If you are like most other Christian salespeople, you are serious about your job. You recognize that the world holds you to a higher standard, and you want to perform as well as you can.
While this is common, and perfectly acceptable, it is not enough!
There is more.
Expanding your influence.
Let me explain.
We are all familiar with this passage from the Gospel of Matthew:
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14 – 16 (NIV)
Applied to our current circumstances, it commands all of us, including Christian salespeople, to be a light in the dark spaces in which we find ourselves. Our companies, our customers, our prospects, our vendors, our colleagues – all represent a dark space that is craving the light of Christ shining through us.
Now, let’s add to that understanding, the charge to do more.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48 (NIV)
As a Christian salesperson you fall into the category of those who have been entrusted with much. Relative to your associates, your colleagues and to the world, you have been given much and more will be asked of you.
You may not think of it this way, but you are in a unique position to influence those around them – light in a dark world.
You probably have more developed people skills, are a self-starter, can manage yourself to a greater degree than your associates, are more disciplined than others, are more confident and make more money than most others in your organization..
You have been given more. Therefore, more will be expected of you. Doing well at your job is fine, but it’s not enough.
In addition to striving for excellence in your job, you should seek to expand your influence.
Merriman-Webster defines influence like this: Influence is the power or capacity to affect the character, development, or behavior of someone or something indirectly. As a noun, it means a subtle or unseen force that creates change; as a verb, it means to sway or have an impact on a person or outcome without using direct force.
As a Christian, we can understand expanding our influence as shining our light in the darkness. We are responsible for doing it and doing it in greater quantity and quality then the average man in the street.
Here are four steps to begin to enlarge your influence:
1 Acknowledge the need and agree to seek it.
The world is full of Christians who think their Christian responsibilities end when they walk out of the church building. Don’t be one of those.
Understand that you are in a unique and special ministry, and that you have a greater responsibility to shine your light. Acknowledge that and decide to set your mind and heart to the issue.
After three decades of working with salespeople and sales leaders, I have observed that most people are average because they want to be. They just don’t have the drive to excel. And, those who excel at their professions begin with the drive to stand out. They excel because they want to.
It begins with your mindset. If you are going to excel and expand your influence you must decide to do so.
2. Recognize the connection between excellence and influence.
I worked full time in a high-end men’s clothing store to pay my way through college. The chain had four suburban stores and its headquarters downtown. I did well and became the top salesperson in the four outlying stores.
One of our lines was a series of designer suits by Oleg Cassini, a notable designer. One day, he came to town to promote his line, and my company sponsored a cocktail party/press conference for him. Of all the salespeople in the suburban sgtores, I was the only one invited.
It wasn’t because I was a cocktail party star, nor better looking or more charming. It was because I was the top salesperson. It was then that I realized the connection between excellence and influence. Those who do well are acceded greater influence.
After a football game, the TV commentators don’t interview the second stringers. They interview the stars. It is the winners at the Grammy and Emmy awards who have the opportunity for 30-second acceptance speeches.
In every area of endeavor, it’s those who are the exceptional performers who have an opportunity to influence more.
That means that achieving excellence in your job is a path toward greater influence.
I have named my on-line community the X-I community, with X standing for Excellence, and I for Influence – the two things for which every committed professional should strive.
3. Accept every opportunity to let your light shine.
At company meetings, I was often asked to say an opening prayer. I aways accepted. As a speaker at conventions, the organizers would occasionally have an optional worship service for those interested conventiongoers I always accepted the offer to speak.
You don’t have to preach. You don’t have to convert anyone. You just have to be a conduit for the Holy Spirit in the moment and the place you find yourself.
Over 30+ years, I don’t think I ever turned down an offer to let my light shine.
As you become more confident in your Christianity and more visible to the world, you will have offers to contribute. Be aware of the opportunities and step up when asked.
4. Don’t just react to offers, aggressively seek them out
Continually look for opportunities to contribute above and beyond your job The company may need a task force for new products or someone to represent the company at association meetings; there may be a local chamber of commerce, needing more members; the local PTA may need someone of your skills, etc.
You get the idea The world is full of opportunities for accomplished confident Christians to make an impact and have influence.
It comes with the territory.
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If you’re ready to:
– Sharpen your skills
– Increase your sales and income
– And build a career you can be proud of
…then I invite you to join me as a charter member of the Kahle Way B2B Sales Excellence Club – Christian salesperson track.
The Kahle Way ® Sales Excellence Club is a practical, ongoing system to help serious B2B salespeople consistently grow their sales, confidence, and career while having an impact on the Kingdom.
Specialty tracks for Christian Salespeople and Sales Leaders.
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