As we approach the final stages of the “sales hero’s journey,” Carlos Rosales, director of Consultores Neurosales and a specialist in business and sales management, joins us to explain the third-to-last and third-to-last stages of the twelve that make up this journey.
The reward is gaining authority, not just a contract
“After the ultimate test comes the reward. In B2B sales, this reward can take the form of a closed deal, but it doesn’t always happen that way. In many cases, it appears in less visible, yet much more valuable, ways for the salesperson’s professional development.”
-It can be the explicit trust of a client who recognizes the value of the conversation. It can be direct access to the true decision-makers in the process. Or it can manifest as the recognition that a question or approach changed the way the problem is understood. This reward isn’t measured solely in revenue or signed contracts.
“The salesperson gains authority. They begin to be perceived as someone who contributes sound judgment and perspective, not just as someone who answers requests or sends proposals. This authority isn’t imposed or demanded. It’s built conversation by conversation, especially in the uncomfortable moments that others prefer to avoid.”
-Internal perception also changes. The salesperson trusts their own judgment more and external formulas or rigid scripts less. They understand that they don’t need to force every opportunity to demonstrate value. They learn to let go of processes that aren’t progressing and focus on those where they can truly help make better decisions.
“This stage reinforces the change initiated at the beginning of the journey. It confirms that selling with clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable, fosters healthier relationships and more aligned processes. Not all sales close, but those that do tend to be more solid, with less friction and fewer surprises later on.”
The reward also manifests itself over time. Clients who contact you again. More qualified recommendations. Conversations that start from a different level of trust. The salesperson stops competing solely on price or speed and begins to compete on understanding and focus.
“In B2B sales, this accumulated authority becomes a real advantage. It reduces reliance on aggressive tactics and allows for building a more stable position. The salesperson no longer needs to constantly prove their value, because it becomes evident in the way they conduct conversations.”
The reward is a clear sign that the chosen path makes sense and that selling differently is not only possible, but sustainable in the long term.
The road back: Making learning a system
“After the reward, many assume the journey is over. In B2B sales, the opposite is true. The real challenge begins when you have to return to the day-to-day grind and maintain what you’ve learned without the adrenaline rush of a recent close or the immediate validation of success. That’s where you determine if the change was profound or just momentary.”
The road back represents that moment when the salesperson applies the new approach in less ideal contexts. New accounts, new contacts, and less room for maneuver. It’s no longer about a special opportunity or a particularly favorable situation, but about making learning a habit. About going from the exception to the norm, even when the environment isn’t supportive.
“The road back represents that moment when the salesperson applies the new approach in less ideal contexts. New accounts, new contacts, and less room for maneuver. It’s no longer about a special opportunity or a particularly favorable situation, but about making learning a habit. About going from the exception to the norm, even when the environment isn’t favorable.”
“The road back” represents that moment when the salesperson applies the new approach in less than ideal contexts. “Herein lies a dangerous temptation: to relax. To think that a good sale validates the entire process and that there’s no need to review anything else. But in B2B, what isn’t systematized quickly fades away. The salesperson who evolves revisits their questions, reviews how they opened conversations, analyzes their initial meetings, and observes more closely how they are measuring the actual progress of each opportunity.”
-At this stage, the focus shifts from closing a sale to repeating good decisions. Lessons learned are documented, criteria are refined, and previously overlooked patterns are identified. The salesperson begins to recognize early signs of stagnation and takes action before the problem grows, becomes chronic, or irreversible.
“The path back also involves managing internal expectations. Explaining why some opportunities are discarded sooner, why not all prospects qualify, and why the quality of conversations matters more than the volume of activity. It’s not always a comfortable conversation, but it’s necessary to sustain change without regressing or reverting to old shortcuts.”
-This step consolidates sales maturity. The salesperson stops depending on isolated moments and begins to build consistency. They no longer sell better based on inspiration or intuition, but rather on structure. Learning becomes a system, and the system becomes a solid foundation for growth without reverting to autopilot.
About the author Carlos Rosales
Carlos Rosales is a postgraduate professor at several universities in Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Guatemala. He is the author of the books “People Buy People,” “People Buy Leaders,” and “Epic Sales Blunders,” with over 90,000 copies sold. He trains sales professionals throughout Latin America and is a high-impact speaker and mentor.
He has been recognized by LinkedIn as one of the Top Voices in Latin America and by GOIntegro as one of the Top 12 HR Influencers in Colombia.
He is currently the director of Consultores Neurosales, a training and human development company with a presence throughout Latin America.
(Main reference image source: Raychan on Unsplash)
Follow our news on Google! For current, interesting, and accurate information, click here to see all the content on Bitfinance.news. You can also find us on X/Twitter and Instagram
