You Are a Commission Only Salesperson

I just spoke to a group of people learning to master the digital channels. I opened by asking for a show of hands as to who in the room worked as a commission only salesperson? Not a single hand was raised. I’m certain they thought I was in the wrong room.

So I asked for a show of hands from people who believed that the results that they produce in business and life are the direct result of their ability to sell themselves and their ideas, their ability to influence and persuade others. Every person in the room raised a hand. I asked again how many believed they were commission only salespeople … again, every hand.

Now I want you to raise your hand.

People don’t want to believe that they’re salespeople. But they are. You are. If you don’t describe yourself as a salesperson, it’s even worse than that: you are a commission only sales person. Whether or not you know it, believe it, or accept it, it’s true.

All of the results that you produce in business (and life) are the result of your ability to sell yourself and your ideas. The only thing that you have any modicum of control over is yourself. The best you can hope for with other people is influence; you’ll never control them. The results that you produce are necessarily the result of your ability to influence other people.

So is the money you make. The amount of money you earn (your commission) is a direct reflection of the value you create. The more people you persuade to let you create value for—and with—them, the more money you make.

Do you believe this to be true? Then what do you need to change?