In a recent LinkedIn post, Ashleigh Early, a prominent sales leader and trainer, has laid out a series of strong opinions on the realities of modern sales, challenging conventional wisdom on compensation, training, and the fundamental purpose of sales.
Early, who trains sales leaders and founders, uses the post to highlight several core beliefs she holds firm on, framing them as essential tenets for ethical and effective sales practices. One of the most striking points made is about the pervasive issue of commission-only sales roles.
“Commission-only sales roles are abusive to the seller 99.9% of the time.”
This assertion underscores Early’s commitment to seller well-being, a theme that runs through several of her points. She argues that financial security is a prerequisite for optimal performance, stating unequivocally, “People perform better when they’re not worried about making rent.” This perspective suggests that a stable base salary, rather than a sole reliance on commission, is crucial for fostering a high-performing and less stressed sales team.
Rethinking Sales Training and Tools
Early also tackles the effectiveness of common sales training methods and tools. She expresses skepticism about the utility of power or parallel dialers for individuals new to cold calling, drawing an analogy to vehicular training.
“Power/Parallel Dialers are TERRIBLE for training people new to cold calling. (Think throwing a new driver in a Lamborghini. Start on the Civic y’all)”
As Ashleigh Early points out, the focus should be on foundational skills before introducing more complex or potentially overwhelming technologies. This approach emphasizes a gradual learning curve, ensuring new hires build confidence and competence.
The Role of RevOps and Enablement
Furthermore, Early highlights the significant impact of operational roles on sales performance. She posits that many companies are missing a key opportunity to boost efficiency and results by not investing sufficiently in roles like RevOps or Sales Enablement.
“95% of companies would see a 20-40% increase in sales performance if they added one more RevOps or Enablement role focused exclusively on removing busywork from Sales’s days,” Ashleigh Early claims. This suggests that streamlining processes and eliminating administrative burdens for the sales team can unlock substantial performance gains, allowing reps to focus more on selling.
Ethics and AI in Sales
Beyond operational and compensation strategies, Ashleigh Early delves into ethical considerations and the evolving role of AI in sales. She makes a firm stand on the importance of integrity, stating, “Work is political. I reserve the right to not work with people who deny basic human rights.” This ethical boundary reinforces her belief in aligning business practices with fundamental human values.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Early acknowledges its potential but cautions against overreliance, particularly in direct communication. “AI cannot write emails without human intervention on each email. (First drafts only y’all),” she states. This perspective positions AI as a helpful assistant for initial drafting rather than a fully autonomous communication tool, stressing the continued need for human oversight and personalization.
The Core Purpose of Sales
Ultimately, Ashleigh Early circles back to the fundamental purpose of sales. She concludes with a powerful reminder of the client-centric nature of the profession:
“Sales exists to help clients buy. Not to manipulate prospects into doing what we as sellers want them to do.”
This final point encapsulates Early’s philosophy: sales should be about facilitating customer needs and decisions, rather than employing high-pressure tactics. Her insights offer a comprehensive critique and a forward-looking vision for a more ethical, efficient, and effective sales landscape.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ashleigh Early on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 22, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →