What Sales Leaders Can Learn From Nature's Extraordinary Creatures - North America Part 4

From the remarkable albino squirrel to the tenacious bighorn sheep, and the grounded bison to the graceful elks, the animal kingdom offers us valuable lessons that can be applied to the world of sales. In this article, we delve into the symbolic significance of these animals and explore how their attributes align with essential qualities for success in sales.

Here are the results from my recent poll:?

Albino Squirrel, Uniqueness, Resilience 35%

Bighorn Sheep, Tenacity/Resourcefulness 30%

Bison, Groundedness, Endurance 22%

Elk, Independence, Gracefulness 13%

Let’s dive in!?

Albino Squirrel - Uniqueness, Resilience 35%

Albino squirrel was the number one answer on the poll at 35%, symbolizing uniqueness and resilience. To survive as an all-white animal, you MUST be resilient, adapting to not having camouflage.?

Resilience in sales is one of the most important attributes you can have and build. You get faced with a ton of rejection and endure the ups and downs.? End of quarters can be stressful since most of them are back-end loaded.?

Like this albino squirrel I saw, in sales, you want to stand out. What are you doing to stay competitive? How are you trying to rise above the noise? I was pleased to see so many choose this animal!?

Interestingly, throughout Native American cultures, people protect white or albino creatures. It is taboo to hunt or kill such a creature. In other cultures, they are considered lucky, or signifying wealth, and success, as well as strength and resilience.?

Bighorn Sheep Tenacity, Resourcefulness, 30%

Bighorn sheep are known for their remarkable climbing abilities and their ability to navigate steep and treacherous terrain. They have adapted to thrive in mountainous environments, utilizing their strong instincts and resourcefulness.

In sales, you have to be resourceful, adapting to new solutions and creative ways of using data. One way to help with data analysis would be to leverage an AI solution to provide robust analysis very quickly.??

Tenacity encourages salespeople to think outside the box and find creative solutions to meet customer needs. It pushes them to explore alternative approaches, adapt their strategies, and overcome obstacles by finding new and innovative ways to position their products or services.?

Sales professionals who exhibit tenacity are more likely to reach their targets and exceed expectations. Their relentless pursuit of opportunities, combined with their resilience and persistence, increases their chances of closing deals and achieving success.?

In Native American cultures, the Bighorn sheep represents spirituality, wisdom, and the journey of personal growth and transformation. I love this because as leaders, we should constantly be striving for personal growth to become better leaders for others.?

Bison - Groundedness, Endurance 22%

Bison are known for their solid and grounded presence, making the earth shake when hundreds go by. They endure extreme weather conditions and adapt to challenging conditions.?

This is so relevant to salespeople. If you aren’t grounded, you can be left feeling lost and not able to keep up with all the gyrations you have in a sales role. “Am I gonna find another opportunity? Am I going to make it across the line to hit quota? Are these deals going to close?”?

Sometimes, surprises happen. The person you were dealing with left the company. The budget changes. A new leader comes in and changes their mind. Anything can happen. (What’s the strangest reason a sale fell through? Let me know in the comments!)

Bison also holds spiritual significance for many Native American tribes. They represent sacredness, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The interconnectedness of all living beings reminds me of diversity, and how important it is to recognize we are all human and stronger together, not when others are left behind.?

Elks- Independence, Gracefulness 13%

Elks are graceful creatures, known for their majestic movements. In sales, you have the option of acting with grace when handling rejections, conflict resolution, and building relationships.??

These animals are solitary, often roaming alone or in small groups. Having independence like an elk is crucial in sales - it allows sales professionals to have autonomy, make decisions, and take ownership of their work.?

Independence empowers salespeople to build their own strategies, adapt to unique situations, and think creatively to achieve their goals. Sales professionals who are independent are self-motivated, confident, and capable of taking initiative. They are not afraid to take risks and explore new approaches.?

In Native American cultures, elk are often associated with attributes like wisdom, intuition, and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. I love this because in sales, you really have to utilize your intuition, learning to read your prospect. You can’t just go into your pitch, you must be sensitive to the customer, their body language, and facial expressions.??

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The natural world offers us a wealth of wisdom and inspiration, and the unique characteristics of the albino squirrel, bighorn sheep, bison, and elks have provided valuable insights for sales professionals.

Which animal are you most like?