Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Dave Schoenbeck
Very few business owners, executives, and hiring managers believe their introverted staff can excel in a sales role. However, an introvert can become a killer salesperson if encouraged to use their natural strengths.
Here’s what you need to know about successful selling for an introvert:
What Is an Introvert?
Diversity is essential for any team, so hiring various personality types is a good idea. However, it’s important not to write off introverted candidates based on unconscious bias. If you can overcome a few limiting qualities, you can master successful selling for introverts.
We need to look at their behavioral style to understand what introverts are and how they see the world. For example, an introvert simply enjoys spending time alone and often prefers that to the company of others.
The introverted behavioral style is best described as:
- Contemplative
- Conflict-avoidant
- Enjoys well-defined standards and processes
- Likes being alone
- Driven by correctness, accuracy, and logic
- Comfortable with order and planning
- Strong organizer
- Tendency to over-analyze
- Strong attention to detail
- Self-aware
- Can be a worrier
- Measures worth by precision, accuracy, and quality of results
While good salespeople are usually gregarious and good with people, which are traits commonly associated with an extroverted personality type, you can see how many qualities of an introvert could be great for a salesperson.
Sales Tips for Introverts
Successful selling for introverts is about harnessing your super-power strengths. Sales for introverts can be challenging, as people skills often don’t come quickly. However, many introvert traits can be incredibly helpful in sales.
For example, introverts tend to be more organized than their extroverted pals, with greater attention to detail and a desire to do things right the first time. Personal organization is essential in sales, where you must stay on top of your leads and remember times and dates for meetings and follow-ups.
Introverts might be quiet and thoughtful, but this also makes them sensitive to what others think and feel. An introvert might get a more accurate read on a potential client due to their self-awareness, and it can better alleviate their concerns and put them at ease.
While networking for introverts can push the boundaries of their comfort zone, it can be done. The key is to be intentional about how you spend your energy. Mindlessly attending every networking event in town will drain your energy. Still, if you focus on one promising event instead, you can use that time to make meaningful connections without burning out.
If you are considering hiring an introverted salesperson, the most important thing to consider is their motivation level. Successful selling for introverts depends on whether they are goal-oriented, driven, and have a solid need to be influential. Introverts that are highly motivated in this way can and will be very successful.
Introverts can be very prolific salespeople. Understanding behavioral styles and how they fit into vocations is a personal interest, and I would love to teach you more about them. So please fill out my contact form, and let’s talk about successful selling for introverts as it pertains to you and your team.
Coach Dave
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