In the competitive realm of sales, a strong leader can greatly impact the success of both their team and the entire company. It’s a unique position that requires level-headedness, strategic thinking, and top-notch people skills. Here are the attributes to look out for in a great sales team lead.
Communicative
Communication lies at the heart of effective leadership. Good sales leaders will convey their expectations, provide constructive feedback, and actively listen to their team members. Clear, transparent communication fosters trust, promotes transparency, and ensures alignment towards common objectives. Leaders should also be communicating outside the team to get any needed support, and to keep upper management updated.
Empathetic
Long gone are the days of authoritarian-style management. A good sales leader takes the time to familiarize themselves with each salesperson’s unique circumstances and challenges. Then, they work with that salesperson to help them achieve their goals. This builds the essential trust and appreciation a sales team needs to have in their leader. It’s much easier to stay motivated and driven, when you feel understood and supported.
Leads By Example
A crucial quality of any great leader is their ability and willingness to lead by example. Whether it's demonstrating sales techniques, embracing a strong work ethic, or embodying the organization's values, leaders set the standard for excellence. As the old adage says, actions speak louder than words, and a leader’s example will greatly affect their team’s dedication and commitment.
Good Time Management
Exceptional sales leaders understand the importance of managing time effectively, both for themselves and their team members. They prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, delegate responsibilities efficiently, and minimize distractions to maximize productivity. This can be aided in part by creating a self-reliant, confident, and trusting team. When team members feel that they can ask each other for advice and help, it reduces the amount of low-priority tasks for the team lead.
Balances Adaptability with Resilience
Working in sales can be unpredictable. When changes in the market occur, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to adapt. However, a good sales leader will not make big decisions on the fly. They should be driven by data and a constant observance of market trends. This will keep the team nimble when needed, but not flailing when things don’t go according to plan.
Celebrates Successes
Recognizing peoples’ achievements is critical in a sales environment. Not only does it help them feel valued and motivated, but it creates an environment focussed on the positive. There are many ways to celebrate success beyond straightforward sales goals. A good sales leader will look for opportunities to praise the team, spotlight individuals, and offer specific and genuine words of recognition and gratitude. For larger milestones, sales leaders should choose valuable, thoughtful, and exciting awards for their team. To find the very best in custom high-end sales awards, come to EA Dion. Our sales award rings, add-a-diamond programs, and other precious metal awards are custom crafted for each of our clients.
Getting started with Dion is easy. Our dedicated Account Managers are ready to guide you through the process, from design to shipment. Check out our gallery of past products to get inspired, or read more about how our add-a-diamond programs are perfect for sales teams. To get started with a quote, simply This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. give us a call, or send us a message!
