CTCI Technology

Sales Account Executive

Bean Vault Coffee

Being a small business owner requires a combination of skills, including business acumen, marketing savvy, and customer service proficiency. Some of my responsibilities include managing finances, onboarding and supervising employees, as well as marketing our products and services. Providing excellent customer service and building relationships with our customer base is paramount.

Owning a small business can be rewarding, but it also comes with risks. As the owner, you have the freedom to set your own hours and be your own boss. However, there is also the risk of failure. Retail businesses are notoriously difficult to start and maintain, and many fail within the first few years. But the sense of pride you can have when you are successful will be immense. If you are thinking about starting a retail business, I encourage you to go for it. It is not easy, but it is worth it.

Here is a more detailed explanation of three important skills I use while operating my business:

•	Business acumen: Business acumen is the ability to understand and manage a business effectively. This includes understanding the financial aspects of a business, such as budgeting, forecasting, and accounting. It also includes understanding the legal and regulatory environment in which a business operates.
•	Marketing savvy: Marketing savvy is the ability to create and execute marketing strategies that will attract and retain customers. This includes understanding the target market, developing a marketing message, and creating and executing marketing campaigns.
•	Customer service skills: Customer service skills are the ability to provide excellent customer service and build relationships with customers. This includes being responsive to customer needs, resolving customer complaints, and going the extra mile to make customers happy.

Small Business Owner

City of Hoboken

As one of the Hoboken Police Department's law enforcement IT network administrators, I am responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of information technology (IT) systems and networks for our law enforcement agency.

This includes tasks such as:

•	Planning and designing IT systems and networks
•	Purchasing and installing IT hardware and software
•	Configuring and maintaining IT systems and networks
•	Providing technical support to users
•	Troubleshooting and resolving IT problems
•	Keeping up to date with the latest IT technologies
•	Implementing security controls
•	Managing user accounts and permissions
•	Monitoring IT systems for performance and security issues
•	Providing training to users on IT security

As an IT network administrator, I have a strong understanding of our information technology (IT) systems and networks. I am also able to work independently and as part of a team, while focusing on saving the department time and resources. We are confidential employees who handle confidential and sensitive information. 

The role of a law enforcement IT network administrator is challenging and rewarding. It requires my partner and I to use a combination of technical, problem-solving, and communication skills in an efficient and effective manner. I play a vital role in keeping my law enforcement agency safe and secure.

Police Sergeant & Information Technology Network Administrator

As a school resource officer (SRO), I was embedded within the Hoboken School System, working side-by-side with educators, students, their families, and the community at large. In addition to providing basic safety and security, our overarching intent was to generate lasting relationships and bonds with our community's youth, which could be leveraged to foster societal change in the way law enforcement is perceived.

The Hoboken Police Departments SRO program are sworn police officers who have received specialized training in working with children and youth. 

Our duties included:

•	Providing a safe and secure learning environment. This included patrolling the school grounds, responding to incidents, and investigating crimes.
•	Educating students about crime prevention and safety. As SROs, we instructed students about topics such as stranger danger, cyberbullying, and drug abuse.
•	We resolved conflicts by mediating disputes between students, staff, and parents. 

SROs play an important role in keeping our schools safe and providing a positive learning environment for all students.

School Resource Officer

As a senior patrol officer, I was often called upon to be a mentor to younger officers in order to develop them into effective members of the patrol staff. 

Some of our duties included:

•	Enforcing laws and ordinances
•	Responding to calls for service
•	Investigating crimes
•	Making arrests
•	Providing public safety information
•	Building relationships with the community

We were able to think quickly and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. The ability to handle stress, work long hours, and have mental toughness are essential skills for patrol officers. Patrol officers play an important role in keeping our communities safe, and they are essential to the law enforcement profession.

Senior Patrol Officer 

As a county-wide narcotics detective, I investigated drug-related crimes that occurred in multiple jurisdictions. I worked with several members of other law enforcement agencies under the leadership of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. Each municipality that sent a detective to this task force did so to pool resources and expertise, as well as to have the ability to use undercover operations and wiretaps to gather evidence and enforce Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) laws. Our greatest strength was the ability to work collaboratively with other law enforcement agencies and the public.

Some of our daily responsibilities included:

•	Investigating drug-related crimes, such as trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution
•	Conducting surveillance on suspected drug dealers and traffickers
•	Making arrests and seizures of drugs and drug paraphernalia
•	Interviewing witnesses and suspects
•	Preparing reports and testifying in court

We also worked to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse and to prevent drug use in our communities. We did this by conducting presentations at schools, community centers, and other venues. 

Being a county-wide narcotics detective was a challenging but rewarding experience. I was proud to be part of a team that was making a difference in our community by fighting drug trafficking and abuse.

Detective assigned to County Wide Narcotics Task Force    

Responsible for building relationships with the community and working to solve problems that affect the community. I attended community events, met with residents, and worked with local businesses to identify and address crime and social disorder. The Hoboken Police Department's Community Policing Officer unit was responsible for enforcing the law, but we performed this task in a way that was respectful of the community and that built trust and meaningful relationships between the police and the citizens of Hoboken.

Community Policing Officer 

As a Narcotics Detective in the unit, I played an important role in keeping our community safe from the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse. We were often called upon to work long hours and deal with dangerous situations, but we were committed to making a difference in our community.

We were tasked with 

•	Investigate drug-related crimes, such as trafficking, manufacturing, and distribution
•	Conduct surveillance on suspected drug dealers and traffickers
•	Making arrests and seizures of drugs and drug paraphernalia
•	Interviewing witnesses and suspects
•	Prepared reports and testified in court
•	Worked with other law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking
•	Educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse

Members of this unit possessed many skills we drew upon such as  

•	Excellent investigative skills
•	Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities 
•	Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•	Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•	Ability to handle stress and work long hours

Detective Vice / Narcotics  Squad

City of Hoboken Police Department 

I am a highly motivated and seasoned professional with a proven track record in law enforcement, small business project management, and sales. My background as a Former Police Sergeant has equipped me with strong leadership skills that inspire and empower others to reach their full potential. I am mission-driven, dedicated, and thrive in team environments where collaboration and excellence are paramount.

As a Sales Executive, I leverage my expertise to drive sales growth and cultivate lasting customer relationships. My approach is rooted in integrity, positivity, and empathy, ensuring that I meet and exceed my goals.

As a customer-focused small business owner, I understand the critical importance of delivering exceptional customer service. Creating a positive customer experience is the cornerstone of building loyalty and generating repeat business. My team and I are committed to engaging with our customers daily, ensuring their satisfaction and continued support.

I am passionate about what I do and bring a strong work ethic and relentless drive to every challenge I undertake.

Justin L DePascale

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

$20k Monthly Brain Based Sales System Without Chasing the "Yes"

You know the feeling:
😳 Your brain lights up with “What if they think I’m pushy?” the second you open a DM.
😬 You’d rather post and pray the right people find you than risk being ghosted.
😅 You tell yourself that if you were really good, clients would just show up.

You don’t want to fake connection just to pitch.
You want sales that feels human. Real conversations, not pressure tactics.

You’re not bad at sales.
Your brain is just protecting you.

The amygdala flags rejection as danger.
Your prefrontal cortex freezes.
And boom hesitation, overthinking, silence.

That’s where my work comes in.
I teach the Neuroscience of No-Pressure Sales so you can sell with calm confidence instead of fear.

No scripts. No manipulation.
Just science, psychology, and simple tools to retrain your nervous system so selling feels natural again.

When your brain is relaxed, your authenticity returns.
You stop pitching and start connecting.
Outreach stops feeling like an intrusion and starts feeling like service.

This is sales made easy for coaches who hate selling.

✨ Ways to get started with me:

✅ If you're a coach DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a business owner DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a sales leader DM me "Butter"
✅ Attend my next workshop for FREE BRAIN BASED SALES SECRETS. https://forms.gle/HvTRDEZEuu7bgQEF8
✅ Subscribe to the Be Like Butter Bugle: Weekly brain hacks for resilience and influence. https://synaptic-solutions.kit.com/newsletter

Personal interests: 
- Captain ⛵️ 
- Recovering Sugar Addict 🍭 
- Trash TV consumer 🗑️

Sales Coach | Toxic Boss Coach | Neuroscience Coach | Executive Coach | Master Behavioral Strategist | Speaker | Advisor | Expert | 7 figures | Virtual Speaking | Sales Performance Brain Hacker | Mindset Coach I Corporate Trainer I Influence I Key Note Speaker

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Your answers are already in your head.

You just have to slow down long enough to hear them.

Your brain holds ideas you have not discovered yet.
But it cannot reveal them when you never pause.
Creativity needs space.
Insight needs quiet.

Most people overwork their minds.
But the brain solves problems when you stop trying.
Silence activates deeper networks.
Boredom lets ideas rise to the surface.

Here are 3 ways to access the answers inside you 👇
1️⃣ Give your brain boredom time
✔️ Take short breaks without your phone
 Boredom activates the default mode network
 This is where creativity lives

2️⃣ Use quiet as a tool
✔️ Sit still for a few minutes
 Quiet reduces noise in the prefrontal cortex
 Your thoughts get clearer and sharper

3️⃣ Let your mind wander
✔️ Go for a slow walk with no agenda
 Wandering boosts pattern recognition
 Your brain connects ideas without force

You are not stuck.
Your mind just needs room to speak.
When you rest it, it reveals what you need.
The answers show up when the noise drops.

P.S. When is the last time you surprised yourself?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

Video Credit: Unknown

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➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based insights
♻️ Repost if your best ideas hit you in the quiet moments

I used to shrink parts of myself to fit into corporate.

It quietly drained the life out of my ideas (and me).

At the time, I thought success required self-erasure.
I hit every goal on the board.
But I felt empty.

 🧠 Promotions
 🧠 Pay raises
 🧠 Prestige

None of it mattered.
My spark was gone.
And so was my creativity.

Have you ever noticed how your brain invents ideas
When you’re not even trying?

Your imagination lights up your neural networks
Like a synchronized light show.

Brain imaging reveals that
Most of your regions activate during visualization.

Here’s what fuels your imagination 👇

1/ Your Brain’s Creative Engine
 ↳ Default Mode Network turns on as the PFC steps back
 ↳ Memory blends with emotion to create new associations
 ↳ Your brain recombines patterns without limits

2/ The Moment Insight Strikes
 ↳ Gamma bursts peak during big realizations
 ↳ Hippocampus sends raw material to the DMN
 ↳ New pathways strengthen the more you play with ideas

3/ Your Creativity Enhancement Tools
 ↳ Take short intentional pauses for DMN activation
 ↳ Change scenes to trigger fresh circuitry
 ↳ Welcome boredom because it sparks innovation

Creativity is not magic.
It is a neural process you can train.
All you need is the space and permission to
Reconnect with curiosity and let your mind roam.
Don’t lose your spark chasing goals that dim you.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

PS: When does your imagination run wild?

Video Credit: Unknown

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♻️ Share to help others reclaim their creativity
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

The only true failure in life is quitting. 

Success is never a straight line. It certainly wasn't for me.

I've had many failures and setbacks along my path.
Layoffs.
Failed ventures.
Bad investments. 

Life is messy. 
Mess is a part of life.

Enjoy the messiness. 
And, your brain kinda likes it messy too.

Why your brain craves zigzag paths 🧠

(The science of why progress feels so messy) 👇

Your neural pathways aren't built in straight lines
And neither is your path to greatness
Here's what's really happening in your brain:

1️⃣ The Neural Reality
↳ Growth pathways form through trial and error
↳ Each "failure" strengthens neural connections
↳ Your brain requires contrast to learn

2️⃣ The Resilience Loop
↳ Setbacks activate problem-solving networks
↳ Stress actually enhances memory formation
↳ Recovery periods boost cognitive flexibility

3️⃣ The Growth Paradox
↳ Progress activates dopamine reward system
↳ Plateaus create new neural foundations
↳ Breakthroughs happen during apparent standstills

Your "messy" journey is how your brain is designed to learn and grow.

P.S. What was your latest messiness?

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Video Credit: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you're ready to embrace the zigzag
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based insights

Most people’s LinkedIn strategy: grind harder and hope

Mine: close clients while living life on my own schedule

I wandered through Spain
Slow mornings in Barcelona cafés
Afternoons coaching from Valencia’s old town
Sailing in Las Palmas, looking at the beautiful islands

I spent time exploring Japan
Sunrise work sessions in Gion, Kyoto 
Evenings wandering neon-lit Tokyo streets
A day trip to Nara where a deer bit my bootie

And Vietnam became a whole new chapter
Coconut coffee in Danang while answering DMs
Boat rides in Hoi An down the river between content bursts
Bana Hills calls with clients who thought it was a Zoom background

Why am I sharing this?
Because your brain says “that’s not for me”
Because it tells you to stay with what feels familiar
(It’s called comfort bias and it keeps you small)

If you want it, this life is closer than you think
Here’s how your brain makes it happen:

1/ The Belief Reset
 ↳ Your brain rejects anything that feels too far away
 ↳ Turn “that could never be me” into “why not me”
 ↳ Stack small wins until change feels normal

2/ The LinkedIn Advantage
 ↳ Understand what your ideal client looks for before they ever respond
 ↳ Post and message in ways that feel safe and human
 ↳ Use a system that works even while you’re wandering night markets

3 The Lifestyle Flywheel
 ↳ Every yes starts before the offer is made
 ↳ Match your approach to how the brain decides
 ↳ That’s how I work from rooftops, coastlines, temples, and train stations

The point?
It’s not about more work
It’s about the right work for the brain

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For one month, I will rebuild your entire LinkedIn system
- ICP Subtext Discovery
- LinkedIn Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- One month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement strategy that lifts your reach
- Exponential follower growth

I will only take ONE client.
 If you want me to build your system
the way I grew from 3k to 51k followers, DM me
"DFY Butter" and we’ll talk.

P.S. What country would be your first laptop escape?

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♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

The cleanest pipelines 

Hide the dirtiest truths.

A perfect dashboard is rarely a good sign.
It usually means the real story is happening off-screen.

Because deals don’t collapse in chaos.
They collapse quietly.

Reps smooth out the rough edges.
They phrase things “optimistically.”
They avoid saying the part that makes them look unsure.

So everything looks green
right up until the moment
it turns red.

• Struggle gets softened
• Risk gets delayed
• Doubt gets hidden
• And you hear the truth weeks too late

Bad quarters don’t come from one big miss.
They come from dozens of unspoken micro-problems
your CRM can’t detect
and your reps won’t say out loud.

SalesSage surfaces all of that in one pulse.

Ten minutes.
One check-in.
Full visibility.

You get:
• early emotional signals leading indicators miss
• patterns no dashboard can surface
• risk detection before the slip
• clarity without interrogation
• truth without friction

If you want fewer surprises
and more control over your number
start your free 14-day trial:

👉 https://salessage.co/

See the truth your team can’t articulate
before it costs you the quarter.

P.S. When’s the last time a “healthy” pipeline wasn’t so healthy?

⸻

♻️ Share if you’re tired of getting blindsided
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀  for brain based sales insights

One more trip around the sun.

It's been a doozy.

Every birthday, I pause and reflect on my last year.
This year was the year that stretched me in every direction.

I lost my favorite person (my Belley Bean)
That loss began an 8 month walkabout across the globe.

I found my spiritual side.
I found strength I didn't know I had.

I escaped 3 typhoons
I sailed the Mediterranean
I ate the most amazing food 
I chopped a bajillion bananas
I swam in the Blue Cave in Croatia
I cared for 140 elephants and 700 dogs
I got bit and headbutted by deer in Nara
I moved what felt like a million watermelons
I spoiled myself at a Japanese Onsen regularly
I calmly navigated a stalker sitch right up to my airplane 
I lost a toenail trying an advanced yoga post in Cabo San Lucas

I missed my family.
I missed my friends.

I grew.
I grew so much.
I think I grew more this year than any year before.

I admired the precision of Japanese trains.
I learned Thai people do not use chopsticks.
I went from a 3k to 50k community in 8 months.
I was stunned by the beauty of the Greek islands.
I made new friends in the most unexpected places.
I built a predictable, brain-based revenue machine.
I helped countless clients do the same for their businesses.

This year was not easy.
It was not predictable.
But it was deeply transformative.

Here is to another year of becoming.
Here is to letting go, leaning in, and staying open.

And if you are reading this…
Thank you for being part of my journey.

P.S. Today, I am Seattle celebrating!
Wanna celebrate with me?

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For One Month, I will revamp your LI system
- ICP Subtext Discovery 
- LI Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- 1 month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement that builds your reach

I will only take ONE client. 
If you want me to build your system,
the way I went from 3k to 50k followers, then DM me
"DFY Butter" and we'll chat.

-----------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

Lighting someone else's candle doesn't dim yours.

It just makes the room brighter.

Helping others shine doesn't dim your light.
Your brain actually glows brighter when you lift people up.

Most people think helping drains energy.
Neuroscience shows it does the opposite.
Your brain rewards contribution.
It expands your capacity, not shrinks it.

Here are 3 ways helping others strengthens your brain 👇
1️⃣ Your reward system lights up
✔️ Kindness boosts dopamine
 Dopamine lifts motivation and focus
 Your flame grows, not fades

2️⃣ Your connection circuits strengthen
✔️ Support boosts oxytocin
 Oxytocin builds trust and safety
 Your brain gets more resilient

3️⃣ Your creative networks open
✔️ Giving lowers stress chemicals
 Lower stress frees the prefrontal cortex
 Ideas flow easier when your heart is open

Lifting others isn't self sacrifice.
It's self expansion.
Your brain shines brighter
every time you help someone rise.

P.S. What's the last time someone lit your flame?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based insights
♻️ Repost to help someone light up today

Selling gets easier the moment you stop trying to sell.

Pressure never closes the deal. Safety does.

People think the only way to sell on LinkedIn is to push harder.

👀 More messages.
👀 More follow ups.
👀 More asking for the call.

But pressure is the fastest way to shut a buyer down.
When someone feels pushed, their brain shifts into protection mode.

✅ Amygdala fires.
✅ Trust drops.
✅ They stop listening.

You’re not getting ignored because your offer’s weak.
You’re getting ignored because the pressure makes people pull back.

Here’s what actually works:
The best sellers stay calm.
They make buyers feel understood early.
They create safety before they ever talk about the offer.

A regulated seller creates a regulated buyer.
It’s how the brain works.
Most people spiral here:
I don’t want to bug them.
But I need clients.
Maybe I should push a little.

And that energy leaks into your content and your DMs.
People can feel it instantly.

You’ll sell more when you stop trying to convince.
Curiosity beats pressure.
Clarity beats force.
Safety beats scripts.

When buyers feel safe, they move on their own.
If you want to close more without pushing,
Drop BUTTER and we’ll have a chat

P.S. When’s the last time selling felt easy for you?

-------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you’re done chasing
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain based sales psychology

Confidence isn’t a personality trait. 

It’s a regulated nervous system.

You can't sell if your brain is in survival mode.
But you can train your mind to stay calm under pressure.

High pressure flips your nervous system fast.
 😱 Your heart speeds up.
 😱 Your thoughts race.
 😱 Your brain shifts into threat.
 😱 That’s when deals slip and confidence drops.

It’s not about skill.
It’s about regulation.
Your brain needs clear signals to stay steady.

Here are 3 ways to keep your brain calm when things get tense:
✔️ Slow your exhale
 A long exhale activates your calm system.
 It tells your brain you're safe.
 Clear thinking returns fast.

✔️ Name what you feel
 A quick "I'm feeling pressure" helps the amygdala settle.
 Your brain relaxes when you name the feeling.

✔️ Ground your senses
 Notice one thing you see, hear, or feel.
 This pulls your brain out of threat mode.
 Your thinking brain comes back online.

When your brain stays regulated, you stay in control.
✅ You listen better.
✅ You ask smarter questions.
✅ You hold your power in the conversation.

Prospects feel your steadiness and trust you more.
Your mind isn't the enemy under pressure.
It just needs direction.

P.S. What's the hardest moment for you to stay calm in a call?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/ 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more brain based insights
♻️ Repost to help someone keep their calm today

The right people don’t try to rebuild you.

They remind you that you were never broken.

Your brain believes the room it’s in.
If people doubt you, your circuits tense.

Amygdala fires.
Cortisol rises.
Your ideas freeze.

Not because you lack skill.
Because your brain detects threat.
But the right room flips the switch.

Safety signals calm your system.
PFC comes back online.
Confidence returns.

Here are 3 steps to feel more at ease anywhere:
1/ Slow your exhale
 It lowers amygdala activity
 and restores clarity fast.

2/ Name the tension
 Labeling emotion reduces threat
 by calming limbic firing.

3/ Focus on one sense
 Sensory grounding pulls your brain
 out of fight and into presence.

You were never the problem.
The environment was.

Choose rooms where your brain can breathe.

P.S. Who was someone who fought for you in rooms you weren't in?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud 
(before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

------------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you’ve ever felt smaller than you are.
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based insight.

The real threat to your number isn't the market.

It's the things your reps never say.

Everyone talks about activity.
Everyone talks about coaching.
Everyone talks about pipeline discipline.

But nobody talks about the truth gap.

The space between what your reps say...
...and what is actually happening.

That gap is where bad quarters grow.

😱 The rep who says “all good” while confidence tanks.
😱 The pipeline that looks clean but is full of dead deals.
😱 The silent fear that turns into quiet quitting.

You see these problems too late.
You take the hit.
You carry the blame.

And you never get the early signal
that could have saved the quarter.

Your top threat is not performance.
It is blind spots.

Sales Sage closes them.
Ten minutes.
A simple pulse.

✅ Signals you will never see in a meeting.
✅ Patterns no CRM can surface.
✅ Emotional shifts that predict misses

BEFORE they show up in your number.

If you want to know what your team is really telling you
before it becomes a fire you have to put out

Take advantage of the 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud 
(before it blows up your number)

You will never manage your team the same way again.

P.S. The pic looks like a mix of me and Data from Star Trek, right?

----------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you are tired of surprise misses
 ➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based sales insights

"Get out of my head."

That is what I hear a LOT. 

It's also what my clients hear.
If you want to win in business
Learn to enter your ICP’s mind.

Not their surface answers.
Their unspoken thoughts.
The quiet stuff they never say out loud.

Your ICP is thinking about risk, safety, and reputation.
Their nervous system scans the world for certainty.
Your job is to understand the subtext they hide.

Here are 5 ways to read your ICP’s real inner world:

1️⃣ Listen for the pause
 When they hesitate, note the silence.
 Write down what fear that pause might signal.
 Ask one gentle question to explore it.

2️⃣ Name the problem better than they can
 Say the thing they hint at but avoid.
 Use words they have not said yet.
 Their brain relaxes when it feels understood.

3️⃣ Track their emotional patterns
 Notice where their tone shifts.
 Spot excitement, tension, or doubt.
 These shifts reveal what they truly value.

4️⃣ Map their failed attempts
 Ask what they have already tried.
 Look for frustration in their answers.
 This reveals hidden pain they rarely voice.

5️⃣ Reflect their vision back to them
 Repeat their goals in simple language.
 Show them the future they want.
 The brain trusts what it can picture clearly.

When you understand the thoughts they never say,
your ICP feels seen at a deeper level.
They think you can read their mind.
And trust becomes the easiest part of the sale.

P.S. When is the last time you thought someone was in your head?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to help others build resilient minds
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

The number one predictor of founder success?

Tenacity.

Most people think grit is personality.
It’s not.
It’s brain training.

The mACC is the part of your brain
that keeps you moving in hard moments.

It tracks effort.
It monitors progress.
It pushes you forward
when the path isn’t clear.

This region lights up
when you hit setbacks, surprises,
and unforeseen problems.

It decides if you push through or shut down.
That’s why tenacity is built, not born.

When life hits you sideways, 
the mACC scans the situation fast.

If it senses threat, you freeze.
If it senses capability, you act.
The difference is training.

Do this:
✅ Choose discomfort daily.
✅ Take a harder route once a day.
✅ Delay an easy reward.
✅ Finish one small task you avoided.

Each rep teaches your mACC: “I can handle this.”

Say this to yourself:
“I’ve done hard things before. I can do this too.”

This line calms the amygdala and boosts the mACC.

It shifts your brain from fear to capability.

Life never goes to plan.
 😶‍🌫️ Sales calls derail.
 😶‍🌫️ Projects hit walls.
 😶‍🌫️ Opportunities collapse fast.

The people who rise aren’t smarter.
They’re trained.

Their mACC fires strong.
Their brain holds steady.
They push when others pause.

Tenacity is a muscle.
The mACC is the gym.
Your daily reps decide
how far you can go.

Build it now so you don’t break later.
Just like Winkie the Pigeon:)

P.S. What’s one moment where tenacity saved you when everything went sideways?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
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Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

Video Credit: Unknown

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4 reasons your deal stalls

(and what to do to get it moving again)

1️⃣ Cognitive overload
Buyers aren’t ignoring you.
Their brain’s overwhelmed.
Inbox stress. Competing priorities.
PFC taxed. No room for new info.

Solution: Simplicity + clarity.
Lower their cognitive load first.

2️⃣ FOMU: Fear of messing up
It’s not the budget.
It’s the risk of being wrong.
Wrong call. Future pain. Career damage.
ACC fires. Danger signals spike.

Solution: Normalize hesitation.
Show the low-risk path.
Make them feel safe, not pressured.

3️⃣ Neurological alignment
Deals close when nervous systems sync.
Matching pace, language, and rhythm.
That’s what creates trust.
Miss the alignment and buyers pull back.

Solution: Listen deeper.
Reflect priorities. Mirror their world.
Create the feeling of “you get me.”

4️⃣ Clear path forward
If buyers can’t see the path,
their amygdala fills the gaps with danger.
Ambiguity = risk.
Risk stalls deals every time.

Solution: Structure + structure.
Short runway. Clear phases.
Small wins that feel safe.

Why all four matter
 - Overwhelm fuels FOMU.
 - FOMU breaks alignment.
 - Misalignment makes the path feel risky.
 - A vague path increases overwhelm.

Fix all four and everything shifts.
✅ Buyers settle.
✅ Their nervous system calms.
✅ They feel seen.
✅ Trust forms.

And the path becomes obvious.
That’s when you stop “selling”…
…and start facilitating clarity.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
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Most deals don’t die from budget.

They die from your buyer’s FOMU.

Fear of Messing Up kills more deals than price ever will.

If a prospect stalls, it’s not about money.
It’s not about timing.
It’s about fear.

FOMU freezes the nervous system.
The buyer pulls back to stay safe.
Not to avoid you.

The Silent Freeze

Buyers don’t vanish because they’re not interested.
They vanish because the choice feels dangerous.

Do this:
Check in with safety, not pressure.

Say this:
“Feeling unsure is normal.
Want to walk through what feels unclear?”

Why FOMU Helps You
Hesitation shows you where clarity is missing.
It’s not rejection.
It’s guidance.

Do this:
Treat hesitation as data.

Say this:
“Where does this feel unclear or risky right now?”

What The Brain Does
The amygdala fires at the risk of regret.
The prefrontal cortex fogs.
The insula recalls failure.
The ACC flags uncertainty.

They’re not blocking you.
They’re blocking pain.

Do this:
Name the feeling to lower threat.

Say this:
“It sounds like this feels heavy.
That’s completely normal.”

Safety Sells
Buyers calm when they feel attuned to.
Not pushed.
Not rushed.

Do this:
Slow down.
Mirror their tone.
Give space.
Stay curious.

Say this:
“I’m here to make this easy.
Take your time.”

FOMU On LinkedIn
Fear starts before the call.

They lurk on your posts.
They reread your content.
They check your profile often.
They click but don’t submit.

Not apathy.
Fear of choosing wrong.

Do this:
Use repeatable clarity cues.

Say this:
“Here’s the path from first call to final result.”

What FOMU Sounds Like
"It’s not the right time.”
“I need to think.”
“We’re reviewing budgets.”

These phrases mean one thing:
“I’m scared to mess this up.”

Do this:
Speak to the fear, not the words.

Say this:
“Want to walk through what feels risky here?”

Bottom Line
FOMU is not a block.
It’s an invitation.

When safety rises, clarity rises.
When clarity rises, trust rises.
When trust rises, decisions get easy.

Safety is the real close.

P.S. What’s the biggest deal you’ve seen stall to FOMU?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
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Overcome Your Buyer's FOMU

Persuasion isn’t pressure.

Persuasion is helping someone feel safe.

Here are 8 ethical persuasion swaps that actually work 👇

Most people try to persuade with logic or force.
But the brain listens to safety signals first.
When you protect autonomy and reduce threat,
People open up, not shut down.

Here are the 8 upgrades:

1️⃣ Regulate before you relate
❌ Don’t say: 
“Let me just explain why this makes sense.”

✅ Say this:
“Before we dive in, take a breath. I want this to feel clear.”

🔬Science:
 A calm nervous system sends safety cues.
 Their mirror neurons match your steadiness, lowering resistance.

2️⃣ Lead with curiosity
❌ Don’t say:
 “Here’s what you need to do.”

✅ Say this:
 “What feels hardest about this right now?”

🔬 Science:
 Curiosity keeps the amygdala quiet.
 Questions activate the prefrontal cortex, the part that evaluates options calmly.

3️⃣ Validate before redirecting
❌ Don’t say:
 “I understand, but…”

✅ Say this:
 “It makes sense you’d feel that way.”

🔬 Science:
 Validation reduces cortisol.
 It signals “You’re safe to express hesitations,” which reopens trust pathways.

4️⃣ Protect autonomy
❌ Don’t say:
 “You should really move forward.”

✅ Say this:
 “Want to explore this together?”

🔬 Science:
Autonomy is a core human need.
When someone feels in control, dopamine rises and decision-making improves.

5️⃣ Reframe with clarity
❌ Don’t say:
 “You’re overthinking this.”

✅ Say this:
 “What might shift if this were already solved?”

🔬 Science:
Reframing widens cognitive perspective.
It moves the brain out of threat mode and into problem-solving mode.

6️⃣ Align intentions
❌ Don’t say:
 “I just want you to see my point.”

✅ Say this:
 “We both want a solution that actually works for you.”

🔬 Science:
Shared goals increase oxytocin.
Oxytocin boosts collaboration and reduces defensiveness.

7️⃣ Match energy before guiding
❌ Don’t say:
 “Relax, it’s not a big deal.”

✅ Say this:
 “I hear how this feels for you. Let’s slow it down together.”

🔬Science:
Attunement regulates the nervous system.
The brain trusts what feels familiar before it trusts new direction.

8️⃣ Close with clarity, not pressure
❌ Don’t say:
 “So… are you ready or not?”

✅ Say this:
 “Here’s what the next step looks like. Does this feel right to you?”

🔬 Science:
Clear choices reduce cognitive load.
When the brain knows the path, uncertainty drops—and commitment rises.

Ethical persuasion is simple:
 🧠 Lower threat
 🧠 Raise clarity
 🧠 Protect autonomy

That’s how influence becomes trust.

P.S. Ever notice how pressure makes you want to run?

My workshops are open again.
Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

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♻️ Repost to help more people influence with integrity

True happiness doesn't come from getting paid.

It comes from within you. 

Your brain is designed for happiness 
You just need to know where to look.

Here's what neuroscience shows:

1️⃣ The Happiness Paradox
↳ The more you chase it, the more it escapes
↳ Dopamine loves the chase, not the catch
↳ Your brain gets stuck in "wanting" mode

2️⃣ The Internal Switch
↳ Happiness circuits activate from within
↳ Gratitude triggers natural serotonin
↳ Present-moment focus amplifies joy

3️⃣ The Neural Reset
↳ Stop the external validation loop
↳ Activate your brain's contentment center
↳ Build sustainable happiness patterns

Your brain already has everything it needs.
The secret isn't in getting more.
It's in awakening what's already there.

P.S. Do you meditate?
Video Credit: Steve Cutts

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
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Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
https://salessage.co/

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The pipelines that look strongest

are usually the ones seconds from breaking

The scariest risk in sales
isn’t the problem you see.
It’s the one hiding behind silence.

When a pipeline looks perfect,
 it’s rarely healthy.
 It’s rehearsed.
 It’s polished.
 It’s curated for your comfort.

Because deals don’t fall apart in the spotlight.
They fall apart in the shadows.

Reps soften the tension.
 They overstate buyer interest.
 They understate their own doubt.
 They hide the emotional signals
 that reveal what’s really happening.

So you get a pipeline that “looks fine”
 right up to the moment it implodes.

Here’s what’s actually happening:
• Concerns get disguised as “momentum”
 • Weak deals get propped up as “active”
 • Buyer anxiety gets labeled “timing issues”
 • Risk gets buried until it detonates

And none of it shows in your CRM.

Bad quarters aren’t created by bad reps.
They’re created by invisible friction your systems can’t catch
And your team doesn’t know how to voice.

That’s the truth gap.
SalesSage closes it in one pulse.

Ten minutes.
 One check-in.
 Full emotional visibility.

You get:
• early fear signals CRM fields can’t detect
• deal drift patterns long before they surface
• rep uncertainty before it becomes sandbagging
• clean visibility without awkward grilling
• honest data without forcing honesty

If you want fewer surprises and more control over your number,
Start your free 14-day trial:

👉 https://salessage.co/

See the truth hiding behind the updates before it kills your quarter.

P.S. When’s the last time a “bulletproof” pipeline shattered on you?
______________________________________________________

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You can’t fix your team

If they're too scared to tell you the truth

WHY REPS HIDE THE TRUTH
(And what their brain is trying to protect)

1️⃣ Amygdala fear
 It’s not laziness.
 It’s survival.
 Reps fear rejection, criticism,
 and the fallout of a wrong call.
 When the stakes feel high,
 the amygdala takes the wheel.

Solution:
 Psychological safety first.
 Normalize mistakes as data,
 not character flaws.

2️⃣ Identity protection
 Reps hide what threatens
 their self-image.
 Vulnerability feels risky.
 Competence feels fragile.
 So they mask.
 They perform.
 They protect themselves.

Solution:
 Separate worth from outcomes.
 Create space for real talk,
 not performance talk.

3️⃣ Overload blind spots
 Cognitive overload
 creates tunnel vision.
 Urgent tasks crowd out
 critical details.
 Reps don’t see the full picture
 not because they won’t,
 but because they can’t.

Solution:
 Clarify focus regularly.
 Streamline workflows.
 Help the brain breathe.

4️⃣ Buyer signal fog
 Ambiguous cues
 turn into risky assumptions.
 Reps misread signals,
 fill gaps with fear,
 and avoid telling the truth
 because the truth feels unclear.

Solution:
 Train structured questions.
 Build clear confirmation steps
 into every stage.

People don’t hide information to be difficult.
They hide it to stay safe.

Fix safety.
Fix identity.
Fix overload.
Fix clarity.

And honesty becomes effortless.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
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People who seem fearless aren’t certain.

They just learned to move while afraid.

Technology is moving fast than imagined.
New tools appear every week.
New systems shift every month.
New AI applications we never thought of.

If your brain isn't bendy, you fall behind quick.
Not because you lack talent.

But because your neural pathways favor comfort.
Most people resist change.
But your brain can be trained to welcome it.
Despite any fear you feel.

Neuroplasticity is the answer (for all of us). 
Here's how you can keep your brain bendy

1️⃣ Practice daily discomfort
✅ Try one thing that feels unfamiliar
 A new skill.
 A new feature.
 A new creative method.
 Novelty boosts dopamine and strengthens learning loops.

2️⃣ Reframe overwhelm into opportunity
✅ Ask what if this makes my work easier
 This simple shift reduces threat.
 A calm brain learns faster and adapts faster.

3️⃣ Use ten minute micro learning
✅ Study one small skill for ten minutes
 Explore a tool.
 Test a workflow.
 Short bursts build stronger neural pathways.

Thriving today isn't about knowing everything.
It's about staying flexible.
A bendy brain wins in a fast world.

P.S. What's the last thing you learned?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
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Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
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Video Credit: Unknown

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