Does being an introvert/extrovert matter in sales?

A lot of folks seem to be of the opinion that generally sales people are extroverted, can easily strike and hold conversations and are very social.


I somehow seem to be everything opposite of that. I'm an introvert, I'm mostly socially awkward, can hold conversations though for the most part. But on sales calls, it all works out.


Are you and introvert or extrovert?

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5
Accidental_Sales_Guy
Politicker
2
Account Executive
One's not better than the other- each comes with their own strengths/weaknesses 
LordBusiness
Politicker
2
Chief Revenue Officer
I think both can be successful, but from my experience a higher percentage of top 1% performers are introverts.  They are generally better because they don’t rely on natural “people skills” to generate success, they are generally more profess oriented, detailed and systematic in their approach to sales.   The common association of someone who is extroverted being “good at sales” is one of my top 5 annoyances
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
I definitely have attributes of both. I think people see me as confident and outgoing, which I am, but I do hide the introvert in me.
Savagedoge
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
That's a lot of introverted folks like us. We're putting on a performance, lol
slaydie
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
I think both can be quite successful! Myself personally, I'm an introvert but I present as an extrovert. I can hold conversations and am outgoing however it all really drains me. Surprisingly, I'm not the only introverted person on my sales team however, we are the minority. Last year we all did the 16 personalities quiz to find out more about ourselves and each other. If you are looking for a fun thing to do at a team meeting, I highly recommend!
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
You described me right there too. A lot of us who are introverted are constantly keeping that side hidden and try to present ourselves as an extrovert. It sure drains me too. After a few calls in a day, I feel like I'm putting on a performance (almost).

I'm gonna have the team and I check out the personalities quiz for sure! Appreciate it!
slaydie
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
that's the best way to describe it ' putting on a performance'. That is exactly how I feel, like I am acting in a show haha
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
One's not better than the other- each comes with their own strengths/weaknesses
CadenceCombat
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
I feel like I’m a mix of both and I think people generally view me as more of an extrovert than I feel I really am.
Savagedoge
Tycoon
0
Account Executive
Do you think you were probably introverted before you started presenting yourself as an extrovert and now you're a mix? 
Trinity
WR Officer
0
BusDev
Absolutely not. I know a lot of introverts that are great in sales
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
If you want prospecting guys I think go for extroverts. People who are comfortable being out there.
SADNESScounselor
Good Citizen
0
VP National Accounts
Great question.  I’m definitely an introvert, as are the other top producers at my company.  The extroverts get the attention for actions they take, but the introverts get noticed for the results.  It’s not a perfect science, but I’m fairly confident that it’s about 75/25 introvert over extrovert for successful sales people here.  
BillyHoyle
Tycoon
0
Senior Account Executive
Depends on the situation I suppose.
ThatNewAE
Big Shot
0
Account Executive - Mid enterprise
There's no fixed formula. I am an introvert who's in sales. I enjoy it. I might even be doing decent. I am in a team that has extroverts too - they too are enjoying it. They too are doing decent. So, tough to narrow down.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
I would do the same, but I would even go as far as telling the person to reach out to the hiring company (competitor) for onboarding.
Error32
Politicker
0
ISR
"Hey, happy to connect with you on LinkedIn or whatever, but I don't feel comfortable sharing company information with a competitor, especially one that has a substantially higher market share. Good luck out there!"
16
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