13. A Better Way to Sell Yourself

In this episode, I offer a more purposeful, sustainable, and effective way of selling yourself—regardless of your circumstances.

The trap we often fall into is that we make it our goal to close the deal. That’s how we measure success, and that’s how we orient ourselves. It sounds like the right thing to do, but it comes with huge risks.

The trick, however, is to make it your goal to be of service.

This orientation is something I learned when I started running my own business, and a need that emerges regularly in my clients. It’s a simple shift that can allow you to navigate sales more easily and also have a bigger impact.

Key Episode Takeaways:

1. Selling Yourself with Purpose: Selling yourself is essential for pursuing your ambitions, whether in job interviews, client pitches, or starting a business. However, it often feels uncomfortable or draining.

2. The Trap of Closing the Deal: Focusing solely on closing the deal can be counterproductive. It can lead to missing your customer’s real needs, feeling personal pressure, and creating a win-lose situation.

3. Grounding in Service: The key to effective selling is to focus on being of service rather than closing the deal. This approach is empowering, allowing you to fully control what you can control.

4. An Actor’s Approach: Bryan Cranston's advice to actors on this topic applies universally. Instead of trying to get the job, focus on presenting the work you do and walking away powerfully.

5. Incorporating Service into Your Sales: Define who you serve and how, focusing on the impact you have. Consider how being of service can change your mindset as well as your actions during sales interactions.

6. The Bigger Picture: Selling should be part of a continuous effort to be of service, not just in specific moments. Building your connection to being of service will help you sell more effectively, and help you make a bigger impact.

If you got any new insights from this episode—or if it’s helped you clarify next steps you can take—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment or send me a note!

And if you believe this episode can help someone in your life, I encourage you to share it with them.

- Elliot