$hit I learned from Russell Simmons.

200+ high powered sales executives, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue sit on the edge of their seats, unsure about how the activist, producer, and entrepreneur can translate launching Run DMC, Beastie Boys and Jay-Z into our sales orientated lives. With a net worth of just under $500M, he is sure to rock the house and inspire our inner entrepreneurs so we can go forth and crush our sales goals. Wrong.

On comes Russell Simmons to the LinkedIn Executive Sales Forum stage.

As Russell emerges from behind the darkness of backstage, he clearly is wondering why he is here, saying “I don’t know how I got here witchu, I’m supposed to be on site for a film shoot.” The audience laughs, some nervous laughs, but not me, I think it’s awesome. We think we’re all so important, influencing the new economy with our collective wisdom, and the keynoter can’t remember why he’s talking to us. Now I’m really listening intently because this anti-establishment icon is about to drop some real knowledge through thoughtful storytelling, and he doesn’t disappoint.

Interviewer Justin Schriber, LinkedIn’s VP of Marketing, or maybe referee, or just maybe we can call him ‘good listener’, attempts to guide Russell towards a pre-planned agenda: “Tell me about, what are your thoughts on…” to which Russell says pointedly, “I don’t want to talk about that”. So where do we go from here? This is now where I start taking notes, because something notable is about to happen, and I can feel the cloud of uncertainty creeping across the crowd.

We enter into a different reality … all minds blown.

Russell thinks that we are all tightwads, focused on the wrong things in work and in life, and have little to no focus on what’s important as humans in society, with each other, and within ourselves. I think Justin realizes that ‘Russell is gonna be Russell’ and allows him the benefit of speaking to each of us about essential human characteristics, why we are on the planet, and inspires us to look within. We collectively enter a different reality, guided by our spiritual guru Russell who is deeply focused on what makes us human.

During his 30 minutes of guided spiritual teaching, I take copious notes. He has so many one-liners that it was hard to keep up. He inspired me to write this post to share some of his wisdom, so that you can share, like or comment on “not just another blog post”, just like his speech, was “not just another keynote”.

Since I’m a sales person, I attempted to translate the spiritual 
lesson into a sales lesson (sorry had to do it!).

“You have to operate from a comfortable seat”

“Comfort and happiness are the one thing that every single human wants”, according to Russell. Comfort and inner happiness is the core of the human condition. Sales people do better when they understand their role and their sales persona. If you are comfortable with the value prop and who you are as a sales person, you have inner peace and have become a master of your trade, much like a yogi master that can find inner peace and connectivity with the planet.

“Needing nothing attracts everything”

Russell wanted us to think about acting selfless. In his opinion the more selfless we are the more that things we want will be attracted to us. This is clearly true for sales people. The more we ask for the meeting, or the sale, the less chance we have of getting it. It’s the old “take away” tactic: I really don’t want anything from you, but I’m here when and if you need me.

“Effort becomes greater when you are more present”

Being present in your life gives you spiritual awareness and you can essentially operate at a different level than anyone else. Those sales people that don’t focus, can’t slow down and play the thinking game will be more robotic, and actually complete less in their daily routine to those who are more aware, focused, and present in their daily activities. 

“Good givers are great getters”

Those that are focused on giving to others, sharing and participating the growth outside of oneself, will get more in return. Sales people can make sales an individual sport, focused on their output, and their number. Those that help, coach, train, and share the best practice will get more, learn more and achieve more.

“Neediness is the cause of all suffering”

When you need things, and want things, and can’t get them, you will suffer spiritually. The constant yearning for more is a trap and causes great angst for us and those around us. Sales people who need the appointment, need to opportunity, need to close the deal will always suffer and will come across to the customer as desperate.

“If you don’t cultivate imagination you are wasting away”

Imagination opens up new cells and pathways within our brains. The less art or creativity we use, they less brain we use, and therefore, we waste our spirituality. Sales people that operate like robots, and have no creative ways to do their job are less likely to overcome objections or find ways to connect with decision makers, and therefore their pipeline slowly wastes away.

“Innovation in life is part of our evolution”

The human trait is based on innovation. We are humans and evolving towards new ideas and concepts and must embrace new ways to invent and experiment in our daily lives. As sales people, we must always strive to innovate ahead of the curve, because without new ideas or experimentation we are not evolving and become a dying breed.

“Find the same beauty in a dead corpse as you can in the sunset”

When at peace with yourself, you can find the same beauty in death as you can in rejoicing life. Sales people must find the positives in losing a deal, and treat this as the same inspiring attribute as closing a deal, failure must be embraced the same as success.

The entire experience ended with 5-8 minutes of meditation. Imagine that. 200+ Sales executives meditating together. Once in a lifetime experience folks, had to share!