Who is the most confident person you know?
I know that sounds a bit incomprehensible. I mean, surely, you know whether you’re confident or not, right?
But actually, the truth is that – it depends. On what I hear you ask. Good question! When I was a bit younger, I worked in a huge warehouse for a large motor manufacturing company. There were hundreds of people walking around, picking up parts for dealers you’d never meet, to service or repair cars you’d never want to own.
Naturally, I was not amused. Then there was a strike that went on for weeks. So I thought, what the heck was I doing here! I was still in my 20’s and I wanted out.
So I went into sales. Not the easy stuff, like in a shop. No. I wanted to make something of myself and provide security for my wife. Direct sales. I quickly started with a company that provided reusable signage. The hook for me was: “you’re selling sizzle, not sausages”.
You can read it again if you like, I can wait. Oh? Ready? OK. What does that mean? It’s about benefits. The phrase I repeatedly used was “which means that . . .” My potential client had to understand that he/she wasn’t buying a box of reusable plastic lettering. He was able to describe his latest offers, as they happened. Quite dynamic and, yes, I did OK with it thanks very much.
But it was all about confidence. For me that meant (and still does) I had to know and be convinced about my proposition. I would even drag them outside of the premises to see the effect they could achieve.
Have you ever tried to get the great British shop keeper to step outside of his work place to see what you mean? If you have, you’ll understand. These days, that just wouldn’t happen.
My confidence fluctuated of course. Arrogant people don’t seem to experience this reality. They end up being unethical in what they do. I make no apologies for this statement. It’s a fact. It’s clearly visible in our current society.
These days, my life’s experience has helped me to have a certain sense of confidence but not to shove it in people’s faces. If you ask, “do I believe in what I do?” The answer is yes, of course. I believe in myself and the extent of my abilities to deliver what I promise.
Surely, that’s the very definition of confidence. Isn’t it?
*with sincere apologies to any vegans reading this article.
Leave a Reply