Fair-Play

One of the first lessons we ever learn.  Cheaters never win.  We're not kids anymore, but this rule lives with us every day.

I may be missing something, but I believe sales is the largest platform in which cheating vs. fair play may exist.  For sales people, sales is life. Sales is winning and losing.  A win might mean a nicer car, or it might mean they can simply provide another meal for their family that week.  It's not uncommon to win at all cost in sales.

I understand that cheating in athletics is widespread, by all parties involved.  And a win or loss might mean the coach losing their job, or a player getting drafted.  Stakes are high, therefore cheating is looming around.  But there are far more sales people providing with each win than there are athletes/coaches with jobs on the line.  In athletics, there are governing ordinances which may not eliminate cheating, but definitely reduces it.  In sales, as long as you're not breaking the law you're probably OK.  The medical industry now has strict anti-kickback laws which have helped, but most other industries have nothing.  What prevents a sales person from lying to earn your business?  What prevents a sales person from offering service and warranty's the company will never live up to?  What prevents a sales person from turning their head at foul-play when it benefits them?

The primary mediator of cheating vs. fair-play in everyday sales is our own individual moral characters.  Meanwhile, we have learned that we were lied to as kids, and cheaters can win.  Cheaters can win big houses and nice cars.  Cheaters can win your business.  As long as cheaters are OK being cheaters, they can win.

A successful sales person does not always equal a successful person.  A winner does not always equal a winner.  A loser does not always equal a loser.  Character always equals character.