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BDR CareerMindset & Team

Women in B2B Sales: Empathy, Directness & Myth-Busting

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In this episode

In this episode of Dialing Out — The OB2B Podcast, Dominka talks with Nina (Project Manager at OB2B) about the lived reality of women in B2B sales. From IT, logistics, and manufacturing where most decision-makers are still men, they unpack what actually helps: empathy, clear boundaries, and preparation.

You’ll hear where female strengths shine (detail-work, listening, patience), what’s just a stereotype, and a rapid “myth” game covering cold calls, emotions, CRM vs. gut feel, and whether closing can be learned. Practical, grounded, and no fluff.

Read time: 6 minutes

We discuss

  • Decision-maker landscape in IT, logistics & manufacturing (why it’s mostly male)
  • Where empathy and listening give you an edge (and where they don’t)
  • Project prep: details, pacing, and how women often set the tone
  • Cold calling: voice, patience, and persistence without pushiness
  • Boundaries vs. “people pleasing” — being kind and direct
  • Handling inappropriate client outreach professionally
  • Collaboration habits: asking colleagues for input early
  • Mothers in sales: flexibility, home office, and why sales can fit
  • Healthy competition without commission-heavy models
  • CRM notes that capture “how the call felt”
  • Myth-busting: “Women have it easier on the phone” and other tropes
  • Directness: why many women are more direct than assumed
  • “No interest” ≠ end of conversation — using patience to reopen
  • Closing is learnable (without manipulation)

Show Notes

The reality on the ground (DACH B2B)

Most decision-makers Nina speaks with are men, especially in IT/logistics/manufacturing. Inside teams, there’s often at least one woman who helps move things forward behind the scenes.

  • Decision-maker ≠ only gatekeeper; supportive women in the chain often accelerate deals.
  • Female presence in kick-offs can shift tone and trust, especially over time.
  • At OB2B, sales roles skew female — a “bubble” compared to the wider market.

Why empathy matters (and where it doesn’t)

Empathy and patience help understand needs faster and build rapport, but they’re not a silver bullet.

  • Listening well surfaces the “why” behind objections.
  • Balance warmth with clarity on goals and next steps.
  • Competence still wins — empathy amplifies, it doesn’t replace.

Project preparation: details & pacing

Women on the team often anchor the details and cadence during onboarding.

  • Early accuracy (lists, scripts, targeting) prevents downstream friction.
  • Direct, early feedback keeps momentum without sugarcoating.
  • Rapport matures into efficiency once roles and expectations settle.

Cold calls: voice, patience, persistence

Female voices can help on first contact, but outcomes hinge on skill and timing.

  • Patience beats pressure: give prospects time and re-approach thoughtfully.
  • “Luck” exists — right person, right day — but consistency creates more “luck.”
  • Persistence with respect: try again later rather than forcing it now.

Boundaries, “people pleasing,” and being direct

Kindness and directness can coexist; boundaries prevent burnout.

  • State goals and constraints clearly; avoid over-accommodating.
  • Use “positive–constructive–positive” (sandwich) for hard feedback.
  • Direct ≠ harsh; it saves time and earns respect.

Handling “private” outreach & staying professional

If a client crosses lines (e.g., private messages), keep it professional.

  • Ignore or deflect with humor; keep work channels for work.
  • Don’t let it define your value — bring conversations back to outcomes.
  • Teams should back each other up and set norms.

Mothers in sales & flexible setups

Sales can fit family life when remote and schedule-friendly.

  • Home office and async prep make delivery realistic.
  • Skill-based work (calls, meetings, follow-ups) adapts to life stages.
  • Many return stronger — negotiation at home sharpens work instincts.

Healthy competition without commission-heavy models

OB2B favors motivation without cut-throat commission culture.

  • Friendly sprints (e.g., call counts/hour) boost morale.
  • Team growth > internal rivalry; focus on sustainable pipelines.
  • Stability can increase retention, especially for parents.

CRM over “gut feel” (use both)

Gut feel is a data point — CRM is the system of record.

  • Log tone, energy, and rapport alongside facts.
  • “No interest” today may be “yes” in weeks — notes guide timing.
  • Handoffs improve when you capture how the call felt.

Myth-busting lightning round (7 myths)

  • “Women have it easier in cold calling” → False. It’s person, skill, and timing.
  • “Emotions don’t belong in sales” → Nuance: be human, not over-personal.
  • “No interest ends the conversation” → False. Explore why; try later.
  • “Gut feel replaces CRM” → False. Use both; CRM first.
  • “Empathy alone sells” → False. It helps; competence closes.
  • “Men are direct; women ramble” → Often the reverse; many women are crisply direct.
  • “Closing can’t be learned” → False. It’s a trainable, evolving skill.

Key takeaways

  1. For women in B2B sales, decision-makers are often male — progress accelerates through strong allies in the chain.
  2. Empathy + directness is a high-leverage combo — warmth with clear asks.
  3. Patience and timing often beat pressure in cold calling.
  4. Boundaries prevent “people pleasing” from derailing outcomes.
  5. Sales can fit family life — flexibility matters more than stereotypes.
  6. Healthy competition works without aggressive commission structures.
  7. CRM first, gut feel second — capture the human context in notes.
  8. Closing is learnable and improves with feedback and iteration.

Pull quotes

“Empathy amplifies results — it doesn’t replace competence.”
“Direct is kind. Say what you need, then move forward.”
“ ‘No interest’ today isn’t the end — it’s a note for better timing.”

Guest

Nina Debeljak — BDS, OB2B

Dominka Babić — COO, OB2B (Host)

FAQ

Do women have an inherent advantage on cold calls?

Not inherently. Outcomes depend on skill, timing, and preparation. A friendly voice might help at the margin, but consistency and competence drive meetings.

Should I suppress emotions in sales conversations?

Stay human but professional. Early on, keep it light and focused; with long-term partners, authenticity builds trust without oversharing.

How do I handle “no interest”?

Ask why, note context in your CRM, and set a respectful follow-up window. Patience plus timing often reopens the door.

Is closing a fixed talent?

No. It’s a trainable skill that improves through feedback, role-plays, and iteration — without needing manipulation.

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