Sell By Being Human copertina

Sell By Being Human

Sell By Being Human

Di: Alex Smith
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This is where human connection and sales meet. You may be someone whose success depends on influence, negotiation, and your ability to create change, but you may reject aggressive sales tactics. Maybe you feel stuck in corporate "autopilot," knowing your best asset is your genuine personality, but you struggle to use it to get what you want. Then this channel is for you. It will teach you how to close the gap between wanting to be ethical and feeling pressured to sell aggressively. You’ll also learn actionable strategies for translating emotional intelligence into high-trust results. Join Alex and top guests, including NY Times bestsellers, keynote speakers, and global founders, as they prove that being truly human is the ultimate sales advantage.Copyright 2026 Alex Smith Economia Gestione e leadership Management Ricerca del lavoro Successo personale
Episodi
  • The Most Important Sale You'll Ever Make Is Believing In Yourself

    The Most Important Sale You'll Ever Make Is Believing In Yourself
    Jun 24 2026
    What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and success isn't a lack of skill, talent, or opportunity but a story you've been telling yourself for years?In this episode of Sell by Being Human, Alex Smith sits down with Coach Monique DeMonaco, founder of EQ Wize, emotional intelligence expert, executive coach, and author of Most People Don't Need a Therapist, They Just Need Change. With more than two decades of experience helping leaders, teams, and individuals develop emotional intelligence, Monique has built a career around one powerful idea: awareness changes everything.But her journey began far from boardrooms and leadership retreats. Raised in rural poverty by parents struggling with mental illness, Monique spent much of her childhood believing she wasn't smart enough, capable enough, or destined for more. Diagnosed at fifteen with learning disabilities and epilepsy after years of being misunderstood, she faced a choice that would shape the rest of her life: accept the limitations others placed on her or begin questioning them.Monique shares the deeply personal story of how a single shift in self-awareness transformed her future, eventually leading her to become the first person in her family to graduate from college and build a thriving coaching practice. Along the way, she discovered that most behaviors people want to change aren't the real problem; they're coping mechanisms hiding deeper fears, beliefs, and emotional patterns.From overcoming self-doubt to helping leaders navigate change, Monique explains why emotional intelligence is one of the most valuable skills anyone can develop. Whether you're leading a company, building a business, raising a family, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that growth starts with understanding yourself first.Because before you can influence others, you have to learn how to believe in your own potential.Key TakeawaysSelf-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence and lasting personal growthMany behaviors people want to change are symptoms of deeper emotional patternsResilience allows people to separate failure from their identityMost people are far more capable than they believe themselves to beAsking thoughtful questions creates more change than giving adviceEmotional intelligence helps people understand both themselves and others more effectivelyConnection is built through curiosity, empathy, and understandingPeople are always selling themselves through relationships, communication, and influenceStories and emotions create stronger connections than facts alonePersonal growth is a lifelong process, regardless of success or achievementConfidence grows through awareness, not perfectionThe most meaningful change begins when people challenge the beliefs they've inherited about themselves In This Episode:[00:00] Intro[01:14] Meet Coach Monique DeMonaco[02:22] What “sell by being human” means to Monique[03:33] Building connections through authentic relationships[05:17] Why emotional intelligence became her life’s work[06:27] Growing up with learning disabilities, epilepsy, and self-doubt[08:30] Discovering the Silva Method and the power of self-awareness[09:59] Turning personal transformation into a coaching career[11:53] Why awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence[13:11] Resilience, identity, and overcoming limiting beliefs[14:50] The moment Monique began seeing herself differently[16:08] Being told she would never go to college[17:35] Becoming the first person in her family to graduate[19:12] Emotional intelligence as a tool for creating change[21:01] Understanding the emotions behind behavior[23:39] Why questions are more powerful than advice[24:53] Uncovering the hidden causes of problem behaviors[28:25] How emotionally intelligent selling creates trust[30:30] Why stories are more persuasive than statistics[31:58] Practical ways to strengthen emotional intelligence[33:34] Lifelong learning and self-awareness practices[35:08] Using past successes to build confidence[36:58] Sales, influence, and human connection[39:34] Why people often underestimate themselves[42:10] Raising children across two generations[43:07] What Gen Z is teaching leaders about communication[45:13] Why most people are better than they think they are[47:11] Imposter syndrome at every level of success[48:10] Where to find Coach Monique and EQ Wize[49:20] Closing Our GuestCoach Monique DeMonaco is the founder of EQ Wize, an education and training startup delivering emotional intelligence and brain science-based education. With over 20 years of experience as an internationally trained life, executive, and career coach, she has helped individuals, teams, and leaders develop core emotional intelligence skills including self-awareness, resilience, and critical thinking. She is also the author of Most People Don't Need a Therapist, They Just Need Change: An Easy Guide for Positive Sustainable ...
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    48 min
  • The Recruiter Who Looked Beyond the Resume

    The Recruiter Who Looked Beyond the Resume
    Jun 10 2026
    Could the most powerful sales skill have nothing to do with persuasion and everything to do with seeing someone's potential before they can see it themselves?In this episode of Sell by Being Human, Alex Smith sits down with Maximos Lih, a former Google recruiter, Google Ventures coach, and founder of Emboldened LLC. Maximos has helped scale everything from early-stage startups (including Uber in its 50-person days) to top executives navigating high-stakes change. But his most powerful lessons in connection didn't come from Silicon Valley. They came from his grandfather, a general in the Chinese army who took in orphans during a civil war and taught Maximos that success isn't about forcing change. It's about being the eyes and ears for someone else's potential.Maximos shares how he learned to look past résumés and "no's" to see what others missed, first as a recruiter, then as a coach to founders afraid of failing their teams. He talks about why anxiety is the real enemy of change, why unsolicited advice kills trust, and why the best salespeople don't try to change someone's mind. They change the emotional atmosphere in the room.From his grandfather's quiet acts of humanity to late-night conversations with strangers on airplanes, Maximos's story is a powerful reminder: sell by being human. Lower the anxiety first. The rest follows.Key TakeawaysPeople embrace change faster when anxiety is reduced firstGreat recruiters and coaches look beyond resumes and surface-level performanceHuman connection begins when people feel seen, heard, and understoodCuriosity creates stronger relationships than authority or expertise aloneThe best leaders collaborate with people instead of forcing decisions onto themUnsolicited advice often creates resistance, even when intentions are goodHelping someone clarify what they truly value leads to better decisionsTrust grows when people feel emotionally safe enough to be transparentLeadership is less about giving answers and more about asking better questionsReal influence comes from helping people arrive at their own conclusions In This Episode:[00:00] Intro[00:01] Meet Maximos Lee[01:00] From Google and Uber to executive coaching[01:34] Maximos ’ family story and his grandfather’s legacy[02:29] What “sell by being human” means to Maximos [05:11] Growing up surrounded by change and adaptation[09:42] Why people need others to become their “eyes and ears”[11:01] Looking beyond resumes and recognizing hidden potential[17:00] Hope, opportunity, and helping the next generation[18:10] Why people resist the idea of “selling”[19:01] Skills that help people connect and create change[20:48] Lowering anxiety before leading change[22:59] Why people need to feel seen and understood[23:25] Coaching versus advising: understanding what people truly need[24:41] Helping clients feel safe enough to be transparent[30:33] Asking values based questions instead of surface level questions[31:06] Coaching startup founders through identity and change[36:18] Interrupting patterns and helping leaders think differently[37:14] Helping founders make difficult decisions without fear[39:30] Fear, identity, and decision making under pressure[41:13] Collaborative leadership instead of forcing solutions[42:19] Helping people arrive at their own decisions[44:39] The danger of unsolicited advice[48:44] Why expertise alone does not build trust[50:44] What makes Maximos totally Maximos?[52:54] Connecting deeply with strangers and seeing humanity everywhere[56:01] Random conversations, empathy, and human connection[56:50] Where to find and connect with Maximos [56:54] Closing Our GuestMaximos Lih is the founder of Emboldened LLC, an executive coach who works with small teams and leaders to scale without losing their edge. He previously worked as a technical recruiter at Google, a coach at Google Ventures (helping founders scale from startup to scale-up), and watched Uber grow from 50 people to hundreds. His approach blends Silicon Valley pragmatism with a deeply human philosophy inherited from his grandfather — a Chinese general who taught him that real influence isn’t about control, but about seeing people fully.Resources and LinksSell by Being HumanLinkMaximos LihLinkedInEmboldened LLCAlex SmithWebsiteLinkedIn
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    51 min
  • Why Professionalism Is Ruining Your Sales

    Why Professionalism Is Ruining Your Sales
    Apr 22 2026
    In sales, they always say: stay professional and never rock the boat, right? But think about it. Who do buyers actually remember? The professional who checks all the boxes or the real human with smiles, energy, and personality?In this episode of Sell by Being Human, host Alex Smith sits down with April Palmer, Account Executive at Duckbill, adjunct professor at VCU, and self-described "hot mess boss," to explore why showing up as your authentic self is not just good for your soul, it is good for sales.April's path started in unexpected places. From selling mistletoe door to door as a kid to closing multi-million dollar enterprise deals, she has learned that the real secret to sales is not better scripts or sharper rebuttals. It is genuine human connection. With 20,000 "weirdos" following her late-night LinkedIn chaos, April has proof that people buy from real people, not robots or talking heads.In this conversation, you will hear why she tells prospects not to buy from her, how a ruptured Achilles led to 12 job offers, and why the platinum rule beats the golden rule every time. She also shares her dad's most annoying and effective question, what hula hoops and cheesecake taught her about prospecting, and why showing up looking like a "cotton candy machine that turned into a human" is actually a calculated strategy.If you have ever felt pressure to dim your personality at work, wondered if you could be "too much" for corporate America, or suspected that vanilla ice cream is not your flavor, this conversation offers a different way forward.Key TakeawaysWhy "professionalism" is often just fear in beige clothingHow being authentically you attracts the right buyers and repels the wrong onesThe platinum rule: Treat others the way they want to be treatedWhy "help me understand" is the most powerful phrase in salesHow to know when to tell a prospect not to buy from youThe importance of systems and transparency in building trustWhy calculated risks (like wearing a hot pink suit to a tech conference) pay offHow being vulnerable creates safety for buyers to open upThe art of connecting people and why introductions reveal how you really feelIn This Episode:[00:00] Introduction to April Palmer[01:29] April's legendary outreach email[04:34] What "sell by being human" means to April[05:26] Why rebuttals give her the "ick"[07:58] The platinum rule vs. the golden rule[08:56] Growing up in the Bible Belt without TV[11:06] The seven-layer man: April's dad and the art of asking why[14:33] "Help me understand" and the power of shutting up[16:43] Professionalism is fear masquerading as beige[19:21] Being pistachio in a sea of vanilla[23:28] Surfing as a metaphor for life and sales[24:48] Posting about sexual assault and the connections it created[26:48] Getting fired while injured and the 12 offers that followed[29:45] Transparency in the sales process: Project plans and aligned expectations[32:28] Why April tells people not to buy from her[34:00] Hula hoops, cheesecake, and standing out[37:30] Fear in sales: Disappointing clients and handing off deals[42:43] Chaos with a purpose: The strategy behind the unhinged[47:37] How being yourself invites buyers to drop their armor[49:33] The story that's so April: How introductions reveal everything[52:53] Where to find AprilNotable Quotes[05:11] “When I hear sales tactics from someone else, I get the ick so hard that even if I love the thing, I hesitate to buy from them.” — April[06:17] “ If you’re super curious about someone’s needs, you don’t have to have a rebuttal; you just figure out if you’re the right solution for them.”— April[08:18] ” I go by the platinum rule: treat others the way they want to be treated.— April[11:44] ” I learned it’s okay to keep asking questions until you figure out what’s actually behind what people are asking you to do.”— April[18:20] ” In a sea of vanilla ice cream, people on LinkedIn be pistachio.”[21:40] “People come to me and buy from me because they love the energy I bring and know I’ll tell them the truth.” — April[28:50] “ I don’t want to sell you a lie about who I am. I could convince you I’m somebody else, but wouldn’t that be a horrible bait and switch?” — April[38:32] “I have a lot of anxiety around not providing the sales experience I want to give to other people.” — April[40:20] ”What happens if I build this level of trust and then I hand it over to a team and they don’t care about the customer as much as I do? That keeps me up at night.”— AprilOur GuestApril Palmer is an Account Executive at Duckbill, where she helps companies fix their AWS bills by making them "smaller and less horrifying." She is also an adjunct professor at VCU, teaching students how to network and land jobs. With a career spanning founder roles, VP of Sales positions, and enterprise sales, April has made a name for herself by showing up exactly as she is in hot pink suits, bedazzled boots, and ...
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    49 min
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