EPISODE · Mar 16, 2026 · 41 MIN
Building Trust in Sales - Lessons from Clay Steel
from Becoming Better with StartupExperts · host Jesse Freese
In this episode of Becoming Better, Jesse sits down with Clay Steele from HiBob for a candid conversation about trust, authenticity, and what it really means to build relationships in sales.Clay shares the personal experiences that shaped his approach to connection — from teaching English in rural Thailand to fostering dogs to learning from his mother that real success is measured by impact on other people’s lives.Together, he and Jesse explore why so few buyers fully trust sales reps, how great sellers earn credibility, and what both buyers and vendors can do to run a better process.They also discuss:- How authenticity shows up under pressure- Why honesty matters more than hype- What separates a strong HR buyer from a weak one- How to give and receive feedback in a sales process- The questions HR leaders should ask when evaluating technology partners- Why great sales is really about helping people make the right decision — even when it doesn’t benefit you directlyThis conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply human — a strong listen for anyone who works in partnerships, HR tech, or trust-based selling.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Becoming Better, Jesse sits down with Clay Steele from HiBob for a candid conversation about trust, authenticity, and what it really means to build relationships in sales.Clay shares the personal experiences that shaped his approach to connection — from teaching English in rural Thailand to fostering dogs to learning from his mother that real success is measured by impact on other people’s lives.Together, he and Jesse explore why so few buyers fully trust sales reps, how great sellers earn credibility, and what both buyers and vendors can do to run a better process.They also discuss:- How authenticity shows up under pressure- Why honesty matters more than hype- What separates a strong HR buyer from a weak one- How to give and receive feedback in a sales process- The questions HR leaders should ask when evaluating technology partners- Why great sales is really about helping people make the right decision — even when it doesn’t benefit you directlyThis conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply human — a strong listen for anyone who works in partnerships, HR tech, or trust-based selling.
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Building Trust in Sales - Lessons from Clay Steel
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