Sales Strategy
Being Humble And Kind Leads To Greater Success | January 04, 2017 (1 comment)
Miami, FL—Today, it’s less about being high-profile and more about trust and humility. Well, as a girl from Tennessee, it sounds just like the American Music Award-winning Tim McGraw song, “Always Remain Humble and Kind.”
I’m sometimes perplexed and a bit put off when I see people making a big show about climbing the corporate ladder. You know the type: those that use an elbow-out approach like a football player that blocks anyone else who might be trying to ascend. Those are the people who load their plates with as much high profile work as possible. They try to be on every committee and on the agenda of every committee meeting. All too often they leave the real work to be accomplished by the competent people who keep their heads down and continue to do the heavy lifting. Let me just say, we see through you!
This kind of behavior reminds me of the show “Mad Men.” The idea of grabbing visibility may be classic business training in the ‘80s and ‘90s but it doesn’t work today. Companies today with strong culture, value a spirit of humility. Everybody works hard; that’s just how it goes. Today we’d rather work side by side with people we can trust, who bring that same level of integrity that we do, rather than with shameless posers.
No doubt there are still retail organizations out there that lack a strong culture and still reward opportunists. But in today’s world I can’t believe that they, or the people they hire, will be viable for much longer. I am lucky enough to be in touch with many leaders in our industry and no one is fooled or impressed by ladder climbers.
In fact, in today’s retail environment, owners are naturally more inclined to give important tasks to those “strong silent types.” The ones who always deliver.
Maybe we recognize our younger selves in today’s hard working hero’s. And maybe, just maybe we remember those who buzzed around, talked a good game but never accomplished much. I still, to this day don’t have a title on my business cards. It amazes me that people “need” a title. Don’t buzz around and get nothing done. Don’t be that kind of girl or guy.
Always remain “Humble and Kind.” --Andie
Andie Weinman, president and CEO of Preferred Jewelers International / Continental Buying Group Inc., was born with the “Jewelry Gene” working in the jewelry industry since she was only ten years old. Her first job was as a cashier in the opening of a catalog showroom doing a fantastic job even at that tender age. Andie holds a B.A. in musical theatre and a B.S. in marine biology from The University of Tampa. When she realized that seawater and marine biology were not good on her hair and she wasn’t quite good enough to make it on Broadway, the jewelry business beckoned. Andie has picked diamonds, sorted color stones, shot waxes and performed a multitude of jobs in the manufacturing of jewelry. Her negotiating experience and prowess has given her the reputation as being tough but fair in her dealings with vendors. In 2012 the Indian Diamond and Color Association awarded Andie the Prestigious Doyenne Award of the Year.