Is it normal for sales teams to be constantly at odds with each other?

Like the title says. I'm noticing the different sales team at my company (commercial, enterprise, strategic partners, etc ) leaders all tend to always passively arguing with each other over Roe, accounts and processes. I don't mean just clarifying issues, but subtle jabs at each other, passive aggressiveness, snarkiness and just generally not being a team.


Obviously we're all in sales, but each team is really at each other's throats in a not so subtle way. We've had meetings about this before, but it always feel so passive and indirect, which is ironic since we're in sales and we're meant to be direct and to the point.


Has anyone else experienced this before and how did you navigate it? Me? I keep my head down, work and mind my own business, but it's hard not to notice when you're pretty deeply involved in the full sales cycle. Any advice?

🧢 Sales Management
✌️ Growing Pains
😤 Conflict Resolution
14
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
☕️
Keep that head down, follow the ROE you have been prescribed, and let the overgrown children fight it out.
funcoupons
WR Officer
5
👑
I'd say this type of petty and immature drama happens more often than not in any organization, not just sales teams...a lot of people are just petty and immature and bring that behaviour to the workplace.

If it's not affecting your money, pay it no mind. 
MCP
Valued Contributor
2
Sales Director
U ever seen the seagulls from Nemo? It’s like that.
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Sign of a shitty culture.

Healthy competition sure - but this reads toxic. 
youngsmoky
Celebrated Contributor
3
Senior Account Executive
Same. Our team is very about helping each other out, communicating best practices that have helped net us accounts, joking around with each other, etc.

There are a couple of people who have issues with each other, but when they come to me and say like "that person sucks because X, Y, and Z" I just say "Sorry, that sounds rough" and move on. I don't want a shitty environment so I don't contribute to one.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Not your battle.   It's material only when it affects your job or your ability to perform your job.  Other than that, eventually, someone higher up is going to get exasperated and the situation will be resolved.  You do not want to be caught up in that.  Sounds like that's what you're doing, so continue to stay focused on your work.
LordBusiness
Politicker
1
Chief Revenue Officer
It’s pretty common. EGO is an unfortunate weight that most sellers carry around with them, and most leaders aren’t strong enough to have tough conversations. The culture of a company is as good as the worst behavior that is tolerated.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Be the king/queen of minding your own business 😎
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
I'd say this type of petty and immature drama happens more often than not in any organization, not just sales teams...a lot of people are just petty and immature and bring that behaviour to the workplace.
Upper_Class_SaaS
Politicker
0
Account Executive
A lot of sales ppl are self consumed and selfish. Stay focused and out of the politics 
TennisandSales
Politicker
0
Head Of Sales
I agree with @poweredbycaffeine gotta keep your head down. Are you in any sort of leadership role where you even have a say in whats going on?

Ive tried to get involved in the past and it just distracted me from my job, and made me even more frustrated than I already was. 

Its probably easier said than done, but just do your job and get results. you will be better for it in the long run. 
NotCreativeEnough
Big Shot
0
Professional Day Ruiner
Nope. Nothing wrong with healthy competition to encourage success, but there should never be actual fighting/arguing
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
0
Account Executive
There is no way around it, that sucks. Things like account structure, processes, etc. should be handled by some type of Sales Ops team and shouldn't even be a place for arguments. Control whatever is within your control, and forget the rest.
MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Yep, good reminder. We live in interesting times, that's for sure.
9

Why do dipshit sales reps that hit numbers keep going into management?

Question
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9

What is the most difficult part of coaching your team to get better at sales? 😅

Question
9
Choose what you find most difficult while coaching a sales team
55 people voted
10

Disconnect between leadership and sales reps

Discussion
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