Let the Adults Talk: Changing the “Me Me Me” Vibe…on Purpose
Thu Feb 05 2026
Pressure rises fastest when everyone wants it their way.
In sales, leadership, and life, tension shows up the moment conversations stop being adult-to-adult and start turning into power plays. When one side needs to win, dominate, or control, progress stalls and pressure takes over.
In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, talks with Sandler trainer and Ruby Group partner Tom Thon about what “adult conversations” really look like in sales. They talk about emotional attachment, equal business stature, and how tools like upfront contracts can reveal whether real partnership is possible.
If the goal is to create clarity, respect, and momentum under pressure, then this episode is for you.
Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida
Key Takeaways:
-Pressure increases when conversations become “me vs. you”
-Buyers and sellers both contribute to immature dynamics
-Emotional attachment changes how sellers communicate
-Respect creates equal business stature
-Upfront contracts set clarity, not control
-It’s okay—and healthy—to hear “no”
-Strong pipelines reduce desperate behavior
——————-
Helpful Links:
Tom Thon, Partner, Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/
Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/
Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/
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Pressure rises fastest when everyone wants it their way. In sales, leadership, and life, tension shows up the moment conversations stop being adult-to-adult and start turning into power plays. When one side needs to win, dominate, or control, progress stalls and pressure takes over. In this episode of Purpose Under Pressure, host Bryan Lefelhoc, founder of Bryan Media Strategies, talks with Sandler trainer and Ruby Group partner Tom Thon about what “adult conversations” really look like in sales. They talk about emotional attachment, equal business stature, and how tools like upfront contracts can reveal whether real partnership is possible. If the goal is to create clarity, respect, and momentum under pressure, then this episode is for you. Purpose Under Pressure is brought to you in partnership with Sandler by the Ruby Group, serving sales professionals and sales organizations nationwide from their locations in Akron and Columbus, Ohio, in Capital Region, New York, and in Jacksonville, Florida Key Takeaways: -Pressure increases when conversations become “me vs. you” -Buyers and sellers both contribute to immature dynamics -Emotional attachment changes how sellers communicate -Respect creates equal business stature -Upfront contracts set clarity, not control -It’s okay—and healthy—to hear “no” -Strong pipelines reduce desperate behavior ——————- Helpful Links: Tom Thon, Partner, Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/ Sandler by the Ruby Group: https://go.sandler.com/therubygroup/ Bryan Lefelhoc, Owner, Bryan Media Strategies: https://www.bryanmediastrategies.com/