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The Selling PodcastAuthor: Mike Williams and Scott Schlofman
Feeling stuck in a sales slump? Pipeline looking thinner than a supermodel on a juice cleanse? Want to grow your business faster than a startup funded by a lottery winner? Then buckle up, buttercup, because "The Selling Podcast" is your new obsession!Join your seasoned (slightly graying but still very spry) sales pros, Mike and Scott, who collectively boast over 50 years of crushing quotas (and racking up enough airline and hotel points to live perpetually in a suite). They're not just here to drop wisdom; they're here to deliver a potent mix of "deep-ish thoughts and some truly mediocre advice" (their words, not ours... mostly) on everything from closing monster deals to navigating the wild ride of life.Every week, prepare for unfiltered stories, battle-tested philosophies, hard-earned insights, and enough random tangents to keep you laughing and learning! They even drag in some special guests (who usually offer the really deep insights, just between us) to elevate the conversation even further.Whether you're a seasoned sales manager, a hungry rep grinding for commission, or just someone who wants to understand the human element of persuasion, Mike and Scott cut through the fluff with their signature blend of sharp sales strategies and hilarious banter.Stop wishing for more sales, start getting them! Hit subscribe, join the conversation, and let Mike and Scott help you sell better, live better, and most of all... enjoy all of it! Language: en-us Genres: Business, Careers, Management Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Hiring and Retention Secrets: What Employees Really "Crave" with Val Reis
Wednesday, 6 May, 2026
In this episode of The Selling Podcast, we dive into the world of leadership development with Val Ries, executive coach and author of Chief Inspiration Officer at Executive Muse. Val breaks down her core frameworks for building thriving, motivated teams, starting with a quiz that holds up a mirror to your own leadership style. We explore the balance between encouragement and high standards, the psychological needs of employees, and how to bounce back from difficult interactions.Key Episode Highlights:1. The Three Hats of LeadershipVal’s assessment categorizes leaders into three main archetypes:The Encouraging Cheerleader (The Cheerleader): Approachable, supportive, and great at boosting morale during tough times.The Intentionally Passive Leader (The Space Giver): Steps back to let employees "swim" (and potentially fail), fostering autonomy and trust.The High Standards Leader (The Challenger): Communicates clear expectations, pushes for excellence, and challenges the team to improve. The Goal: A balance of all three (33% each). Leaders often lean too heavily on one, which can create imbalances in team dynamic and productivity.2. Leading When Your Job Is on the LineVal addresses the immense pressure young or new leaders face to produce numbers. The constant worry about job security often causes leaders to show up as terse, irritable, or micromaging, which stifles the team. The Fix:Refinement and Mindset: Leaders must first "inspire themselves." If you don’t hit goals, what are you making that mean about you ("I’m not good enough")?Self-Reflection: Identify the core emotion you are leading from (fear, worry) and reframe it. A calmer, more confident leader brings out the best in others.3. Getting Out of "The Cave""The Cave" is Val's metaphor for getting stuck in a negative, defensive, or unproductive mental state following a trigger (like a lost sale or harsh criticism). The C.A.V.E. Acronym:Criticism (external/internal)AssumptionsVictim Mindset ("I’m not good enough")Enclosed Patterns (behavioral retreats: shutting down, second-guessing) The Takeaway: It’s not if you get into the cave, but how long you stay. The book provides specific exercises to identify when you are in the cave and how to get out quickly.4. What Employees "Crave" From YouVal explains that employees rarely just want to be "left alone." They crave a psychological foundation to thrive. The C.R.A.V.E. Acronym:Connection & CommunityReliability (a boss they can count on)Appreciation (feeling recognized for their work and value)Value (meaningful work, understanding the "why")Effective Communication (proactive and respectful)
