The INSIDIOUS Power of REJECTION
Posted on 16 March 2019Rejection, resistance and ridicule are powerful.
So powerful that they can often, in many cases, enforce silence.
Imagine a new distributor, not yet with 100% belief in their opportunity or products and services, also perhaps without the necessary skill level or ‘armour-plating’ they will ultimately acquire, taking action, doing what they’re sponsor told them, not quite getting things right but trying their best, contacting people, trying to get what they have to offer in front of them, often using a ‘proven script’ that reads well on paper but, you know, deep down inside, they’re thinking, “This isn’t the way I usually speak...”
But repeating the script anyway, despite it not feeling quite right, because it’s what they’ve been told to do, stumbling over the words, knowing that if they feel awkward and weird, they probably sound awkward and weird too.
Their prospect identifies and zones in on the awkwardness and unusual behaviour and language immediately. They’re not really listening to the words, they’re wondering why there has been a sudden change in their friend or family member. Internal alarm bells start ringing.
“They rarely call me; what could be wrong?”
“Why are they speaking like this?”
“This isn’t how we usually speak with each other…”
I smell a sales pitch coming soon…best get my excuses in early…
“We’re really busy at the moment, we haven’t really got time to see you.”
“I’m out most nights with the kids.”
“We buy that stuff at the local store.”
“We’ve just renewed.”
“A friend did something like that and never made a bean.”
It doesn’t take too many experiences of rejection, resistance, or sometimes ridicule at the start of a new distributors network marketing journey, for them to stop altogether before they’ve even got started. It can often happen the first time. Think about it; if the result of prospecting someone (rejection) causes the distributor to feel ‘bad’ emotionally, then how likely are they to willingly put themselves back into a situation in which the outcome may well be the same?
If each time you attempt something it makes you feel bad, you’re not going to do it too many more times before you refrain from doing it altogether. In many cases, they might not even attempt it a 2nd time. I’m 100% certain we’ve lost new distributors after the very first attempt. Silenced forever.
Rejection has the power to enforce silence.
But we know how good our opportunities and products and services are. We know they can benefit a vast amount of people and help them improve their lives. Yet, because of a combination of misdirected enthusiasm, a desire to take immediate action, a disregard for the nuances of our relationships and lack of appreciation for the importance of remaining consistent and congruent with our usual behaviours, we unwittingly invite the very rejection and resistance we’re trying to avoid.
Rejection has the power to enforce silence.
In the 6th century BC, Pythagoras proffered the idea that the Earth was round. An idea that was rejected until Columbus sailed around the globe in 1492.
When Louis Pasteur floated the idea that disease was spread by germs in the 1850’s it was violently rejected by the medical community. Today this is accepted as a universal truth.
Harry Potter was offered to 12 different publishers before it was accepted.
"We wish you luck with your future career," said the boss of RSO records to Bono in 1979, after saying they weren't interested in the Dublin band's demo tape.
There are many more examples like those above. Where would we be if the likes of Pythagoras, Pasteur, and JK Rowling had allowed rejection to silence them?
Rejection has the power to enforce silence.
In our profession of Network Marketing we can bring many benefits to people and improve many lives simply by sharing information. Rejection will stop this happening, so we must mitigate rejection by becoming better at communication.
And the good news is, becoming better at communication very often means not changing. Simply continue to be the person you are and become more thoughtful about the relationships you have with people and the way you interact with them. And when approaching them with your business, do so in such a way that is in keeping with what you would usually say and do.