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Walkin’ the Line

August 22, 2013 By Jill Of All Trades Leave a comment

© Depositphotos.com/majaFOTO

© Depositphotos.com/ majaFOTO


Growing up, my gramma was always the queen of colorful country colloquialisms. Some left me scratching my head (I still don’t know what gobbledygook is). But others were little gems of country wisdom.
“He’s as windy as a sack full of farts,” to describe a particularly loquacious individual.
“He’s so full of s#*% his eyes are brown,” for those who are prone to exaggerate or lie.
“He couldn’t find his a$& with both hands tied behind his back,” for the woefully inept.
Simple? Maybe. Vulgar? Probably. Endearing? Terribly.
One of my all-time favorite gramma expressions has got to be: “I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth.”
It wasn’t until later in life that I came to fully appreciate this saying, particularly since we all know someone who fits this description. Hell, you’ve probably worked with one of these people. You know, the guy who’s managed to overshoot the land of the confident professional and launched himself into the realm of cocky a-hole, where he and every other malignant narcissist has declared himself king.
When you’re selling to customers, you’ve got to walk the line between confidence and cockiness:
Confidence is listening to others; Cockiness is talking to hear the sound of your own voice.
Confidence is being forthright with weaknesses; Cockiness is putting lipstick on a pig.
Confidence is working to achieve results; Cockiness is pissing into the wind.
Confidence is following through on your promise; Cockiness is all sizzle and no steak. 
Confidence brings value to your company; Cockiness is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
So how do walk this fine line? With humility, tact, and honesty. There’s nothing wrong with a little swagger – it’s why some of your best customers only buy from you and only you – just make sure you’ve got the goods to back it up. After all, don’t nobody want a cowboy who’s all hat and no cattle.


Originally from Kansas, Jill of All Trades Aimee Brock gets some of her country snark & sales knowledge from her gramma. Where’s the line for you between confident and cocky? Share in the comments or with Aimee directly!
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