144: DeJuan Brown: Building a Legacy Through Service and Consistent Authenticity

In the ever-evolving world of sales, the deluge of repetitive advice can often drown out the voices urging consistent authenticity and genuine impact.  

At Selling Local, we carve and navigate a different path, an incomparable mission.  

Our philosophy is simple…  

• return to your roots
• embrace creative methodologies
• build experiences that leave a lasting Legacy 

Building a Legacy in Sales  

The concept of Legacy in sales is not just about business transactions, it's about harmonizing professional achievements inside your personal values.   Sales veteran DeJuan Brown shares how he aims to mirror the Legacy he intends to lead and leave in life within’ his “sales” walk.  

 For him, it’s about human-centric service, continuous learning, and redemptive leadership – principles he will pass on to his children and professional peers alike.  

Human-Centric Leadership  

DeJuan emphasized true service extends beyond professional boundaries. Serving within a corporation like Microsoft means actively looking for ways to support colleagues and clients with where they are.  

The delineation between personal and professional life often doesn’t make sense, as service with and for others should be at the core of existence, 24/7.  

His philosophy resonates with many who seek to integrate consistent authenticity into their ‘careers’... into their professional lives, and beyond.    

Consistent Authenticity in Sales  

Consistent authenticity is an ongoing journey, especially in sales. Recounting his personal journey, DeJuan stresses the importance of staying true to oneself. Feedback from leaders early in his career urged him to bring his authentic self to work, reinforcing the value of individuality as a differentiator. For salespeople, the key is not just mimicking tasks but infusing personal strengths into every interaction. Embracing and leaning into the validation of you being hired for exactly who you are right now.  

The Importance of Serving Others  

In leadership, it’s vital to harness individual strengths and promote team synergy. DeJuan shares leadership is about understanding team members’ unique qualities and fostering an environment where every team member can excel. It’s not about codependency but a symbiotic relationship where the success of one promotes the success of all.  

Leadership and Team Building  

DeJuan believes deeply in the ethos of helping others achieve their goals as a pathway to personal and professional success. Drawing on Zig Ziglar’s philosophy: “you can have everything you want in life, as long as you help enough other people get what they want.”  DeJuan strives to lead by example, demonstrating that developing others is as rewarding as achieving personal milestones. This approach not only enriches the team but also nurtures future leaders.  

The Power of Service in Sales  

A service-driven mindset stands as a competitive advantage in sales. This philosophy flips traditional prospecting on its head, urging sales reps to approach clients as partners to serve, not just customers to sell to. DeJuan’s approach to this role is clear: focus on what clients need, and not just what you have to offer.  

Practical Tips for Salespeople  

DeJuan’s knowledge provides actionable advice for any, and everyone looking to embrace this mindset, this life journey.  Stressing the importance of shifting focus from sales scripts to spontaneous, genuine interactions with those you already serve, as well as those you aren’t yet sure you’re the best fit to help solve their challenges; a successful “sale” should result from genuine service and understanding.. not rigid scripting, and quota accumulation.