The Neccessary Need for Confidence

I'm sitting inside a Barnes and Nobles right now, as I do incredibly often. Today however is a unique day at Barnes and Nobles, as I have 2 incredibly interesting groups near me, one in front of me, and one behind me.

These groups are unique as both are being pitched different services. Group A, is being pitched web design and hosting services, where Group B seems to be a group of real estate agents meeting with a salesman from a print company.

Ok, call me nosy if you want, but while sitting here quietly on my laptop, I can't help but overhear their conversation. Needless to say, these have been 2 very interesting conversations.

Alfred is apparently the salesman to Group A (so maybe I was listening closely at times). Alfred started off very confident, telling his prospects immediately what he has to offer, and doing everything within his power to make sure they know, without a doubt what he has to offer. He's brought with him today sales sheets for every possible option for his group, and he wants them to buy everything! Or at least that's how he started off.

After Group A asked Alfred the very first question , his entire presentation fell apart. It looks to me like one of two things; 1) Alfred didn't plan for questions or 2) Alfred has a lack of confidence in his services, and that was just shown in a very big way.

Alfred immediately lost all his rehearsed presentation skills, and was now no longer organized. He no longer knew what he was talking about previously, he apparently forgot everything he knew about his services, and his fake attempt at sales is now present. (If you think I'm being harsh, keep reading.)

Tom I would suppose is Group B's printing salesman. Tom made a very big mistake right out of the gate. He say about 15 feet away from his prospects talking to his "buddy" about what a good time he and the rest of his friends had drinking last night. Tom was 10 minutes late to his meeting, because he failed to realize that they were 15 feet away, hearing all sorts of things that I'm willing to bet Tom did not intend on them hearing. Tom was off to a slow start.

Finally Tom realizes that Group B is just feet away afterall, quickly ends his conversation, and begins to give them the pitch that it appeared he's given maybe, well, let's just say that I hope this pitch was the first pitch he's ever given.

Tom was incredibly confident in himself, but had ZERO confidence in his product. In fact, Tom even told his prospects that, "We'll probably run into several problems along the way, so here's my cell phone number so I can get them taken care of, and hopefully get them taken care of in time for you!"

Wow, Tom.

Needless to say, I was not impressed with either sales pitch, and both Group A and Group B appeared to feel the same way.

Both salesmen lacked confidence in what they were selling. Alfred put up a very great fake front that quickly fell apart as soon as a question came up, and Tom appeared to only be confident that tonight will likely be spent drinking with the buddies, like last night.

Confidence is one of those things that I believe you can't fake. It's going to come out sooner or later, at some very inopportune time. Many animals are said to be able to feel and smell fear, many leaders are trained to be able to listen to and spot a fake.

Are you confident in every avenue of your life? Even though you may be uncomfortable with the goals you're setting or what you're trying to accomplish, you can still be confident.

Don't want to end up like Alfred and Tom? I highly suggest you read "Confidence - How Winning Streaks and Losing Streaks Begin and End" by Rosabeth Moss Kanter.