--- title: An Epiphany for Salespeople description: Should you be a sales manager or a top producer? image: https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/hub/229131/file-220941263.jpg --- # [SELLING IN THE 21ST CENTURY](https://www.rickroberge.com/) [![header-sm-linkedin-blue](https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/file-465400397-png/images/header-sm-linkedin-blue.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickroberge) [![header-sm-twitter-blue](https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/file-465371692-png/images/header-sm-twitter-blue.png)](https://twitter.com/RainMakerMaker) [![header-sm-google-plus-red](https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/file-462412948-png/images/header-sm-google-plus-red.png)](https://plus.google.com/+RickRoberge/posts) [![header-sm-rss](https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/file-480298330-png/images/header-sm-rss.png)](https://www.rickroberge.com/rss.xml) # [Science for Sales Rock Stars](https://www.rickroberge.com/) ## [An Epiphany for Salespeople](https://www.rickroberge.com/an-epiphany-for-salespeople) ![](https://www.rickroberge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RR.jpg?width=35&height=35&name=RR.jpg) By [Rick Roberge](https://www.rickroberge.com/author/rick-roberge)   Jan 6, 2021, 11:11:45 PM As you may know, I've helped a few people get better at sales and I'm pleased to say that many of them have gone on to become very successful sales managers, directors, VPs and a few MDs and CEOs. I remember one time, one of my clients asked what I thought about them becoming a sales manager. I answered him, but before I share the answer, I'd like to set the stage. I wrote this article over a decade ago. [RainMaker Wanted?](https://therainmakermaker.com/2012/03/01/rainmaker-wanted/) A few years later came [How to be a Sales Rock Star in 2013](https://therainmakermaker.com/2012/12/24/how-to-be-a-sales-rock-star-in-2013/). Here's a [couple of rainmaker stories](https://www.rickroberge.com/effin-extremes) that may make you wonder what's possible in your world, but as you read on, you may realize why so few people become rainmakers or rock stars. [Is this your sales manager](https://www.rickroberge.com/proof-that-your-sales-quota-is-meaningless)? So, first, I'm not judging. I'm not suggesting the rock star path or the manager path and I'm not suggesting that your employer is doing anything that I wouldn't do if I had their job, but [OMG suggests that only 6% of salespeople are rock stars](https://www.objectivemanagement.com/underlying-science/). Think about it. If you owned a company, would you try to grow rock stars or would you allow your managers to manage mediocrity to attain the company goals? Moral of the story? If you want to be a rock star, it's on you. BTW, whenever a client asks me if they should consider becoming a sales manager, I always give the same answer. Are you willing to give up the glory and spotlight of being a top producer and help your subordinates earn their glory and spotlight? Thanks for reading. Fell free to share. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Want updates as they're published? #### Enter your email: BTW, do you have an idea or question that would make a good article? Would you like to write or co-author it? Either way, **[send me an email](mailto:therainmakermaker@gmail.com?Subject=Blog%20article/author%20idea)**. **[Rick Roberge](https://plus.google.com/116082120720832878924/posts?rel=author)** ## About this blog *This blog is for, by and about Sales Rock Stars, RainMakers, Entrepreneurs (and/or those that strive to be)* ## [Read My Articles on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/rickroberge) ## [About Rick](https://www.rickroberge.com/contact-me) **[The Original](http://therainmakermaker.com/)[RainMaker Maker Blog (pre-2012)](http://therainmakermaker.com/)** [**Remote Bookkeeping**](http://www.slcbookkeeping.com/blog/bid/116710/remote-bookkeeping-made-easy)[**Made Easy**](http://www.slcbookkeeping.com/blog/bid/116710/remote-bookkeeping-made-easy) [**Awesome Website Design**](https://www.inbounddesignstudio.com/contact/) Search RainMakers & Sales Rock Stars Search ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Month - [November 2025 (19)](https://www.rickroberge.com/archive/2025/11) - 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