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UserNotFound

Account Executive

Politicker
Notorious Answer
Valued Contributor
+8

Best way to deal with Imposter Syndrome

I go through bouts of Imposter Syndrome. I'm in a new-to-me industry and I don't think my bosses understood how little I knew about this particular sector of tech before recruiting me. I'm a damn killer at sales psychology, getting the meetings, and forecasting a prospects moves/preempting them. But I still need so. much. help. with the actual product itself.


There aren't a ton of resources out there to educate me either, but I am leaning on my network of friends in the biz to school me up.


What ways have you found to deal with IS?

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Chep
WR Officer
2
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Read some medium post about a dude who got over Imposter Syndrome by talking as little as possible when he first started so he could absorb information. People would talk about topics he did not understand at all, but because he listened so intently that when it came time to talk he was able to bs his way through until he finally got a good grip on what he was doing. 
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
That's great advice! I, embarrassingly, will sit outside of my bosses offices while they have virtual meetings to overhear the conversation. I'm learning quite a bit by osmosis, but it's still a hard road!
paddy
WR Officer
2
Director of Business Development
Talk less, ask more, be genuinely curious. Stick to the basics of why is X having Y problem and seek further resources on connecting the dots.
Salespreuner
Big Shot
0
Regional Sales Director
Aggressive and right approach such as this, pays off.
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
1
AM
 That's a tough one. I think educating yourself as rapidly as possible and continuing to remind yourself that you are the best is all you can do. You've got this!
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
What about seeking friendship and advice with other AEs at your company? 
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
We're a SMALL company, I'm the 1st and only AE (for now). It's a great company, I'm just struggling with the legacy technology in field and how that transitions to today's (which I have a better understanding of)
PepeSilvia
Good Citizen
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Are there other people responsible for support, implementation, customer support, etc? If so, befriend all of them! Ask what are their big 3 things they deal with on the back end with new customers, and work from there to figure out how to avoid them.
CoastLife
Good Citizen
1
Large Enterprise Sales
Everyone deals with imposter syndrome at some point - so don't worry too much about it. 
Your company, I'm sure, had a lot of great reasons to hire you. IMO, I'd rather hire someone who understands sales, is good with customers and teach them about the product once hired. 
It sounds like you are doing the right things. Reach out to your network. Talk to the product team at your company. Talk to marketing. 
You've got this.
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Thank you! I have to remind myself that I have a team for a reason, but I come from being *the* girl. I knew it all, I was the go-to, record breaker sales rep, etc. Now I'm asking questions like "So, Google gives a few definitions of that acronym can you tell me which one we are using in this instance? Thanks." 
CoastLife
Good Citizen
0
Large Enterprise Sales
Yes...selling is a team sport! We win and pose together so lean on your internal resources. 
cw95
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
The way you explained 'sales psychology' reached out. Love it. 

As others have said, no example is similar to a sense. Watching videos and Googling may help the most. Awful advice I know but I also have the same as you!
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
What about seeking friendship and advice with other AEs at your company? 
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
That's a tough one. I think educating yourself as rapidly as possible and continuing to remind yourself that you are the best is all you can do. You've got this!
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Talk less, ask more, be genuinely curious. Stick to the basics of why is X having Y problem and seek further resources on connecting the dots.

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