Unlocking Your Sales Potential: A Journey of Confidence and Skill with Ashley Blackmore

The best gift we can give ourselves as women, is the gift to learn how to sell, but women face a unique set of challenges that can test their confidence and resilience. As someone who's navigated these turbulent waters, I've seen firsthand how doubts and insecurities can cloud our potential. It's a journey fraught with hurdles, from battling stereotypes to proving our worth in traditionally male-dominated spaces. But amidst these challenges lies a powerful opportunity for growth, transformation, and empowerment.

Recognizing and leveraging our innate (God-given) and learned (human-taught) skills is crucial in this journey. Each of us possesses a unique blend of talents and abilities—some that we're born with and others that we acquire through experience and education. The key to success in sales, and indeed in any profession, is to harness these skills effectively, turning potential into action and aspirations into achievements.

Today, I want to take you on an empowering journey, one that I, Ashley Blackmore, have traversed with its highs and lows, to discover the essence of selling with confidence. This isn't just about sales strategies or closing deals; it's about unlocking the profound power within you, enabling you to stand tall in the face of adversity and shine in your authentic light.

The Challenge of Confidence in Sales

When I first started in sales, it was selling t-shirts that I had designed and was selling out of our store front location. It was then that I learned that the journey into sales is often accompanied by a battle against self-doubt. Questions like "Am I good enough?" or "Do I belong here?" can linger in our minds, casting shadows over our ambitions. For many women, these doubts are exacerbated by the lack of representation in leadership positions and the pervasive gender biases that still exist in many sales environments.

However, overcoming these confidence hurdles is not just possible—it's essential for anyone looking to make their mark in the sales world. The first step is acknowledging that these feelings are normal and that overcoming them is part of the process of growth.

Innate vs. Learned Skills in Sales

Understanding the distinction between innate and learned skills is vital. Innate skills are those natural talents we're born with. Perhaps you're a natural listener, have an empathetic nature, or possess an uncanny ability to read people's emotions. These are your God-given gifts, the core strengths that you can leverage to build trust and relationships in sales.

On the other hand, learned skills are acquired through training, experience, and deliberate practice. These include negotiation techniques, product knowledge, sales strategies, and the ability to use sales technologies. In the world of sales, continuously honing these skills is crucial to staying competitive and effective.

The best way for me to have learned this was the day I got a plain piece of paper out and drew 2 columns, strengths and weaknesses. Above the two columns I answered the question “what did my parents say about me growing up, what did friends, and peers say about me” that was my god given gifts. I made sure to write those into my strengths columns to make sure that I didnt allow the human trained skills I had learn cloud exactly who I am.

Strengths : authenticity, achiever, not afraid to take risks, goal oriented

Weaknesses: staying on task, easily distracted, imposter syndrome.

Those were just a few of mine.

Embarking on the Empowering Journey

The road to becoming a confident saleswoman is both challenging and rewarding. It involves a deep dive into self-awareness, acknowledging your strengths, and recognizing the areas where growth is needed. Here's how you can start:

1. Self-Reflection: Begin with introspection. Identify your innate skills and consider how they can serve you in sales. Are you an excellent communicator? Do you have a knack for understanding customer needs? These are your superpowers.

2. Skill Development: Invest in learning and development. Whether it's attending workshops, enrolling in courses, or seeking mentorship, prioritize the acquisition of new sales skills. Remember, proficiency breeds confidence.

3. Practice and Application: Theory without practice is like a car without fuel—it won't take you far. Apply your skills in real-world scenarios. Start small if you need to, but start. Each experience is a step towards mastery.

4. Feedback and Growth: Constructive feedback is invaluable. It provides insights into your performance and areas for improvement. Embrace it with an open mind and a commitment to continuous improvement.

5. Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with allies and mentors who uplift and support you. A strong network can provide guidance, encouragement, and invaluable insights as you navigate your sales career.

6. Celebrating Every Win: No victory is too small to celebrate. Each success, no matter how minor it may seem, is a testament to your growth and resilience. Let these moments fuel your confidence and drive.

As women in sales, our journey is uniquely ours, but it's also universally shared. By recognizing and leveraging both our innate and learned skills, we can overcome the confidence hurdles that stand in our way. Remember, the essence of selling isn't just about transactions—it's about connections, relationships, and the profound impact we can make through our authenticity and skill.

Let's embrace this journey together, with confidence and determination, as we unlock our full potential in the world of sales. Here's to the empowering journey ahead, where we not only sell with confidence but thrive with purpose and passion.

Ashley Blackmore