<p>In this episode of <em>Thoughts on Selling</em>, I sit down with someone I truly consider a “brother from another mother” — <strong>Lester Sidney</strong>.</p><p>If there’s a theme for this conversation, it’s this:</p><p>👉 <strong>Sales is human work. And humans run on purpose, energy, trust, and honesty.</strong></p><p>Lester discusses his 17-year tech sales career, a couple ofunexpected detours, and the journey that ultimately led him to rediscover his <em>why</em>: helping people see the potential insidethemselves that they can’t yet see. </p><p>What unfolds from there is one of the most honest, raw, and deeply human sales conversations we&#39;ve recorded.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about:</p><p>·      <strong>Finding purpose when life knocks you flat</strong>, including Lester’s battle with depression after leaving a company he helped build.</p><p>·   <strong>The Ikigai framework</strong> and how it helped him identify a deeper purpose rooted in mentoring and coaching.</p><p>·      <strong>Energy as a magnet </strong>— how the energy we project determines the people and opportunities we attract.</p><p>·       W<strong>hy giving beats taking</strong>, and how “pay it forward” moments shape who we become.</p><p>·       <strong>The sacred role of trust in sales</strong>, and why walking away from a deal can be the single biggest credibility builder you’ll ever have.</p><p>·       <strong>Extreme Ownership</strong> — and why real leaders take responsibility for <em>everything</em> their team does. (Yes, this comes with stories.)</p><p>·       <strong>Why vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s a sales superpower.</strong> Lester is candid about how being open unlocks deeper relationships with customers.</p><p>·       <strong>The compound effect</strong>, and why small improvements add up to big transformation — in fitness, in selling, and in life.</p><p>·       <strong>Raising kids with mindset</strong>, from eliminating the word <em>can’t</em>to teaching his son that mistakes are how we grow. </p><p>·       <strong>What Lester looks for when hiring sellers</strong> — and why <em>coachable </em>is the non-negotiable #1 trait.</p><p>This is an episode about selling, yes — but more importantly, it’sabout being human. It’s about showing up with authenticity, owning your story, doing the hard things, and leading with heart.</p><p>It’s one of my favorite episodes we’ve done. Give it a listen —and please tell me what resonates most with you!</p>