The Characteristics of Top-Performing Salespeople

Certified public accountant and DePaul University alumnus Paul Wakolbinger has a proven track record as a professional sales manager. Currently serving as a sales director for Kyriba, Paul Wakolbinger has been recognized for his proficiency in every stage of the sales process, beginning with identifying and recruiting top sales talent. While the personalities of top-notch salespeople can vary widely, there are specific shared characteristics that help identify them. Salespeople performing at the highest level have an endless supply of willpower in the face of rejection and disappointment. They are consistently highly competitive, take responsibility for their results, and are comfortable interacting with people they don’t know. An ideal salesperson, while being focused on his or her personal goals, should also have the capacity for empathy. Top salespeople are not task-oriented, meaning they aren’t generally concerned with the tasks that have to be undertaken to achieve something. What the best salespeople are is goal-oriented, more interested in the final result than the steps it takes to get there.