Velocity Mindset
In the mid-2000s, I was lying in a hospital bed recovering from back surgery when a difficult question hit me: What haven’t I done with my life? And why? When you’re forced to slow down, clarity shows up. I realized that unrealized goals rarely come down to talent or opportunity. They come down to three…
Most professionals ask the wrong question. They ask: “How do I improve what I’m already doing?” High performers ask: “What outcome do I really want to achieve?” That shift changes everything. Because when you focus on activity, you stay busy. When you focus on outcomes, you become strategic. And here’s the real problem… We let…
Things like AI and other issues come second. The first question is: what do you want to achieve for yourself? If you are not happy with what you are achieving on an annual basis, what would make you happy? What would make you feel fulfilled? It has to be specific, and it has to be…
Let’s talk about what’s happening in the market right now: tariffs, inflation, supply chain pressure, price. Customers are cautious. Decisions are slower. And suddenly everyone’s favorite strategy is discounting, because nothing says “premium solution” like dropping your price faster than your confidence. Inside the company, it usually sounds like this: Sales says, “We’ve got to…
Most people think velocity is blocked by outside forces—other people, missed signals, bad timing. The truth is far more uncomfortable…and far more powerful. It turns out the biggest obstacle that gets in our way is internal, and it starts with the stories we create every day. Everything that someone says or does to you, you…
Every conversation you have is shaping a story in someone else’s mind—and if you are not aware of it, that story could be working against you. We are emotional creatures. Like a strength, it can help us—but if it is overused, it becomes a weakness. Anything you say to me or do to me, all…
A quick question: have you ever shared what you thought was a brilliant idea, and the reaction you got back was a polite nod, crossed arms, or the classic, “Yeah, let’s think about it”? Same idea, same words, same logic and yet it landed with all the impact of a wet noodle. Here’s why. Have…
I became a speaker for the wrong reason. I figured if I could be on stage and slay my dragons by being proverbially naked in front of the audience, then I had made it and gotten rid of all my fears. That’s not true. That was being self-focused, and it didn’t help the audience. I…
Before you even introduce yourself, your prospect’s hormones have already voted on you. The question is: did you win? In the first few seconds of any interaction, their brain is quietly—but decisively—determining whether to trust you, engage with you, or shut down completely. And it all comes down to three key hormones neuroscience identifies: cortisol,…
You know, there’s a phrase from my childhood that stuck with me for decades. It wasn’t inspirational. It wasn’t wise. It was—“You’re a fraud.” My father said it to me. T And it became a lightning bolt that hit me every single time I tried to do something big. And here’s the worst part… There…
Do you feel like you’ve lost control of your life because of the COVID-19 crisis? The feeling of loss of control is one of the biggest challenges all of us are facing. Before the crisis, we had to-do lists, dreams and plans. And then one day, POOF! – our world was turned upside down. So…
So what is a good strategy for selling during this crises? Try making HELP calls vs SALES calls. In today’s video I share how to use empathy to create an environment where your clients or customers feel safe to talk and actually hear the power and value of your offer. #HelpingIsNewSelling #COVID19crisis #VelocityMindset
The economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business once and for all. It’s now safe to admit that there will be no going “back to normal.” Instead, what we are experiencing right now IS the new normal – and it will be this way for awhile. So how…
While sellers are constantly working to sharpen their sales techniques, buyers have become more sophisticated as well. One growing trend I’ve noticed is that sellers often get outplayed by savvy buyers, who have been schooled in the art of negotiation. Sellers end up leaving their commission on the table and feel out of control. The good…
To increase your closing ratio, a good story can help. It may sound obvious, but customers are often moved by how your products or services have helped others. Testimonials from clients enhance your credibility factor—and you can increase it further by providing a case study that demonstrates your products or services in action. A good case…
I love golf, but what I haven’t always loved is the cooler I used for carrying water and ice when I played. It was clumsy to carry and open. Everything about it was awkward. I know this is a small complaint in the scope of life, but that’s not the point. Small Things that Make a…
Moving might not have anything to do with sales and leadership, but messaging sure does. Whether you’re a leader or a salesperson trying to influence somebody, the first thing you have to do is create a connection that allows prospects or employees to hear what you have to say. Making Communication Count Effective communication addresses…
Everyone dreads calling a customer to say they can’t deliver what they want when they want. Who wants to deliver news like that? No one does, and that’s where the trouble really starts. The worst mistake people make in business is not communicating the bad news. When you avoid the pain of giving someone a heads…
When I wrote the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Great Customer Service, we interviewed people at companies with exemplary customer service. As a part of the process, I spoke with Hertz’s vice president of reservations in Oklahoma City, and he shared a story with me that I have not forgotten. Hertz did a survey of top…
I had the joy of spending this past Father’s Day with my daughter, and at one point she told me about a difficulty one of her friends was experiencing. She wondered if I could help him with a deal he hadn’t been able to close. From the conversation with my daughter, I concluded that he…