Beyond Baller Potential Talent

“I’m not a football expert. There’s definitely people better than me at spotting talent and I’ve got people very close to me who advise me on players. But what I am very good at is analysing the human side of the player, the mentality side. Talent’s one side but sacrifice, determination, these aspects are something else.”

The words from a profile piece [sub'n req'd] on football 'super agent', Ali Barat. Sought by the broadsheet concerned given that in the recently shut European Summer transfer window, he closed deals worth £350m.

Take out the 'football' and 'player(s)' references from the above quote. Swap in 'sales', and 'seller(s)'.

I absolutely love it when I spot Sales talent. Even better, when they're aware of what they're doing. With resolve to refine and add, to keep adapting and improving.

Beware though a whole bunch of traits that when absent, render that existence of talent redundant and doomed.

Here, 'sacrifice' and 'determination' have clear equivalents in our world.

Likewise others alluded to later in the piece; calmness and professionalism, trust and respect.

Any unfulfilled potential is a most frustrating waste. Beyond the specific instance where the requisite drive to push it through goes neglected, think of how those you work with that are also 'not experts' - in Sales for our case - would view our sales team and future recruits into it.

Ask them.

There'll be qualities outside the realm of the known selling skill set which will contribute to success in your environment. You might miss them. Your colleagues, partners and even clients, will not.