Sellerguy

Sellerguy

Acclaimed Answer

First post and a serious one, just not sure where/who else to turn to

Long story short, I had an initial disco/pitch last week and between then and our sync-up yesterday...the poor guy must have suffered a stroke. He even apologized for not getting around to reviewing the resources and such due to a 'medical emergency'.

I'm shook. Never faced anything like this in my nearly 10 years of selling and I just feel terrible for the guy.

Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? Any tips/guidance on how to cope?

I keep thinking about him hiding his face while he talked, and how he has to likely live with a half-dropping face and speech impediment for the rest of his life. It just keeps hitting me in waves where I'm extremely sad for him and I don't know what to do. I told my wife and she sympathized but just can't really relate, understandably.

thanks for reading and in advance for any support you can offer. Was hoping my first post here would be more positive but such is life.

15

19 comments

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funcoupons

WR Officer

18

👑

Sadly, these things happen in life. It's sad, but really not worth getting worked up over. Be happy for him that he received medical attention and didn't die, and know that sometimes the drooping face/speech impediments are temporary and will fade with time.

There's not much you can do, especially as a business contact and not his friend/family member. Just treat him with kindness and respect the same way you would anyone else.

chubbspeterson

Politicker

7

Business Development

Agreed, nothing that you can really do, and the fact that he's back to work has to be a good sign. I'm sure treating him as if nothing ever happened will make him feel a lot better as well.

Sellerguy

Opinionated

3

Sellerguy

Thank you both for weighing in. Exactly what I needed and what I’m doing (treating him as I do anyone else). Much appreciated

jefe

Arsonist

7

🍁

@funcoupons nailed it, as usual.

Just be compassionate.

funcoupons

WR Officer

3

👑

<3

CuriousFox

WR Officer

7

🦊

You're going to run into this a lot and it's ok! Many people have disabilities. If this person is back at work then you keep trucking on like normal. Maybe be a little more patient. ❤

Sellerguy

Opinionated

1

Sellerguy

Appreciate it and good call on being a bit more patient moving forward with him!

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

My Mom is a stroke victim. Patience is the kindest thing you can give.

Sellerguy

Opinionated

1

Sellerguy

I hope you and your family are doing well. Thanks you again and I will be more patient than I have ever been

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

6

VP of Sales

In my first ever management gig, I was on the phone with one of my SDRs who was WFH. We were debriefing a demo when she literally had a seizure. Before that I’d never seen an actual seizure before so I was piecing together what I knew about them from science class and movies… anyway, fortunately was able to get on with 911 and get her medical attention in time. . A different ailment but I know the horror. You never really know how to respond. Be kind and understanding. That’s all you can do. Life before business even though we often lose sight of it.

SiliconBBQ

Politicker

2

The Metal Rooster

sometimes this thing we call life is a real sunnuva bitch. common sense, courtesy and respect go a long way with human beings. it transcends career.

be grateful for what you have every fucking moment. it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye

sahil

Notable Contributor

2

Deepak Chopra of Sales

Everyone is carrying baggage and dealing with shit. @funcoupons nailed this: the last thing this person wants is to be seen as a disabled person.

Treat them with respect and professionalism, I'm sure he'll appreciate it.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

1

sales

That's crazy. Nothing you could have done to change how fate was moving forward that day. Shake it off, talking to others about it is good therapy and keep your head up.

FromaBlankPerspective

Politicker

1

District Manager

Respect and patience for sure. Also, try and anticipate how any part of your process/conversations might be difficult. Example: if he is struggling with speech, really consider whether your meeting can be an email, etc.

cw95

Politicker

1

Sales Development Lead

I guess, as others have said, and I have also experienced this scenario...that person is just another human. No relation to you, nothing to do with you, just someone else in the pipeline. You can of course be sympathetic but if you start getting personal with them it makes it worse.

One of my colleagues actually cold called a guy and turns out he died. I said the same thing, be sympathetic on that call but if you didn't know that and had made that call then you wouldn't be thinking anything otherwise. Also, the person on the other end that has had the stroke probably wouldn't want you to treat them any differently!

i edited this as I do realise it sounds harsh - you don't know what you would do until you are in that EXACT situation, but just be the person you are and treat them as they'd like to be.

TheRealPezDog

Notable Contributor

1

Account Manager

Just be sensitive and understanding, ask him how you can help, offer to redo the presentation, take good notes, refresh his memory each time you meet about what you met about last time. It sucks ass but it happens, at least he survived it.

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