In this episode, Elena is joined once again by sales expert Brendan McAdams for a practical, deep-dive conversation perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their sales skills—especially startup founders and entrepreneurs. Brendan shares the story of his unconventional path into sales, how his English degree became a surprising asset, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned working with everyone from Fortune 500s to early-stage innovators.Together, Elena and Brendan break down why true curiosity and understanding your customer’s real problems are at the heart of successful selling—not slick pitches. They discuss actionable strategies for building relationships and credibility, the difference between selling an idea inside a company versus to external clients, and the essential role of persistence, follow-up, and empathy in the sales process. Whether you’re launching a new product, growing a company, or simply negotiating at work, this episode is packed with tactical advice and real-world examples that will inspire you to approach sales with confidence and authenticity.Stay tuned to hear about Brendan’s new projects, including his upcoming book and work with accelerators, and get ready to transform the way you think about sales as a career—and as a super skill for life.Time stamps:00:00 Effective Sales Tip: Focus on Client05:35 Sales as a Universal Skill06:44 Collaborative Influence Over Direct Selling12:47 Starting to Sell Tech Product13:16 Empathic Communication Strategy19:19 Optimal Weekly Sales Reach-Outs19:59 B2B vs. B2C Sales Strategy24:27 Effective Outreach for Investor Engagement26:46 Optimizing Sales Response Time30:41 "Learn from Industry Peers"34:02 Connect with Brendan on LinkedInConnect with Brendan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcadams/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wijIf you like this video, please like, subscribe, comment, and share! Your support is extremely valued! #careercoaching #careertips #careerresilience #futureofwork #careerstrategy