Sales esteem
We can learn as much sales skills as we possibly can. But sales is all about mindset. In sales, so in cold calling as well, it is useless to start without sales esteem. But what is sales esteem and how do I get it?
Sales esteem is closely related to self esteem. The definition of self esteem is “the confidence in ones own worth or abilities”. So it is also about self respect. It is important to cultivate self respect and self esteem. Honor yourself.
There are 3 types of self esteem:
- Overly high self esteem; people who see themselves superior to others.
- Low self esteem; people who see themselves inferior to others.
- Healthy self esteem; people who see themselves in their true value.
Now if we look at sales esteem we see the same definition, but it is not only about someone’s own worth and abilities, but of their products and services as well.
Here also we have 3 types. We see them as postures, because someone’s posture represents how he or she is feeling and shows their self esteem. Actually someone’s posture always reveals his or her emotions. The brain signals to the body and the other way around. This is so strong that if you’re feeling down, you can change that state fast by changing your posture as if you are very happy. Within minutes it will change your feeling. Try it!
Let’s get back to the types of sales esteem and their postures.
The 3 sales postures:
- Superior posture; this represents a sales person who is dominant in sales and sell to people that feel inferior to them.
- Inferior posture; this represents a sales person that is uncertain about themselves and act out of fear.
- Equal posture; this sales person levels with their clients. This is where we want to spend most of our time.
As a sales professional we need to have a relation with all types of postures, we need to “dance” with them. Not in our minds, but in our heart. For instance: when you have a sales conversation with a client from an equal posture position, you can change it into inferior if you ask: “Now you have seen the benefits of working together, would it be okay with you if I showed you our prices and conditions?” It is very instrumental here to use the inferior posture, because the clients now gets the feeling of getting a choice. Sometimes however you need to roll over to the superior posture to get your client to make a buy if you see he or she needs to.

Conclusion
It is very important to integrate sales esteem into your self esteem, by having self integrity as well as product integrity high on your values list, by becoming a “ giver” instead of a “taker” and by having absolute certainty in your product or service. You practice what you teach, you walk the talk. Otherwise you’re only giving lipservice; talking without conviction.
Alex Ermers








