To transition from practitioner to thought leader, you must codify your implicit knowledge into simple, teachable frameworks. Unlike rigid scripts, frameworks provide a flexible structure or "rails to run on" that allows individuals to adapt to specific situations while following a proven system.
Your best reps are often "unconsciously competent" and can't explain their own success. Before an SKO, leaders must help these individuals deconstruct their process and build a prescriptive presentation, translating their individual "art" into a replicable science for the entire sales team.
New SDRs get overwhelmed when forced to learn industry nuances first. A better approach is to prioritize mechanics (CRM, scripts), then knowledge (personas), and finally the 'art' of sales, which develops over time. This builds confidence and allows them to execute quickly while they learn.
Frameworks are not an innate way of thinking but a tool developed out of necessity. They arise when you must reteach or reuse a complex thought process so often that you create mental shorthand to avoid re-deriving the decision set every time. It's about crystallizing a process for scalability.
To increase the "memobility" of your ideas so they can spread without you, package them into concise frameworks, diagrams, and stories. This helps others grasp and re-transmit your concepts accurately, especially when you can connect a customer pain to a business problem.
Elevate yourself from a vendor to a linchpin by offering insights that reframe a client's challenges. When you provide a perspective or data they haven't considered, causing them to think differently because of you, you become an essential, irreplaceable resource they rely on for strategic guidance.
High achievers operate with a discipline of consistently getting their thoughts and experiences out of their head and into a shareable format. Whether an internal email, a LinkedIn post, or a video, they are constantly asking, "What do I know that needs to get out?" This practice scales their influence and solidifies their status as an expert.
When transitioning to a new industry, your lack of domain knowledge is secondary. Focus on your "superpower": the proven, repeatable process you use to deliver results. Articulate your ability to launch, rally teams, and solve problems, as these core skills are universally valuable.
True expertise in training is demonstrated by simplifying complex processes, not by showcasing complexity. Friedrich's Law states that while people tend to make simple things complex, genius lies in making complex concepts simple and accessible for others to execute successfully.
In your 40s, your greatest advantage is pattern recognition. Actively document and codify this wisdom into repeatable frameworks. This process not only deepens your own understanding but also transforms your personal experience into a scalable asset that can be taught to and leveraged by others.
Like Picasso mastering fundamental techniques before developing his style, elite salespeople develop their "art" only after mastering the "science"—the structure and process of selling. True artistry is built upon a foundation of discipline, not just natural talent.