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Managing Sales Reps' Defensiveness

Guest post by: John Brennan

Article Overview: Defensiveness is a natural and normal response by sales reps to a sales manager's feedback and appraisal. It is important to understand that defensiveness is emotional, not rational. When responding to defensiveness, show empathy for your rep's underlying feelings rather than challenging their perceptions.

Managing Sales Reps' Defensiveness

Defensiveness takes many forms, though all defensive responses are rooted in the biological "fight or flight" reaction. Here are some examples of defensive statements you might hear when confronting your sales rep;
Blaming you
"You didn't tell me I was supposed to."
"I asked you to help but you didn't"
Blaming others
"Product was bad/late/wrong"
"People in XYZ department were bad/late/wrong"
Poor Me
"I've been sick, on holiday, got married, got divorced, housing problems, car problems, money problems"
"I've worked more hours than anyone else: it's not fair"
Denial
"Those figures do not include my best months"
"The methodology of the assessment is flawed"
Minimizing
"You're making a mountain out of a molehill"
"Lighten up! Everything's fine, really."
Manipulation/lying
"I was only trying to help. You told me I am supposed to look for ways to help "
"Everyone does it. I thought you knew".
You can minimize the damage defensiveness causes and engage your employee in a rational discussion by employing the following techniques. First, listen with empathy.
"I understand how that feels".
"I understand how you might have thought that/done that".
Relate a similar experience of your own. Relate to the feelings, not the facts
"I once let down a very good friend who needed me in a time of personal crisis. I felt guilty and afraid that he would not forgive me"
Then repeat your feedback without accepting explanations as excuses.
"I understand how you feel and how you got there. At the same time, it is important that I make it very clear that your performance in this area is not acceptable."
"Perhaps you are right that I am a terrible manager. And we can have that discussion - tomorrow. Today the subject is your performance".
Repeat the sequence: Feedback - Listen - Feedback - Listen, until the defensiveness is reduced and your rep can once again engage in a rational discussion.

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Article Tags: defensiveness, empathy, managing sales, perceptions, sales reps



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