On this episode of the Sales Gravy Podcast, Jeb Blount Jr. sits down with Founder and Sales Leader Advisor, Nigel Green, to discuss his approach to hiring elite salespeople by using his four rules.  Nigel teaches us that the only skill a sales leader should have is the ability to hire elite salespeople. Elite salespeople don’t find us, we have to go find them.  Key Takeaways Hiring Challenges: Many VPs of sales and CEOs find hiring salespeople to be one of their biggest challenges, as they strive to maximize and optimize their current talent pool. Importance of Training: Sales leaders should ensure that their sales teams have access to necessary training resources, and platforms like Sales Gravy can be valuable for continuous learning. Scouting vs. Tryouts: Unlike traditional hiring methods, scouting for elite salespeople involves actively recruiting top talent rather than waiting for applicants, akin to sports scouting. Non-Obvious Qualities: Hiring managers should look for non-obvious qualities in candidates that indicate potential for elite performance, rather than just obvious traits like hard work and prospecting skills. Prospecting for Talent: Sales leaders should prospect for new hires much like they prospect for new business, using networking, customer referrals, and tools like LinkedIn to identify top talent. Four Rules for Hiring Elite Salespeople: Elite salespeople do not apply to job postings. They are the stars and should be treated accordingly. They often require customized compensation plans that may exceed standard budgets. They typically do not already work for your company and require active recruitment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZnVk40pmmE The Importance of Hiring Elite Salespeople If you're in a leadership role within a sales organization, you probably know that hiring the right salespeople can be one of the biggest challenges. The need to hire top-notch salespeople is critical. It’s not just about filling a position; it's about finding those who can truly excel and drive your business forward. Nigel Green emphasizes that hiring the right people is the only skill that really matters for sales leaders. Without this skill, even the best sales strategies and training programs won't lead to the results you want. Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail One common mistake is relying on traditional hiring methods like posting a job and waiting for applications. The problem with this approach is that elite salespeople are not actively looking for new jobs. They’re usually too busy being successful in their current roles. This means you have to be proactive in finding and recruiting them. Simply waiting for the best candidates to come to you might result in missed opportunities. The Importance of Scouting Your Sales Team Think of hiring elite salespeople like scouting for a sports team. Just as a football scout looks beyond physical attributes to find exceptional players, sales leaders need to look beyond resumes and job applications. Elite salespeople are often not in the job market; they are too busy focussing on their current roles. This is why a scouting approach is necessary. Instead of waiting for applications, you should actively seek out potential candidates and evaluate their performance in real-world scenarios. How to Scout for Elite Salespeople - Network with Your Top Performers: Ask your top sales reps who they know in the industry. High-performing salespeople often network with others who are also top performers. Their recommendations can lead you to potential candidates who may not be actively looking for a new job. - Leverage Your Customers: Your customers interact with many salespeople in their daily lives.