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Engage, Communicate, Sell Better: What Each Generation Brings To The Table

By / / AI & Data, Business Growth, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, Sales Strategy, Value Proposition & Value Add

In 30 seconds

The Problem: Organisations often treat generational difference as a gap to manage rather than a resource to draw on, leaving experience and digital fluency siloed instead of combined.

The Shift: Knowledge is no longer gated by age or seniority, so the real advantage now lies in judgement, knowing what to do with information everyone can access, built through genuine two-way learning across generations.

The Solution: Create environments where younger digital fluency and experienced pattern recognition are exchanged in both directions, so engage, communicate and sell better works across the whole table, not just the senior end of it..

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Why Your Reputation IS Other People’s Business AND How Not To Care

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Brand & Reputation, Emotional Intelligence, Life Skills

In 30 seconds

Reese Witherspoon’s call to ignore others’ opinions promises freedom, but in business, reputation, shaped by what’s said when you leave the room, drives success. Harvard Business Review (2023) notes 70% of hiring decisions hinge on perception, underscoring our need to engage proactively. Yet, total detachment risks isolation. Emotional intelligence (EQ) bridges this gap: self-regulation and empathy foster trust while preserving identity. As an HSP, I use “caring detachment” to connect, collaborate, and lead, owning my emotions despite people-pleasing tendencies. It’s messy but manageable with reflection and boundaries. How do you balance freedom and reputation? Share your insights.

In 2 …

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Rebel Rebel Resilience: Bowie’s Blueprint for Thriving Under Pressure

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Emotional Intelligence, Life Skills, Resilience

In 30 seconds

David Bowie’s fearless reinvention inspires sales leaders and teams to thrive under pressure. Betrayed by manager Tony Defries and stuck in a post-Let’s Dance slump, Bowie pivoted with Tin Machine, embracing authenticity. His mantra, “throw away your best work to move forward,” fuels resilience. Drawing from Antifragile, GRIT, and Learned Optimism, reframe pressure as opportunity, align with purpose, and build loyal tribes. Choose progress over paralysis, dance through chaos like Bowie’s Diamond Dogs tour, and turn setbacks into wins. Be a rebel, let resilience be your anthem and make every challenge your stage.

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Is Rapport Really the #1 Predictor of Sales Performance?

By / / Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Life Skills, Sales Psychology, Value Based Selling

In 30 seconds

While rapport plays a valuable role in building trust and connection, it’s far from the sole driver of sales performance. Reducing sales success to “being likeable” oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted discipline. Effective salespeople don’t just charm—they listen, solve problems, communicate value, and follow through. In fact, some of the best performers aren’t especially sociable but consistently build credibility, trust, and results. At Barrett, our decades of experience and research show that true sales success stems from a cluster of traits: mindset, planning, value creation, problem-solving, trust, and yes, relationship building. Rapport is one important thread—but overemphasising it can …

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The Power of Micro Moments of Humanity: Small Acts, Big Connections

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Brain Science, Communication, Life Skills

In 30 seconds

In a fast-paced, disconnected world, small interactions, what I have termed—micro moments of humanity—can transform how we connect with others. These fleeting exchanges, like a shared smile, a thoughtful question, or genuine attentiveness, help us see, hear, and value the people around us. They foster trust, empathy, and a sense of belonging, reminding us of our shared humanity.

Micro moments are about mindful presence and gentle curiosity. Asking meaningful questions like “What’s something that made you smile today?” opens space for authentic connection. These small acts not only make others feel seen but also enhance our well-being by releasing …

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2025 Summer Reading & Podcast List

By / / Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Life Skills, Sales Leadership, Sales Research, Sales Strategy

Just as the Australian summer holiday season is wrapping up and children are going back to school, many are turning their minds to the year ahead. 2024 had a lot of ups and downs, so in preparation for 2025, we’ve prepared a selection of some of our most popular articles and podcasts plus a video that will help you navigate your way forward with more clarity, confidence, and courage.

A Selection of Articles

Navigating the Brave New World of Sales

Sue Barrett and Alex Fein (Researcher, RedBridge) unpack the major shifts transforming the sales and business landscape. From navigating political volatility and …

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Trend 10 – Self AND Other Awareness

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Common Ground, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Human-centred, Life Skills, Sales Trends, Self Development, Soft skills, Success, Wellbeing

This is Trend 10 from Barrett’s 12 Business and Sales Trends for 2024. You can download the full report here.

In 30 seconds

In successful businesses, the dual focus on self-awareness and consideration for others fosters leadership effectiveness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. It shapes collaborative team dynamics, customer relations, and conflict resolution. The intersection of self-awareness and consideration, witnessing enhanced communication, stronger relationships, and practical implementations in sales teams has a huge transformative power.

In 2.5 minutes

One of the things we noticed this year in successful businesses and sales teams is that their people are both self-aware …

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Why a Sales Career is brilliant for women’s health & well-being

The Power of Reflection for Sales Success

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Life Skills, Mindful selling, Sales Skills, Sales Tips, Self Development, Success, Wellbeing

In 30 seconds

In a fast-paced sales environment, reflection is often overlooked. However, taking time to analyse experiences is crucial for growth.

Reflection:

  • Fosters self-awareness, improving communication and client relationships
  • Helps salespeople gain valuable insights into client interactions to better tailor their approach
  • Promotes adaptability, allowing salespeople to adjust to changing markets and client needs

Sales activities like strategy planning and coaching already involve reflection. However, it’s also important to schedule dedicated time for deeper analysis and exploration of current situations and new opportunities.

By nurturing a culture of reflection, businesses empower their sales teams for long-term success.

In 2 minutes

While a busy sales environment often prioritises action, …

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hybrid-selling is here to stay

Nurturing Soft Skills for Business Success

By / / Blog, Digital credentials, Education in Sales, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, Sales Essentials, Sales Skills

In 30 seconds

Soft skills have taken centre stage in the 4th Industrial Revolution, becoming integral to employability and business success. These versatile abilities, spanning communication, teamwork, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, ethics, and global citizenship, are now more critical than ever. Deloitte Access Economics forecasts that by 2030, two-thirds of jobs will heavily depend on soft skills, marking a significant workforce transformation. Businesses, especially in sales and customer service, can gain a competitive edge and increase revenue by fostering these skills. Enhanced interpersonal and self-management proficiencies create healthier work environments. Contrary to the belief that soft skills are innate, they can be …

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Everybody Lives by Selling Something

By / / Attitudes & Behaviours, Blog, Life Skills, Sales Culture, Sales Skills, Selling Better

In 30 seconds

The quote “Everybody lives by selling something,” attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson, emphasizes that everyone constantly engages in selling, whether products, ideas, or themselves. In a business context, all employees contribute to promoting their company, from salespeople to those in marketing, customer service, and representing the brand. This extends to internal departments as well, like Audit & Risk and Diversity & Inclusion. In our personal life, we continuously sell ourselves in job interviews, first dates, and social interactions. Successful selling relies on psychology and empathy, understanding customers’ needs and motivations. Mastering ethical selling empowers individuals and fuels opportunity, …

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