Christian salespeople often live in a world of conflict.  On one hand, the world pressures us for results and, on the other, our faith tells us to leave the results to God.

           How do we navigate this tension between these two forces tugging at us?

           One approach is to strive to add certain Christian principles to our routines.

           One Christian principle to strive to add to our careers is that of “being a good employee.”  Here are ten practices which will help us manifest this principle.

Christian practices

1. Work hard for your employer. 

           You are not just working for your employer.  You are working for Christ.

           Remember the bracelets that were in vogue a number of years ago?  They were embossed with the letters ”WWJD,” which stood for “What would Jesus do?” Add a contemporary spin on that by asking, in every circumstance, “What would Jesus want me to do?”

           Colossians 3:23-24 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were         working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

2. Show respect for your managers, supervisors and owners.

           Just as God has you in the position in which He wants you, so too has he put them in their positions. Respect that and respect them. Express gratitude for your job and proactively seek ways to make them look good. 

           Even if there is tension between you and your manager, find ways to honor and respect him/her. If there is any doubt, find out specifically what they want from you and strive to provide it.

3. Don’t speak badly about anyone. 

           That includes competitors, picky customers and obnoxious colleagues. Don’t gossip and don’t talk about your customers.

4.  Adhere to the rules.

           Thinking we are above the rules is a common temptation for good salespeople. We become enamored with our role in the company, and, since we think we are so important, we tend to short-cut the rules, thinking they apply to others, but not to us. Christian salespeople don’t succumb to that temptation.

5. Be honest in everything.

           Don’t overpromise to customers, embroider situations for your manager, or exaggerate anything.  You should become known as someone who is always honest and reliable.  

6.  Go above and beyond.   

           If you are expected to make five calls a day, strive for six.  If you have a quota of $100,000, strive for $110,000.

7. Strive for excellence in what you do.

           Vince Lombardi once said, “We will strive for perfection, knowing that we will never attain it, but we will strive for it because in the process we catch excellence. “

           That’s great advice and tracks perfectly with Colossians 3:23-24, above. Christian salespeople should strive to always be in the top five percent of their sales teams.

8. Seek opportunities to influence and embrace them.

           With excellence comes opportunities to influence. Proactively seek opportunities to add a little Christian influence, and don’t miss any opportunity that comes your way. Say yes to requests to lead a prayer, join a task force, or lead a meeting. Like salt, you have been sprinkled into a dark world that needs you to season it.  Your presence adds a tiny bit of God’s love and grace to the situation.

9. Invest in yourself. 

           Your employer hired you, not just for the skills and abilities you possess, but also for your potential — who you could become in the future. You have a responsibility to grow and develop to realize your potential.  Be one of the one in 20 salespeople who routinely invest in improving themselves. Buy books, listen to podcasts, watch videos. Find something to improve every month.

           Strive to create a greater impact in your world by becoming more competent and accomplished.

10. Shun even the appearance of evil.

           If anything looks shady, or like a shortcut that someone may misinterpret, avoid it.        Titus 2:7-8

           ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching      show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be       condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have      nothing bad to say about us.

           As a Christian in the world of sales, you are in a challenging position.  As such, you have greater than average potential to make a mark for the Kingdom. Use these ten practices to manifest the principle of ‘being a good employee,’ and you’ll be well on your way.