(E10) The sales expert Jessica Lorimer

Jan 8

What can leaders learn from a sales expert?

I used to think sales was something I didn’t need to pay attention to. My focus as a communications expert was to engage, take people with us, not do the tell and sell, which felt emotionless and directive and rarely won hearts and minds for change to happen.

But over the past couple of years I’ve had a rethink on what sales means - thanks to some great mentors and coaches - and I’ve come to realise it’s a hidden gem for leaders to embrace.

In this episode I’m delighted to talk to Jessica Lorimer, a bone-fide sales expert and a mentor for me over the past year or so. Jess works with organisations and business owners to take the sleaze out of sales and show that it can be a real business asset.

We talk about:

what sales actually means
the transferable practical and emotional intelligence skills required
the art of a good conversation
being a good listener, and how to adapt when having ADHD
avoiding small talk, building rapport and networks
consistency, discipline and self-leadership
dealing with rejection
knowing when to be persistent and when to back off
what it means to be a leader who is neurodivergent and has a long-term condition

Resources and helpful links