, consistency between your personal beliefs and your professional endeavors is key. When you adapt your presentation to align with your personal convictions, you’re not just making a sales pitch. You’re opening a channel of trust.
If you are a roofing salesperson who lives in a house adorned with the very steel roofing you’re selling, your words become a reflection of your actions. This coherence enables you to serve your customer better. After all, selling is serving.
Transcending the Transactional
Like a university recruiter who doesn’t just sell a school but passionately advocates for the transformative power of higher education, your narrative must transcend the transactional and venture into the transformational. When you embody this level of commitment, your customer not only buys a product but also invests in a belief system.
The Master Salesman: Jesus and the Art of Service emphasizes the powerful impact of integrating one’s values into their sales approach. Jesus didn’t just introduce people to a new way of thinking; he introduced them to a new way of being.
The customer is ready to buy. He needs you to help him believe.
Believing is an act of alignment between the heart, the head, and the hand. A congruency between what you believe, what you say, and what you do. When you embody that level of sincerity, people don’t just listen; they believe. And when they believe, they act.
For those who wish to delve even deeper into such life-changing principles, I recommend exploring one-on-one Training, Coaching, and Life Coaching at Closer Classes. After all, every great seller was once a great student.
Article Summary
Discover the significance of authentic commitment in sales and life, drawing inspiration from one of history’s greatest influencers, Jesus. Learn how consistency between personal beliefs and professional endeavors fosters trust and how you can integrate your values into your sales approach for optimal impact.
