logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
32m 19s

Jiu-Jitsu Selling: How to Flow with Resi...

Eric Anderton
About this episode

Sales isn’t about brute force—it’s about strategy, adaptability, and control. Just like in jiu-jitsu, the best salespeople don’t fight resistance head-on; they flow with it, turning objections into opportunities. In this episode of Construction Genius, Sean Ginsburg breaks down how to apply combat sports principles to high-ticket construction sales. From mindset to execution, this conversation will help you close more deals, build stronger relationships, and dominate your market.

🔑 Key Takeaways

🥋 Position Before Submission: Controlling the Sale

  • The best closers don’t chase deals—they control conversations by asking the right questions.

  • High-ticket sales require patience and positioning—just like setting up a submission in jiu-jitsu.

  • If you don’t control the negotiation, you will get submitted.

💪 Handling Rejection Like a Fighter

  • Expect resistance—just like in training, you’re going to get “choked out” before you learn how to win.

  • Repeated rejection isn’t failure; it’s feedback. Train, drill, and refine your approach.

  • Objections are a sign of interest, not rejection. Lean into them and use them to strengthen your pitch.

♟️ Sales Is Chess, Not Checkers

  • Selling a construction project is a long-term game—every move must be strategic.

  • Follow-up is the ultimate weapon—80% of sales happen between the 5th and 12th contact.

  • The best salespeople own their industry—they don’t just pitch; they educate, advise, and lead.

🛠️ The 7 Non-Negotiables for Closing a Deal 1️⃣ Decision makers in the room—don’t waste time with people who can’t say “yes.” 2️⃣ They have the money—qualify your prospects upfront. 3️⃣ They believe in the product—if they don’t, your pitch needs work. 4️⃣ They trust you—conviction and credibility close deals. 5️⃣ They’re confident in your company—show them you can deliver. 6️⃣ A clear written offer—remove ambiguity. 7️⃣ Urgency to buy—without urgency, deals stall indefinitely.

🚀 Mastering the Art of the Close

  • Salespeople kill deals, not prospects. If a deal isn’t closing, look in the mirror.

  • Most salespeople hear objections and panic. The best slow down, ask deeper questions, and uncover the real issue.

  • Every sales conversation is a series of moves—just like rolling in jiu-jitsu, you need to anticipate and counter with precision.

📈 The 3 Daily Habits of Elite Salespeople 1️⃣ Train like a fighter—role-play, rehearse, and refine your craft every day. 2️⃣ Build an unstoppable pipeline—if your pipeline is full, you’ll never be desperate. 3️⃣ Follow up like your career depends on it—because it does.

🔥 Your Next Step Apply these principles for the next 12 months, and watch your sales numbers transform. It’s not about being slick—it’s about being strategic.

 

🔗 Connect with Sean Ginsburg 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sean.ginsburg/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanginsburg/

 

 

Resources to Help You Win in Construction

📖 Construction Genius Book – No B.S., practical, hands-on leadership, strategy, sales, and marketing advice for construction companies. Click this link to buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership/dp/B0BHTRDY1T/

🎯 The Shift: Move from Project Builder to People Leader – Master the leadership skills you need to succeed in construction. Click this link to learn more and enroll: https://theshift.constructiongenius.com/

☎️ Book a 10-Minute Call with Eric Anderton – If you want to discuss how I can help you coach your leaders, let’s connect. Book a 10-minute conversation here: https://10minutes.youcanbook.me/

🎧 Subscribe & Share If this episode hit home, share it with your sales team. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more construction leaders find Construction Genius!

Up next
Aug 19
Hire, Train, Retain: Proven Construction Hiring & Retention Strategies
Struggling to find—and keep—the right people in your construction business? You’re not alone. In today’s episode of Construction Genius, Eric sits down with Mike, creator of the XP3 Talent System, to unpack a proven, end-to-end process for hiring, onboarding, and retaining top ta ... Show More
23m 54s
Aug 12
The Window of Tolerance: Managing Your Nervous System Under Pressure
Leadership development can take two distinct types: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal growth targets on adding new skills, knowledge, and competencies broadening what a leader can do. Vertical development, on the other hand, alters how a leader thinks, perceives, and responds. ... Show More
37m 55s
Aug 5
Mastering Strategic Shifts & Elite Project Management in Construction - Antonia Botero Returns
Welcome back to another powerhouse episode of Construction Genius! Today, we welcome back industry expert and owner of MADD Project, Antonia Botero. Antonia returns to provide crucial insights on two vital topics for every construction leader: Strategic Adaptation and Project Man ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Three Eternal Truths For B2B Sales Success That Most Sellers Avoid | Carson Heady - 1854
There are going to be good days and bad days in this industry. You shouldn’t let the negative moments make you avoid the steps you must take to become a top agent. The road to success is paved with resilience, strategic prospecting, and relentless determination. I’m excited to sh ... Show More
23m 11s
Jun 5
Sales Training // Jab Your Prospects, Flip The Script, Control the Sale // Learn How on The Sales Podcast with Wes Schaeffer, The Sales Whisperer®
#12WeeksToPeak #salestraining #SelfImprovement I'm going solo today to start year 13 of The Sales Podcast, episode 718.I updated an old blog post about "jabbing hard-charging" prospects to 'flip the script' in sales.Our job in sales is to disqualify prospects, engage them effecti ... Show More
28m 13s
Sep 2024
MBA2527 How to Make More Sales without Being Salesy
Tired of feeling pushy or awkward when trying to make a sale? Wish you could close deals without sounding desperate or salesy? You’re in the right place! Today’s episode will change how you approach sales forever. Omar shares game-changing strategies that let you sell with integr ... Show More
24m 54s
May 13
I Tested 100 Sales Persuasion Tactics — This One Works EVERY Time | Andy Elliott
REACH OUT TO ME HERE: https://elliott247.com/contactandy?el...Learn How to Persuade ANYONE in Sales and take control of the conversation. Learn advanced persuasion tactics with Andy Elliott to close more deals, convert tough prospects, and master sales conversations. Perfect for ... Show More
18m 19s
Jul 30
Why Most Salespeople Stay Average (And How to Break Out) with Armand Farrokh | Ep 382
If you want to stop chasing prospects and start closing with authority, this episode is your blueprint. I sat down with Armand Farrokh, founder of 30 Minutes to President’s Club the #1 sales podcast in the world and we broke down how top 1% sellers diagnose deeper problems, disma ... Show More
48m 56s
Apr 2025
630: Marcus Sheridan - How To Build Trust, Drive Sales, and Earn Endless Customers
Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire 1 person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world have the hustle ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 27
5 Game-Changing Sales Insights from Q2 2025
The second quarter of 2025 delivered some incredible conversations on the Sales Gravy podcast. From discipline strategies that separate winners from wannabes to the psychology of selling that most reps completely miss, here are the five most powerful insights that can transform y ... Show More
18m 28s
May 27
The Death of the Decision Maker: How Buyer Behavior is Reshaping Sales
Bill and Bryan continue their deep dive into evolving buyer behavior with some eye-opening insights that challenge conventional sales wisdom. In this episode, they tackle the myth of "the decision maker." They explore how buying by committee has become the new normal and why your ... Show More
18m 45s
Nov 2024
Master the Art of Selling: Top Strategies from Sales Negotiation Experts
Want to share your thoughts?Fill out our listener formRequest A Customized Workshop For Your Company Ready to elevate your sales game? This highlight reel brings together the best insights from top sales experts to help you close deals with confidence and finesse. Featuring Kim O ... Show More
24m 45s
Jun 20
Mastering the 3 Deadliest Sales Objections | Andy Elliott
Andy’s Elite 1 on 1 ROLE PLAY SALES COACH where you can master any objection any closing scenario for any industry: https://elliott247.com/free-30-smIn this throwback video, Andy & Guest speaker Eric Cline go over the TOP TOUGHEST objections that most sales people face on a day t ... Show More
28m 8s