Imagine you’ve just returned from vacation, and you’re using your last day off to rest and recharge for the work week. Your boss asks if you can come in and, maybe semi-reluctantly, you agree.
When you get there, you discover the office has been decorated with pictures of the top sellers in your market – and your picture is part of it. That’s when you realize you’ve just achieved what you thought was impossible, and your whole team is there to celebrate with you.
“It was an absolutely unforgettable moment and a very proud milestone in my career,” said Field Sales Representative Jordan, who doesn’t have to imagine it because she lived it.
How did Jordan get here? It all started when her team got a new manager…
Learning to lead
George began his career at AT&T in our retail stores. At that time, he was looking for a fresh start and the decision to join our team would prove to be life changing. He took to the job quickly and his career ambitions turned to management.
“Seeing it done the wrong way is what really made me want to become a leader,” he told us. “I saw two of my peers really struggling and instead of opening a dialog, they were just left to do it themselves.”
“To me, a good leader is someone who protects their people and helps them understand what they need to succeed,” George continued. “Is it a problem of will or skill? If someone has the will, you can train them, you can set goals, and they can do great things.”
After spending a few years as a Retail Store Manager, an opportunity to lead a Field Sales team in Atlanta came up. Ready for a new challenge, George applied, got the job, and moved to the city with a new goal: pay his success forward.
Supporting others
When George arrived in Atlanta, he discovered that his new team was struggling and they needed a good leader. It was time to find out what the problem was: will or skill?
George dove headfirst into one-on-one meetings with his new team, discovering what they were all about and finding ways he could help them achieve their own goals. Then, he started building action plans – some including Summit, our annual award ceremony for top retail sellers, at the end of the rainbow.
“Before George came here, no leader had ever discussed Summit with me in depth. It just didn’t feel like a realistic goal for me,” Jordan admitted.
“When I heard those words, my heart sank,” George shared. “We need to be inspiring our people. No one should be saying Summit is unreachable, because it isn’t. If you’re on my team, I’m going to have your back and I’m going to help you get there.”
George and Jordan began digging into the numbers and, together, they set goals and put a plan into action. Monthly meetings followed to review progress and make any adjustments.
“We’re in this together. If you fail, then that means I failed, too. Let’s own that and start talking about solutions. This is a chance to learn and make sure we get better results next time,” George explained.
His hands-on, inspiring approach was exactly what the team needed and just about a year later, George had multiple sellers earning over $100,000 and Jordan was on her way to Summit.
“Success comes down to accountability, consistency, and giving your best effort every single day,” Jordan shared. “If you stay committed to your goals, achieving them is well within your reach.”
George and Jordan’s top tips
Make an action plan
“Accountability is a two-way street and if we hold each other accountable, we can get it done,” George said.
Have a positive mindset
“It’s a simple concept, but extremely effective. Approaching each day with positivity and intention has made a meaningful difference in my performance,” Jordan offered.
Take care of yourself
“This role is 95% mental, and sometimes includes a lot of rejection. I’m a big proponent of mental health, and AT&T offers a lot of great resources to help you care for yours,” George said.
Continuing the climb
While reaching Summit is an impressive milestone, it’s not the end of the journey. George and Jordan have their eyes on the next big achievement and the exciting opportunities that come along with it.
“People do what we do at other companies but when I say I work for AT&T, it’s almost like being a celebrity because we’re so selective,” George said. “We bring in the best of the best and if you’re here it means we believe in you.”
“I’ve worked for a competitor and, speaking from experience, I’d choose a career with AT&T again and again,” Jordan concluded.
Find your place on our field sales team
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