Starting a new job comes with a lot of excitement. There are new people, a new routine, a new office (or lack-there-of), and a whole new set of responsibilities. However, just like when the Peloton arrived at the front door in 2020, eventually that first surge of excitement wears off and it’s time to start pedaling. In that vein, this post will focus on how starting a new job has helped me realize some of my weaknesses, and why I think that is so exciting.
I have always thought I would be good at sales. Not only has my dad worked in software sales his entire life, but I have always been comfortable with people. I remember going to “coffee hour” after Sunday church and having more fun talking with the adults than the other kids my age. In school, presentations were something I looked forward to. And when senior year came around, nothing got me more excited than the chance to give a speech at the Shawmut Aquatic Club senior banquet. However, 1.5 months into my first SaaS sales role and I have realized that being a confident conversationalist only begins to scratch the surface of what is required to succeed in sales.
My assumption was that sales at Rattle, or anywhere for that matter, would be pretty straightforward. We have an incredibly useful product with some very cool features. Prospects would see our product and understand how cool and useful it is. Prospects would do a trial. Prospects would write a check. Easy. Onto the next one. Done and dusted as Leanne would say. However, it is not nearly that simple. I am a big believer in the Dunning-Kruger effect, so perhaps I should have been somewhat skeptical when I thought it would be that easy. In any case, I can say with certainty now that it is not. Sales as a process is far more nuanced than I ever gave it credit for, and it is now clear to me just how much I have to learn. In addition to sales, my time at Rattle so far has helped me recognize a number of other areas where I have much to learn. From product expertise, and building scalable processes, to big picture strategy and understanding market dynamics, there are a handful of skills that I am only just beginning to develop.
So how exactly does this all make me feel? In some respects, I feel like I am on that brand new Peloton huffing and puffing five minutes into my first 30 minute HIIT ride (minus the Ibiza club references). I’m not going to lie, it’s humbling. I went from being an expert in my job, the go-to-guy when senior people needed something done, to the novice trying to learn everything. I do not think that this is a bad thing though. I think that coming into something new and committing to the learning process is incredibly important. Right now, I am learning that there is so much that I don’t know, and it is making me more humble, and more excited to learn. I like to think about it this way: when I play guitar I sometimes get lazy and play the same song over and over again. Jamming to a song I already know doesn’t require much mental strain, and in the moment it is more fun than fumbling around on the fret board trying to learn something new. However, it isn’t nearly as rewarding. The times when I finally do decide to open Youtube and queue up Marty Music are vastly more gratifying. Yes, it requires that I admit to myself that I am not Andrew Hendricks, and it means hours of playing the same notes over and over again at 1/8th the speed that they’re supposed to be played. But when all is said and done, and I’m ripping a new song at full speed as the original blasts through the speakers, it all becomes worth it.
Point being, I am currently at the stage in my career where I am opening up Marty Music and beginning to learn a new song. I have experiences under my belt that will help me, and I am confident that I will get to a point where I know Rattle inside and out, but that is going to take time. I have to learn the notes before I can start putting my own spin on them.
Learning the Notes
Well written Andrew
I applaud your insight and positive attitude 😊