Sales Isn't Just for the Sales Team (And Other Truths Nobody Tells You)

Here's something that took me way too long to figure out: sales isn't actually about sales.

I know, I know. But hear me out.

When most people think about "sales," they picture someone in a button-down shirt hammering away at cold calls, armed with a script and unrealistic quota. And sure, that's part of it. But if that's your entire sales strategy, you're leaving money—and relationships—on the table.

Growth Is a Team Sport

Here's what I've learned: growth is a mindset that flows through your entire organization. From the person in the corner office to the intern making coffee runs (do people still do coffee runs?), everyone has a role to play.

Think about it like this: your company is a flywheel. Marketing creates awareness. Sales starts conversations. Product delivers value. Customer success keeps people coming back. And when all these pieces work together? That's when the magic happens. That's when you stop pushing for growth and start creating it.

Not Every Conversation Needs to Close

Here's the thing nobody wants to admit: not every conversation will turn into a signed contract. Some prospects aren't ready. Some aren't the right fit. Some just wanted to pick your brain (we've all been there).

But here's what matters: every single interaction shapes how people see your company.

That prospect who wasn't ready today? They're going to remember how helpful you were. That casual conversation at a conference? Someone's filing that away. The way your support team handled that tricky question? That's going to come up in someone's Slack channel when they're evaluating vendors.

Your Receptionist Is Part of Your Sales Team

Wild concept, right? But your receptionist, your engineers, your designers, your account managers—they're all touching clients and prospects in some way. And every one of those touches is an opportunity.

An opportunity to be helpful. To build trust. To create a relationship that outlasts any single transaction.

I'm not saying everyone needs to start pitching your services. That would be weird and exhausting. But what if everyone in your company saw themselves as a brand representative? What if being helpful and creating genuine connections was just... part of the culture?

The Flywheel Effect

When sales becomes a company-wide philosophy, something shifts. Marketing and sales aren't at odds. Customer success feeds insights back to product. Leadership actually talks to clients. The intern has permission to be creative about building relationships.

And that flywheel? It starts spinning faster.

Because growth isn't something you do. It's something you are.