Emotional Intelligence in Sales

Your emotions are sabotaging your million-dollar decisions every single day. As a business coach, I've watched countless entrepreneurs torpedo their own success because they let feelings drive their strategy. That "gut feeling" to pivot your entire business model? The urge to slash prices when a competitor launches? The impulse to hire your friend's nephew because he "seems motivated"? These aren't strategic moves - they're emotional reactions that cost you revenue, time, and market position. The most successful business owners I work with have mastered one critical skill: emotional discipline. They pause, analyze, and decide based on data and long-term vision, not temporary feelings. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟭. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟰-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲. Never make major decisions in the heat of the moment. Sleep on it, review your numbers, then decide. 𝟮. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀. Establish clear criteria for common decisions before emotions get involved. When opportunity or crisis hits, you'll have objective guidelines to follow. 𝟯. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱. Surround yourself with trusted advisors who can provide outside perspective when your emotions cloud judgment. Remember: feelings are temporary, but business decisions have lasting consequences. Master your emotions, and you'll master your market. #businesscoach #strategies #emotionaldiscipline

Your pricing tells a story. For many women in business, that story often sounds like: “Will they think it’s too expensive?” “Maybe I should lower it to make it easier for them.” “What if no one pays at this price?” But here’s the truth: undercharging doesn’t serve you or your clients. When you discount your worth, you also downplay the transformation you create. That’s why before you set your price, it’s worth checking your P.O.W.E.R.: • Panic or Purpose → Are you pricing out of fear or alignment? • Offer Value → What real results are you delivering? • Worth vs. Worry → Are you shrinking back or standing tall? • External Noise → Is this number for them, or for you? • Real Numbers → Does your data back it up? And let’s be clear: making your offer more accessible does not mean lowering your value. Instead of cutting yourself short, you can: - Offer tiered options - Add bonuses - Use clear, no-surprise pricing Sometimes, all you need is a quick mindset reset, a reminder that your work changes lives and deserves to be priced with confidence. So the next time you catch yourself second-guessing your numbers, pause. Re-center. Stand tall. Your pricing has power, own it.

Thriving in Enterprise Tech Sales as a Woman (AKA How to Be a Boss in a Boys’ Club 😎 ) Enterprise tech sales isn’t for the faint of heart. Add in being one of the few women in the room, and you learn real quick how to navigate, stand out, and win. 🏆 After nearly a decade in the game, here’s what I’ve learned about thriving in a male-dominated industry: 🚀 Know Your Stuff. Customers don’t care about your gender—just your expertise. Master the product, the industry, and the business impact, and you’ll earn trust fast. 🎤 Speak Up (Even If You’re the Only Woman in the Room). If you have an idea, say it. If you get interrupted, take the floor back. If you’re overlooked, make them regret it by closing the biggest deal. 📊 Let the Numbers Talk. Pipeline, quota, deal velocity—numbers don’t have a gender. Data is your best defense against bias and your best offense for a raise. 🤝 Find Your Crew. Whether it’s mentors, sponsors, or peers—surround yourself with people who push you forward. And if you don’t see the network you need? Build it. ⚖️ Set Boundaries Like a Boss. Travel, late nights, high-pressure deals—it’s part of the job. But so is knowing when to say no. Protect your time, and don’t apologize for having a life outside of work. 🔥 Flip Bias on Its Head. If they assume you’re not technical, blow them away with deep product knowledge. If they expect soft skills, hit them with a flawless deal strategy. If they underestimate you—thank them for the easy win. 💰 Ask for the Promotion. Negotiate the Raise. Take the Big Accounts. No one’s handing out golden tickets. Know your value and go get what you’ve earned. Women in tech sales—what’s been your biggest power move? Let’s swap notes. 👇 #WomenInTech #TechSales #BoysClub

"Push harder. Sell more." I woke up, and within 1 hour this was the first thing I'd hear. Back then, I was selling security systems. Door-to-door. In the blistering heat. 12 hours a day. My sales? Zero. Day after day. I wanted to go home. I thought, "what the hell am I doing here, as a female, walking around in dangerous places trying to make a buck?" But my sales coach just kept telling me, "Push harder. Sell more." 👊🏼 But one day, everything changed. And it wasn't about the pitch. It was about the connection. I was running on fumes that day. I must've been a month in at this point, and my cash was running low. It was now or never. I had to land a sale TODAY, or I would go home - broke & disappointed in myself. I walked up to door number 28 of the day. When I saw the look of distain on the lady's face from yet another saleperson walking up to her door, I just asked for a bottle of water. She looked confused, she must've wondered why I didn't appear desperate like all the others who came up. I was desperate, just more desperate for water at this point. The thing about the midwest, is that midwestern hospitality. This lady wasn't gonna let me leave until I drank ALL that water down. So, we sat down. We just talked. No sales talk. Just human to human. That conversation? 👉🏻 It turned into my first sale that year. And that summer, I wasn't just a salesperson. I was a top performer. And guess what? I was one of only three females on the team. Here's what I learned about the art of the soft sell: Connection before conversion • Forget selling for a moment. Focus on connecting. • Share your story. Listen to theirs. Build that trust. Authentic conversation • The best conversations don't start with a sale. They start with a genuine interest. • Be curious. Be human. The rest will follow. Trust Is your true currency • Once trust is built, curiosity follows. "Tell me more about what you do." • That's your cue. They're interested. Now, you can share. Just like my door-to-door days, LinkedIn isn't about the hard sell. It's about: • Building connections. • Starting real conversations. • Earning trust. And then? The sales naturally follow. So next time you're about to "push your services," remember: It's not about pushing harder. It's about connecting deeper. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about making a sale. It's about making a difference. ---- I'm Haley Lytle 🪩 I write about emails, content, & LinkedIn strategy. Follow me for more tips like this. ♻️ Repost to help your network #sales #linkedinstrategy #leadgeneration

✴ This post in not to encourage women to negotiate their compensation more. The studies already show that we are doing just that. ✴ Instead, it is about feeling free to leverage your authentic style - your feminine energy to do it. ✴ In my upcoming book, "Your Power Unleashed" I talk about the notion that successful negotiation requires adopting a stereotypically masculine approach. ✴ This belief suggests that traits such as competitiveness, a win-lose mentality, and aggression are better suited for negotiations, while feminine energy and traits are undervalued. One style is not better than the other ... the best can flex their approach and use an integrated style as needed. ✴ If we continue to look at one style as inferior to the other, we will never effectively leverage the upsides of both. ✨ I cannot wait for the release of this episode with Limor Bergman Gross on her podcast "From A Woman To A Leader" next week Wednesday! Where we have on in depth salary negotiation as a woman in corporate. In the meantime here are some Practical Tips for Incorporating Your Feminine Traits in Salary Negotiation: 1. Prepare Thoroughly: Research industry standards and gather data to support your salary request. Understand the needs and constraints of your employer to tailor your approach. 2. Build Rapport via empathy and active listening Use empathy and active listening to build a connection with the other party. Show genuine interest in their perspective and concerns. 3. Frame as Collaboration: Position the negotiation as a collaborative effort to find a solution that benefits both parties. Use language that emphasizes mutual goals and shared success. 4. Be Open and Flexible: Allow the conversation to unfold naturally, without rushing to conclusions. Be open to exploring different solutions and compromises. 5. Use Your Intuition: Trust your instincts to guide the conversation and understand the underlying dynamics. Create a supportive environment that encourages openness and honesty. 6. Assert with Firmness and Kindness: Clearly articulate your needs and boundaries while showing respect and understanding for the other party’s position. Balance firmness with kindness to maintain a positive and productive dialogue. However, Know the difference between being KIND and NICE ... the goal is to create the environment for dual respect not an attempt to do the dance to be liked. Which one of these steps have you tried or even are reluctant to? Share your experience in the comments. What do you think about the concept of integrating masculine and feminine traits to increase effectiveness in negotiation?

Hot Take 🌶: When female founders mimic their male counterparts in investor conversations, it triggers a... less than favorable response. Why does this happen? In a Nutshell: It's simply because authenticity trumps imitation. 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐧 🤷♀️ and the investor community responds differently to them. 👀 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Investors are generally wired to expect and celebrate risk-taking and bold visions from male founders. This anticipation shapes their perception of confidence, which looks distinctly different when it comes from a female founder. Regrettably, this bias leads to a more critical examination of female founders. Investors tend to focus intensively on metrics, delve into backgrounds, and pose questions that may not always be relevant, showcasing a disparity in treatment that male founders rarely face. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬? I advocate a different approach to all the female founders I mentor - Embrace and embody your inherent feminine strengths in these interactions. Your natural power lies in your authenticity, your empathy, your resilience, and your compassion—qualities that are uniquely yours. 👩💻 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬: Being genuinely yourself, showing vulnerability, and leaning into your innate nurturing and empathetic nature can be far more impactful than attempting to fit a traditional mold of confidence. This approach not only sets you apart but also resonates more deeply with those who value true vision and potential. 💌 𝐀 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: To all the visionary female founders out there, if you're seeking to secure funding with authenticity and strength, let's connect. I am dedicated to your success and offer specialized support to help you shine in your true light and secure the investment you deserve. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, as part of my commitment to empowering women in the startup ecosystem. Let's work together to make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality. #femalefounders #femaleempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #womeninleadership #womeninbusiness

Ramblings of a startup co founder (who happens to be a mom): Ep 28 "Sorry, could I just..." "I was thinking, maybe..." "This might be a silly question, but..." I used to begin every sentence this way. Until one day, I realized: I was apologizing for existing in a space I had earned. Let's talk about the uncomfortable truth of being a woman in tech—not just the statistics, but the raw, daily reality of navigating spaces that weren't built for us, but desperately need us. Self-Possession: I remember sitting in a meeting room, surrounded by men, my heart pounding before sharing an innovative solution I'd spent weeks perfecting. As I opened my mouth, another voice cut through: "Let's hear from someone technical first." That moment changed everything. Not because it broke me—because it woke me. Your expertise isn't up for debate. Your presence isn't a diversity statistic. Your voice isn't an optional contribution. When They Question Your Expertise: Don't justify. —> Demonstrate. Don't explain. —> Execute. Don't shrink. —> Expand. Respond to doubters with: "Let me walk you through my technical approach." "Here's the architecture I've designed." "These are the results of my analysis." "Let's look at the data supporting my solution." The Power Moves: 1. Document Everything - Keep a folder of your technical wins - Track project impacts - Save positive feedback - Document instances of your solutions working 2. Build Your Army - Create alliance networks - Mentor intentionally - Support visibly - Champion fiercely 3. Take Up Space - Claim the meeting room - Share your technical blog posts - Present at conferences - Lead technical discussions - Challenge flawed assumptions To Every Woman in Tech: When they say you're "too aggressive" — you're being assertive When they call you "too emotional" — you're being passionate When they suggest you're "not technical enough" — you're being thorough When they think you're "too direct" — you're being clear When they hint you're "not a culture fit" — you're disrupting the status quo And that's exactly what tech needs. The tech industry doesn't need women who apologize for their presence. It needs women who: - Challenge broken systems - Question biased assumptions - Demand better practices - Create inclusive cultures - Lead with their full power Remember: Your presence is not a privilege they're granting you. Their resistance is a sign you're changing something that needs to change. Tell us about a moment when you stopped apologizing and started commanding. How did you transform from accepting the status quo to challenging it? Because every time you share your story, another woman in tech realizes she's not alone. And together, we're not just taking up space—we're creating new spaces, better spaces, spaces where future generations of women won't have to fight to belong. #WomenInTech #OwnYourPower #TechLeadership #WomenWhoCode #BreakingBarriers #Innovation #TechInclusion

Something all women entrepreneurs need to realize is that the people charging 3x more than you aren't usually the best. They just believe in this one thing you might not yet: When I was just starting my business, I made every textbook mistake you could possibly think of. I hosted events, built a network, and delivered value that changed lives. Only problem was, I didn’t charge for my time because I didn’t believe it was worth anything (I was wrong). And when I finally did start charging for my services? I underpriced myself into the ground. Here’s the tough truth most women don't realize until it's too late: If you don’t believe the number you’re asking for, no one else will either. And that’s not an intellectual problem. It’s a mindset one, a spiritual one. Because self-worth isn’t something you think your way into. It’s something you train for, just like going to the gym. You work it daily, you surround yourself with people who reflect a new reality back to you... and most importantly, you stop doing it alone. The other massive mistake I made early on was not hiring a business coach early enough. Truth is, I spent too many years throwing spaghetti at the wall. Too many years watching mediocre people charge more, before realizing the only difference was that they believed they could. But that shift didn’t come from luck. It came from market research. Actually getting out there and studying the competition. Then listening, learning, and recalibrating from the findings. So for any women building your business or personal brand, remember to ask yourself 3 simple questions: 1. Are you in the room with people who see your value? 2. Are you aligned with what you’re asking for? 3. Are you doing the work to actually own it? Because none of it happens by accident. But all of it's possible, as long as you finally start showing up for yourself.

It's not every day you get to learn from a true CEB OG and incredibly successful SVP of Sales.   So when you get the chance to hear from Preeya Voss, you should take notes. Here are my takeaways from what she shared:   Men, there are a lot of unconscious behaviors that can undermine our women colleagues.   And we may not realize it, so this is a chance for us to be more intentional.   Key things to avoid:   ❌ Putting women down via name calling   That might sound like: she's a diva or high maintenance.   Generally we seems to be getting better at this, however one thing that still happens quite a bit:   ❌ Deciding which roles women should play in meetings.   Simply assuming or assigning tasks because they seem like a gender fit, is both unfair and can really impact whether our colleagues feel valued.   What can we do?   ✅ Show vulnerability, be open & honest.   ✅ Admitting mistakes or saying we don't have all the answers goes a long way.   (I'm looking at you mainsplainers, which is probably most of us)   All kidding aside, it's not a bad thing to check yourself every now and then and even ask: "was that mainsplaining?"   Preeya also shared some awesome aspects of her career growth and learnings:   In sales no one has 100% conversion rate, it's ok to not get everything right. ✍   Though you shouldn't wing it, preparation with data is key. 🔢   And, finally everyone, but especially women to women, let's promise not to tear each other down. 🙌   Great way to start off a Friday, thanks so much to Veronica C., Rachel Schmid and everyone else who organized this fantastic #IWD24 talk! 👏 👏 👏