Women in Sales: The Stats Speak for Themselves

Sales has long been male-dominated. Walk into most sales leadership meetings and you’ll notice a distinct imbalance - but does that actually make sense anymore?

The data suggests otherwise.

Women make up less than 30% of all sales roles and just 20% of sales leadership positions (Harvard Business Review, citing Gartner benchmarks). Yet, research shows they outperform men by 11% in quota attainment (Gong.io, via Mailshake).

On top of that, clients consistently report a stronger sense of trust and collaboration when working with female sales professionals (Forbes).

So why isn’t the industry shifting faster?

A Different Approach That Works

Studies from Gallup, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review highlight that the best salespeople aren’t pushy closers. They act as consultants, guiding the customer through decisions.

Women often approach sales this way naturally - focusing on relationships, listening and trust over aggressive pitching. And guess what? That’s exactly what works.

The Competitive Advantage You Could Be Missing

If your sales team lacks gender diversity, you may be missing out on both performance and stronger client relationships. Encouraging more women into sales roles isn’t just about equity - it’s a business advantage.

The Takeaway

The stats are clear: women in sales consistently exceed quotas, build trust, and align with what today’s buyers actually want. The question is, why hasn’t the industry caught up?

Want to partner with a professional saleswoman? Contact us to learn more.