10 key takeaways from 2 years in Sandler

Joining Backslash Creative introduced me to a world where Sandler is a pivotal part of our culture. Thanks to Mike Crandall, Tim has well over a decade of Sandler experience and ensures that everyone on our team gets a dose of Sandler training regardless of their role.

As someone not in a direct sales position, I’ve found that Sandler’s teachings transcend sales, influencing how I approach communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Over the past two years, I’ve attended regular Sandler sessions, participated in client summit workshops, and more. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Mastering communication styles (DISC)

One of the first Sandler workshops I attended introduced me to the DISC model. Understanding and adapting to different communication styles has revolutionized both my personal interactions and professional engagements. It’s like cracking the code to effective communication—everyone should try it!

2. The value of patience

Sandler drilled into me the philosophy of “slow down to speed up.” It seemed counterintuitive initially, but by taking the time to organize and plan, I’ve actually sped up my overall efficiency and effectiveness in everything from daily tasks to major projects.

3. Be aware of your physical state

As part of their Behavior, Attitude, and Technique approach, Sandler taught me the importance of body condition awareness—recognizing when I’m not in the best state to make decisions or communicate effectively. Managing my physical condition during high-stress events—both professional and personal—has been crucial for maintaining my composure and effectiveness.

4. Reflect and practice to improve

Continuous improvement through reflection is a core Sandler principle. This practice has taught me to view every situation as a learning opportunity, constantly asking myself what went well and what could be better next time. I’ve now spent plenty of time in debrief sessions and what we call the practice field to get better!

5. Understanding what’s important to others

Through Sandler, I learned that my priorities aren’t always the same as others. Now, I consciously try to understand and address what matters most to those around me, even if it’s as simple as parking logistics.

6. Crafting your 30-second commercial

The Sandler 30-second commercial has been a game-changer for networking. It’s a quick, polished pitch about who I am and what I do, and it’s helped me make impactful first impressions everywhere, from client meetings to casual introductions.

7. Positive thinking, proactive behaviors

Sandler has shifted my mindset from focusing on problems to finding solutions by focusing on behaviors. Whenever I catch myself slipping into negativity, I pivot toward what I can do to improve the situation proactively.

8. Using frameworks for success

Applying Sandler frameworks has significantly improved my project management skills, especially noted during our church’s Single Moms Day event. These strategies helped streamline our processes, enhance team communication, and ensure the event’s success.

9. Smooth conversation transitions

One of my key developments has been learning to transition conversations from casual to business-oriented without feeling awkward. Sandler’s strategies have helped me find natural segues that build rapport and open business opportunities.

10. Developing consistent habits

Finally, Sandler emphasizes the power of habits. Establishing consistent processes for tasks has not only boosted my productivity but also enhanced my overall life management.

Bringing it all together

My Sandler experience has been about much more than just professional development; it’s been a transformative journey that has enhanced my interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and overall personal growth. These lessons have reshaped how I see challenges and opportunities in and out of the workplace.

Here’s to more learning and growth as I continue with Sandler!