It was at the the end of a day-long sales training program with a group when one of the business owners piped up, “What we need are some gay guys to sell our merchandise.” She was asked, “Why specifically gay men?”
She answered, “Because when we visited stores yesterday in the City, they were out and willing to tell anyone in a matter-of-fact way. They were personable, fun, you just wanted to buy from them.” I understood from her descriptions of several of these guys why she would want them to work for her.
Expressive gays tend to be extroverts who occasionally tend to make their private business public and sharing information without boundaries. The Expressive is the Grasshopper living for today. Recognized by customers for their uniqueness. Again, their enthusiasm and energy are the spark plugs for your team.
Their enthusiasm can make them feel a bit invincible at times; and can overwhelm Analyticals who want “just the facts.”
Expressive personalities have to process externally while Driver and Analytical personalities don’t. The downside to an Expressives’ natural inclination to show multiple possibilities might require the customer to bring them back to the product the customer is considering, not all of the other possibilities. Their natural enthusiasm can also inflate products’ benefits without devoting time to adequately explaining why.
But I can see how it could easily be confused. An Expressive guy comes out, has to deal with the social ramifications and decide he’s OK with it. Because of coming through that process, there is no baggage so he is free to let himself be open to meeting others. I am okay with me being me. But will the boss and the world be okay with the new me?
That all stems from the basic Expressive personality. In other words, what this owner identified was the personality type that happened to be gay; not a gay person. With me?
The Expressives I think are the most challenging of all the personalities. Their very energy is what keeps many from hiring them. Their creativity, individualism and self-assuredness can be threatening. And when you’re trying to teach them a rigid process your Analtyical employees can easily take to, this personality will constantly challenge why they have to do it “that way.” They will complain their creativity is being stifled – they feel like robots.
What we have to remember is the Expressive is the spark-plug to your crew. They are the one that adds color, excitement and fun.
Is that a gay thing? Or a sales thing?
Should you recruit gay men to sell your stuff? Do yo think business people wold buy6 products and services from a gay guy?
Do women tend to trust gay guys who are expressive? Yes?
You don’t need a lot of Expressives on your sales force but at least one keeps things interesting and fun for your crew and your customers.
My question is selling traditional dry and boring products like insurance, health,Long Term Care in the home. with my french nails, arched brows, sparkly personality do I you think it will work for me or that I am living in a fools paradise and will be received with a thundering thud.
I am not the same as I was a year ago ( In am open now, wasn’t then and there have been hormonal changes too) and I want to reenter the workplace as I am not as I was. What do you think, be nice but be honest. Work places tend to be conservative and traditional and some industries even more so. Help me please !!! LOL
Really some thoughtful advice will be appreciated.