---

Guest post by: Jeb Blount Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

Consider Colin, a sales manager in Burbank, California. One morning before work he had a heated argument with his wife. All the way into the office he stewed over the fight. Still upset when he got to the office Colin walked through the sales bullpen with an angry look on his face, and without saying a word to anyone, marched straight into the office and slammed his door. Once inside his office he took a moment to calm down and collect himself before starting his day.

Now this seems like a perfectly natural thing for a man who has had bad argument with his wife to do. It is understandable that his emotions might be hard to control. Everyone has bad days right? Well, no . . . not leaders? Why? After Colin slammed the door of his office . . .

- Mary, a rep who was behind quota for the month, thought to herself, Colin must be pissed at me for losing that sale yesterday. I’m probably getting fired. Then she stopped working while she worried what she was going to do about getting another job.

- John thought, I guess Colin just got fired. Here we go again, another sales manager. He then told Phil that he thought Colin was getting fired, and they spent the next half hour speculating rather than making sales calls.

- Janice, who was scheduled to ride with Colin that day became worried about Colin’s mood. She was already nervous about spending the day with the boss, and now she was considering just saying that she was sick and going home.

- Derek thought, How rude. I said good morning and Colin didn’t even acknowledge me. That’s the last time I do that!

Just like that, one after the other, Colin’s salespeople interpreted his actions based on their own particular circumstance. This in turn impacted that day’s sales performance and the team’s respect and loyalty to Colin.

As a leader you are always on stage. Everything you say or don’t say, do or don’t do, your facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language can and will have an impact on your people (and potentially your entire organization). Your words and actions have meaning, and the higher your level on the org chart the more a misspoken word, display of raw emotion, or slip of the tongue can hurt you and your people.

Related Articles

  Divorce Expectations
  The Poorest Man is the Man who does not have a Dream.
  Company Incorporation in Hong Kong and China
  CEO Speak Out
  Attracting Holding Good Trade Show Traffic
  Blogging
  Ten Characteristics of Leadership
  Company Registration in Hong Kong
  Company Incorporation in Asia
  BVI Company Incorporation
  Hong Kong Company Incorporation/Registration
  Offshore Bank Account in Hong Kong
  CYCLE OF CHANGE - MOTIVATION
  The Four Stages of Becoming a Team Player
  The Five Things Leaders Do On a Daily Basis to Be On Top!
  Where is Your Customer in the Buying Cycle?
  Nobody Trains to be a Follower
  Six Characteristics of Leaders
  “Twelve Essential Characteristics of MVP (Most Valuable Performing) Leaders”
  Do you have a good Mentor for your Business?

Related Forum Posts

Re: March 21 Triple Crown Update
Re: Forums Question
Re: Forums Question
Re: Forums Question
Re: Forums Question

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The State of the Sustainable Furniture Industry

What Is Counselling, What Is Psychotherapy?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.