Let these tips guide you toward leadership and growing your direct sales team.
I want you to understand a misconception a lot of people have:
Leadership is not a skill with which we’re born. Leadership is a skill you develop. You learn. You grow.
Direct sales is a business where you can step up to leadership, bringing new challenges and opportunities.
If you’re new to leadership, below are five tips to help you grow into the type of leader that a team likes to follow.
Keep in mind that the number 1 complaint from consultants about their leaders is that they only hear from them when the leader wants to know how many sales they have!
I see that behavior all the time, making the team feel used – as if they’re only a number to help the leader get paid. It leads to resentment and negative team culture.
You don’t want to be that kind of leader. So check these tips to help you become a fabulous leader of a fantastic team.
Help your team members to feel successful
When teamies feel they are successful, it will help them build on their success and keep striving for more. Think about recognition. What are you celebrating in your team, and how are you celebrating it?
What you focus on with recognition will increase.
Do you create certificates? Do you hand out trophies? Do you post a brag in your team group on Facebook? Do you call them or go Live to congratulate them with a personal message? The more you do, the better!
If your team members are excited about their achievements, they are more likely to repeat it and strive for more. It will also inspire others in your team to strive for recognition.
Encourage effort
Not everyone in your team will achieve the standard required for public recognition. But a good leader will make everyone on the team feel valued.
Try to find a reason to congratulate as many team members as possible each week for something. A quick text message can make a big difference in helping someone feel acknowledged and valued.
Always be on the lookout for team members who’ve stepped out of their comfort zone to take action. When they do, consider going the extra mile and posting them a personal card in the mail to let them know how proud of them you are.
Even if their actions don’t lead to results this time, they might next time. And in the meantime, you have a loyal team member who feels valued.
Mark significant occasions
I keep a box of cards handy, so I’m ready to send a personal postcard when something noteworthy happens in a team member’s life.
Think of life events such as a new baby, engagement or wedding, passing of a loved one or pet, illness, etc.
It’s essential to show team members that they matter to you and that what happens in their life matters to you.
Talk less and listen more
As a leader, we have to stop trying to fix everything. Realize that your team members often already have the answer! Our job is to coach them and help them find it. (Check this article on coaching.)
It can be hard to stop ourselves from telling our team members what to do. Remember that if you let them choose their action steps, they’re far more likely to take that action!
Be a cheerleader
Be the best cheerleader you can be! When I think of cheerleaders, I think of someone happy, positive, energetic, and smiling. That’s your job!
Always be positive. Acknowledging concerns is okay, but you must continually re-focus on the positives and the next step.
Sometimes you’ll have to remind a team member of their exceptional qualities or how far they’ve come already. Sometimes you’ll need to remind them of how excellent your company is.
Focus on gratitude, focus on what’s in your control, and enjoy the process.
Want to learn all my secrets to growing a direct sales team? This book has everything I have learned from the industry in the last 20 years. I’ve tried and tested many methods to arrive at my winning formula!
