Let me share an interesting story from a recent meeting I had. It started off smooth, like a well-oiled machine discovery stages were on point, rapport was building, and everything was going as planned. Then, my colleague, without missing a beat, casually mentioned she was a Seventh-Day Adventist. That’s when the mood shifted.
I looked at the client, and there it was: a frown. Not the kind you give someone when they’ve accidentally stepped on your new shoes, but the kind that says, “We’re about to hit a roadblock.” Immediately, I felt the temperature of the room drop faster than an ice cube in a freezer.
Quick thinking kicked in. I noticed a rosary on his desk, and I said, “By the way, I’m Roman Catholic,” trying to break the awkward silence. Suddenly, the frown disappeared. The tension melted away, and the conversation started flowing again. The man smiled, leaned in, and began focusing on me instead of my colleague.
Here’s the point: in sales, sometimes, religion and politics can be like stepping on a landmine one wrong move and BOOM, there goes the deal! Now, I know that in some parts of the world, people have the maturity to separate beliefs from business, but let’s be honest Africa isn’t quite there yet. Here, we’re still trying to figure out if we should even shake hands before diving into a business discussion!
Let’s break it down:
- If you say you’re Catholic, suddenly you’re a “drunkard” in their eyes. They’ll start thinking you spend all your time at the pub praying to the Holy Spirit rather than closing deals.
- If you say you’re an Adventist, they’ll think you’re so “holy” that you might just start preaching to the boardroom, calling down fire and brimstone on the competition.
- If you say you’re a Mupostori (a member of the Apostolic Faith), then all your products and services are suddenly “full of muteuro”.
But here’s the thing: if you go to those new ministries, the ones that are popping up all over, you can bet they’ll see you as just another person trying to take their money. All of a sudden, you’ll be “that salesperson” the one who came in looking for salvation, but ended up just looking for a way to fill their wallet. It’s like showing up at a new church where they’ve got an offering basket ready before you even finish introducing yourself. They’re thinking, “Here comes another one trying to sell me something wrapped in a holy blanket.”
Now, let me be clear, I’m not saying religion is bad no, no! What I’m saying is that as a salesperson, you’ve got to adapt, flow, and stay flexible when it comes to matters of faith and politics. In the sales world, you’re like a chameleon you’ve got to blend in, be neutral, and keep your personal beliefs out of the spotlight.
What’s my strategy? Simple. I’m an equal-opportunity churchgoer. I attend every single church, from Catholic Mass to Adventist Sabbath, and I’m open to hearing about the latest political party that’s “the best thing since sliced bread.” I don’t mind whether you worship in a big cathedral, a tent, or even a tree if it helps me close the deal, I’m there.
And guess what? I love all political parties too. Whether you’re wearing a red, green, or blue shirt, I’m on your team. I mean, I’ll even attend a rally just to show some support, provided there’s some good food and a chance to network.
Why? Because in the end, business is business. It’s about providing value, building relationships, and closing the deal not getting caught up in who believes in what or who’s running for president.
So, here’s my final tip for all the salespeople out there: Stay neutral, stay flexible, and stay focused on the product. Don’t let someone’s religion or political views dictate the flow of the conversation. If you’re smart, you’ll walk that fine line between being “too holy” or “too political” and instead just be “too professional” to care about who’s praying to whom or voting for what.
In the world of sales, we don’t need the extra drama. It’s already dramatic enough trying to close that deal.
