Okay, I’m a news junkie. I admit it and I feel better having admitted it. I just can’t help believing that if politicians were salespeople in today’s marketplace, they’d be out looking for a job.

When I look at top salespeople, they have the following personal skills and characteristics:

- They listen objectively to their customers
- They solve problems
- The respect their customers
- They value teamwork
- They are results-driven
- They are goal oriented people
- They are good at conflict management
- They tend to be Self-Starters who have the ability to manage themselves
- They hold themselves Personally Accountable for their actions without excuse or blame

With the bitter and sometimes vicious attacks and accusations hurled across party lines, it’s no wonder people are frustrated with their representatives.

If there are lessons politicians can learn from salespeople, they are these:

- Customers are #1
- Listen objectively to our customers and solve their problems
- Work with – not against – is the quickest way to get things done
- Don’t make excuses or place blame on others by taking personal responsibility for our own actions is a lesson most politicians missed or have forgotten

In sales, customers have the final word and those who forget the above will be fired!

This isn’t a political statement, but just an observation from a humble salesperson who is proud of his profession.

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