Billy Durant was regarded as one of the best salesmen ever. However, he was nowhere close to the stereotype image which that description brings to mind. He didn’t talk a lot–he listened… and listened a lot.
When he spoke, it was softly, not fast. Whatever he sold never needed a hard sell: Billy Durant only presented products which he believed would sell themselves.
Walter Chrysler spoke for thousands when he said, “Billy could coax a bird right out of a tree.”
It’s a constant challenge to reconcile the tsunami of Billy’s actions and achievements with his almost shy style, filled with self-effacing humor. Always spoken softly.
Everywhere Billy went, his self-effacing humor, quiet demeanor and soft voice made it easy for people to connect with him, to feel as if he had been their closest friend forever.
How did this non-threatening, self-effacing Billy achieve so much in such a short time
- It was not about the money or titles: Billy always made sure those on his team were generously rewarded and carried the important titles.
- He worked hard: 18-20 hour days were normal. For their generous rewards, those around him had to keep up with Billy’s frenetic pace.
- He was focused: Billy had no hobbies or other interests–nothing else mattered to him but his project du jour.
- He always had a plan and a vision: when everyone rode on horseback, Billy saw them changing to wheels. They did. Once he “got” automobiles, he foresaw millions owning one. He was derided, and hurt financially, when the “smart” people of his day considered that delusional, borderline insane.