[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Top performers are <\/span>three times more valuable<\/span> than the average employee.<\/span><\/p>\n Take a moment to think about the stars within your organization. They are the contributors at the top of the leaderboards. <\/span>They\u2019re the people you want to watch, follow, and learn from. What\u2019s the secret to their success? How does everything they touch turn to gold?<\/span> From motivation to preparation, we explore the eight skills of top performers you need to rise up and meet those top performers at their level.<\/span><\/p>\n [et_pb_section global_module=\"112902 \"][\/et_pb_section]<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=” George Leith” job_title=”Chief Customer Officer” company_name=”Vendasta” portrait_url=”\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/07\/George-Leith.webp” quote_icon_color=”#3F9B63″ admin_label=”George Testimonial” module_id=”active-listening” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”gcid-body-color” author_text_color=”gcid-heading-color” position_text_color=”gcid-body-color” company_text_color=”gcid-body-color” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22body_text_color%22,%22position_text_color%22,%22company_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22author_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n Do you ever wonder if you really need that hour-long meeting? You might not if you\u2019re only intently listening for 20 minutes. So it\u2019s important to dial in and make sure that we\u2019re actively listening.<\/span> [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”1. Active Listening” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Top performers seek first to understand their customer’s problems and goals. By actively listening they can better prescribe a solution to solve the problem, helping a customer improve or grow their business. <\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”2. Resilience and Grit” module_id=”resilience-and-grit” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cPersistence wears down resistance. The average salesperson or entrepreneur gives up after two calls with the prospect, and that\u2019s just not enough. You want to make sure you\u2019re working harder. That\u2019s the grind mentality and it comes from a refusal to give up,\u201d Leith says.<\/span><\/p>\n Top performers most often are less attracted to winning, than they are petrified of losing, according to Leith. It\u2019s an employee\u2019s ability to bounce back and continue hammering away that keeps them at the head of the productivity pack. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”3. Empathy 1.1″ module_id=”empathy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Approach every interaction with a client or team member without judgement. The ability to walk in another person\u2019s shoes is a skill many top performers share.\u00a0<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”George Leith” job_title=”Chief Customer Officer” company_name=”Vendasta” portrait_url=”\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/07\/George-Leith.webp” quote_icon_color=”#3F9B63″ admin_label=”George Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”gcid-body-color” author_text_color=”gcid-heading-color” position_text_color=”gcid-body-color” company_text_color=”gcid-body-color” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22body_text_color%22,%22position_text_color%22,%22company_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22author_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n The first thing that comes to mind when things aren\u2019t working out the way we expected is, \u201cwhat the heck is that person\u2019s problem?\u201d or \u201cwhy don\u2019t they get it?\u201d The reason we ask those questions is because we don\u2019t really understand what their challenge is. Everybody is dealing with some sort of a challenge. That smile is a mask. That laugh is actually nervous laughter. It\u2019s hiding some massive challenge they\u2019re dealing with. If you really want to be successful, understand what battle they\u2019re in and have empathy.<\/span> [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”3. Empathy 1.2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Exhibiting empathy can help you anticipate your customer\u2019s needs and build better relationships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”4. Always Prepared” module_id=”always-prepared” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pave your path to success by walking away from a <\/span>wing it <\/span><\/i>mentality and come prepared for every interaction. Do your research in advance, set an agenda and decide on takeaways, whether you\u2019re heading into a sales call, a meeting with a colleague or even a job interview.<\/span> Bringing insights to a client conversation will build trust. Preparation can also help you find the solution that best fits a client\u2019s needs. Personalizing a proposal and preparing for potential objections in advance, for example, will help in the negotiation process later on.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”5. Self-Motivated and Competitive” module_id=”motivated-and-competitive” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Being self motivated is about k<\/span>nowing yourself and accepting your strengths and weaknesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are days when I just want to stay in bed, and that is perfectly normal. It took me a long time to be vulnerable and share that with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTop performers are constantly working to win every day. They don\u2019t have to be pushed, they expect failure and they learn from it. They expect to not always knock it out of the park and to grind hard,\u201d Leith says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the challenges and failures they face, top performers always use that competitive edge to pick themselves up and move forward.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”6. Strive to Establish Trust” module_id=”establish-trust” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Establishing and keeping trust is fundamental in any business relationship. Making regular deposits into a trust matrix removes a prospect\u2019s fear of making the wrong decision, according to Leith. <\/span> \u201cPut fear on one side of a scale, and trust on the other. We should constantly be making deposits onto the trust side of the scale. Eventually, fear diminishes,\u201d Leith says<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”7. Ask the Right Questions ” module_id=”#ask-questions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Seeking to understand is an important skill that top performers should develop. By approaching each prospect with the mindset of <\/span>being a student<\/span><\/i>, you can better understand the needs of the person with whom you interact.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=” George Leith” job_title=”Chief Customer Officer” company_name=”Vendasta” portrait_url=”\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/07\/George-Leith.webp” quote_icon_color=”#3F9B63″ admin_label=”George Testimonial” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”gcid-body-color” author_text_color=”gcid-heading-color” position_text_color=”gcid-body-color” company_text_color=”gcid-body-color” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-body-color%22:%91%22body_text_color%22,%22position_text_color%22,%22company_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-heading-color%22:%91%22author_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n I was on a sales call recently, and I was with a younger sales development representative (SDR). We were doing some needs analysis. At the end of the call, the SDR said, \u201cYou didn\u2019t present anything.\u201d I responded by saying, \u201cYes, but we gained an hour worth of learning.\u201d We knew exactly where we needed to go with the next presentation. Taking that time to understand the prospect also prepared the client to make a further investment.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text admin_label=”8. Considered the Authority” module_id=”considered-authority” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Position yourself as an authority in your field. Become a light B2B buyers and colleagues can turn to. <\/span>
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<\/span>Try using the three A\u2019s of active listening in your next conversation:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Skills of Top Performers | #2 <\/span>Resilience and Grit<\/span><\/h2>\n
Skills of Top Performers | #3 <\/span>Empathy<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span><\/p>\nSkills of Top Performers | #4 Always Prepared<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nSkills of Top Performers | #<\/span>5 Self-Motivated and Competitive<\/span><\/h2>\n
Skills of Top Performers | #<\/span>6 Strive to Establish Trust<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Getting the trust of a client, prospect, family member, team member, brother, sister, aunt, dog, cat, doesn\u2019t matter, is one of the hardest things that you can ever do. It comes from keeping your promises, returning calls, and even being early to a meeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/span>Your client or colleague will realize that you have proven to them, time and time again, that you\u2019re going to keep your promises. You always come through for them. Once you\u2019ve gained that trust, protect it with everything you\u2019ve got. Trust is extremely hard to earn back once you\u2019ve lost it, according to Leith.<\/span><\/p>\nSkills of Top Performers | #<\/span>7 Ask the Right Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n
Skills of Top Performers | #<\/span>8 Considered the Authority<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/span>\u201c<\/span>We want to work to become a trusted expert. That\u2019s in sales, but it also is in leadership. Are you the person that has the right answer or can get the right answer time and time again?\u201d Leith asks. <\/span>
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<\/span>Work on building an online presence through:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n