Employers Hub | Most important trait amongst your sales team

Apr 28, 2022

Daniel Hale

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    When it comes to the most important trait in salespeople, almost every sales manager I speak with puts accountability at the top of their list.

    This has been exacerbated by COVID-19, which allows sales teams to work remotely, away from management scrutiny. Am I hiring someone who will take responsibility for a problem or issue or someone who will avoid it? When no one is looking or keeping track, what kind of behaviour will we see?

    So, how do you find candidates with this skillset and how do you assess this in an interview?

    I want to get a sense of responsibility for the problems they’ve encountered as well as an acceptance of the fact that the world isn’t flawless. I’m looking for a mindset that says, “How I responded and controlled these challenges, not the situations themselves, define me.” Is there a sense of invulnerability or motivation to own an issue and take on the challenge?

    Accountability and grit go hand in hand, and they’re both partly innate and partly developed, like other attributes. For example, the candidate who started their own business or worked in a commission-only sales position early in their career stands out to me since there is clear accountability on paper. It denotes someone who thrives on a challenge and is forced to hold responsibility.

    On the other side, a candidate who has worked for a large vendor for ten years or more and has a long career may have become “institutionalised” and picked up negative behaviours over time. Of course, no assumptions should be made, but it’s critical to gain context and ask situational questions to learn about their reason for their own issues.

    In the modern sales environment, accountability for problem-solving, personal results, and owning a sales cycle sets your team up for success. 

     

    BUILD YOUR TEAM WITH ELITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS

    Benefit from Pulse Recruitment’s expertise in IT, sales, and marketing recruitment to secure the finest professionals in APAC and the US. Discover the difference and start your journey by submitting your job vacancy!

    FROM OUR PULSE NEWS, EMPLOYER AND JOB SEEKER HUBS

    Featured Articles

    The Impact of AI vs. Cybercrime in 2025

    As of mid-2025, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as both a formidable threat and a critical defense tool in the world of cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are now wielding AI with unprecedented sophistication, deploying attacks that are faster, more targeted, and increasingly difficult to detect. At the same time, defenders are rising to the challenge, leveraging AI…
    Is Your Cybersecurity Team Strong Enough?

    In the modern enterprise, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT function; it’s a fundamental pillar of business continuity, reputation, and trust. As the digital threat landscape continues its relentless expansion, with sophisticated ransomware, persistent nation-state actors, and evolving attack methodologies, the strength of your cybersecurity team directly correlates with the resilience of your entire organization. However,…
    Is Cybersecurity Right for You?

    In an increasingly digital world, where data breaches make headlines and sophisticated cyberattacks threaten businesses and individuals alike, cybersecurity has emerged as one of the most critical and in-demand fields globally. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving domain at the forefront of technology, offering intellectual challenge, continuous learning, and the profound satisfaction of protecting what matters. But…
    ANZ Cyber Talent: Your Key to Defense

    Cybercrime is no longer a looming future concern—it’s a stark and undeniable daily reality that impacts every sector, every organization, and every individual. From the high-profile, devastating data breaches that make international headlines to the insidious, costly business disruptions that chip away at profits and trust, the pressure on Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) organizations…
    How to Future Proof Your Cyber Team

    In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, the only constant is change. What was a cutting-edge defense yesterday can become a vulnerable target tomorrow. New attack vectors emerge with alarming speed, sophisticated adversaries leverage AI and automation, and the digital perimeter expands endlessly with cloud adoption and IoT proliferation. In this environment, a static cybersecurity team…
    How to Pivot into Cyber Sales

    The digital realm is in a constant state of flux, driven by relentless innovation and unfortunately, ever-escalating cyber threats. From sophisticated ransomware attacks targeting global enterprises to nation-state actors engaging in cyber espionage, the need for robust cybersecurity solutions has never been more critical. This pervasive threat landscape has transformed cybersecurity from a niche IT…
    How to Grow a Sales Network

    In the high-stakes arena of sales, particularly in complex B2B environments, success extends far beyond a compelling pitch or a perfectly memorized product sheet. While product knowledge and closing skills are undoubtedly crucial, an often-underestimated, yet incredibly powerful, asset for any sales professional is their network. A robust sales network isn’t just a collection of…
    How Do You Get Started in SaaS Sales?

    The technology landscape is increasingly dominated by Software as a Service (SaaS). From the everyday apps on your phone to the complex enterprise solutions powering global businesses, SaaS is everywhere. This explosive growth has created a parallel boom in demand for a specific type of professional: the SaaS sales expert. Unlike traditional product sales, SaaS…
    Where Are Your Tech Sales Hiring Gaps?

    In the hyper-competitive world of technology, a robust and effective sales team is the lifeblood of any successful company. These aren’t just order-takers; they are strategic thinkers, relationship builders, and technical communicators who drive revenue, foster customer loyalty, and expand market share. Yet, for many organizations, the process of hiring these crucial tech sales professionals…
    What’s missing in your tech sales team?

    In the dynamic and hyper-competitive world of technology, a high-performing sales team isn’t just a luxury; it’s the lifeline of your business. They are the frontline evangelists, the revenue generators, and the critical link between your innovative products and the market. Yet, for many tech companies, despite having great products and dedicated individuals, the sales…

    Visit our blog page