Relatability (7/30/14)

Growing up I had the benefit of a world class education starting at a very young age. Psychology, economics, and art history were among the many subjects I studied in grade school. That list grew exponentially once I made it to college with subjects like theology, sociology, and marine biology. Do many of these courses have all that much relevance in my day to day life? Not really, but they broaden my knowledge base and make it possible to potentially relate to a complete stranger.

Normally I’m a fan of the acquisition of knowledge by doing. I think you get a better understanding of the subject matter that way, but it isn’t always possible with subjects like brain surgery and rocket science. However, you decide to expand your horizons is irrelevant as long as you expand them. In expanding your horizons you are able to relate to a greater number of people, and being able to relate and being relatable is paramount if you want to be successful in sales.

Just think about the interactions you had with your parents. They told you stories of mistakes they made growing up. They were trying to make their life lessons relatable to you in hopes that you wouldn’t replicate their mistakes. Chances are you made them anyway, but your parents were unknowingly teaching you about sales at a young age.