Importance of Emotional Intelligence in a Sales Role

This might seem obvious to you, but if you are in a good headspace then your sales calls will likely be more successful. Entrepreneur.com put out a great article detailing how emotional intelligence can grow your book of business and sales numbers (linked below). But how do you make sure you are in the right headspace to make those daunting cold calls?

If you are like me, and I cannot be the only one out there, you hate the phone. For a few years of my life I jumped around job positions that required large amounts of my day, if not the entire day, to be spent on the phone. Rather that be fielding incoming calls or making cold calls, I grew to dislike talking on the phone. It even translated over to my personal life! I generally will opt to do the live chat on Amazon versus a phone call, or an online hotel reservation versus calling the reservation line. But I have found myself back in a client development role that is largely email based but still requires phone calls. I found this article very insightful on the ins and outs of how my mood can affect my success on those calls.

See below for my key takeaways:

  • EI has 5 main components – motivation, self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and social regulation
  • Acknowledge your emotional state and feelings, as well as the prospects reactions, both before and after calls
  • Create rhythm in your life with a strong routine, set attainable goals, and reward yourself when you reach those goals
  • Find your lasting motivation in life – this will drive success and happiness in your personal life and your career
  • Be sure you are emotionally connecting with your clients by asking open ended questions, allowing them to speak, and hearing what they share about their work or life

Do you take steps like this in your day to day life – what success have you seen with it? If not, are you thinking “no, this isn’t for me,” or do you think you may start to implement it? What are your thoughts on this insight?

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Another awesome article outlining the importance emotional intelligence on a sales team to help avoid burnout and foster success!