4 most common reasons why salespeople quit
Adéla Mrázková
6/6/2025
Sales
Loading...
Why Salespeople Leave
According to a survey by Startupjobs.cz from autumn 2021, only 20% of salespeople weren’t looking for a new job — because they were satisfied in their current one. Most respondents were open to new opportunities, and some were actively searching.
If you don’t want to lose your sales team, focus on what’s bothering them and what might be pushing them away. That way, you can offer the kind of conditions that will make them want to stay.
Here are the most common reasons why salespeople leave:
1. The Company Doesn’t Value Them
One of the main reasons salespeople quit, according to the Sales Love blog by Map My Customers, is that they don’t feel appreciated. Salary, commissions, and performance bonuses matter — but so does feeling that their role is truly valued by leadership. Knowing their work has meaning and impact is increasingly important to many employees.
This goes hand-in-hand with healthy company culture. People spend more time at work than anywhere else, and they want to feel good there. Salespeople need support from both leadership and colleagues, especially when things aren’t going well. They also need to feel that their needs and opinions matter. If they don’t, it’s a clear signal for them to leave.
2. They’re Overwhelmed with Non-Sales Tasks
Admin work is part of a salesperson’s job — no one expects to just go from meeting to meeting. But when they’re overloaded with tasks that take them away from selling and earning commissions, frustration builds up — and often ends with them leaving.
According to an article on Forbes, salespeople spend up to 65% of their time on non-sales activities. These include scheduling meetings, manually writing notes, reporting to managers, and other tasks that could easily be automated.
Quality tools — like a CRM — can make a big difference in this case. They handle many routine tasks for the salesperson and help keep track of notes and deadlines, allowing them to fully focus their attention on selling.
3. Lack of Growth Opportunities
People need to feel motivated — especially salespeople, who often thrive in fast-paced, competitive environments. If they’re stuck doing the same tasks over and over without any sign of growth, their motivation and productivity start to drop.
Beyond offering new opportunities, it’s essential to invest in continuous learning. That starts with solid onboarding in both sales and product knowledge, followed by ongoing development of the skills they need to succeed. Give them the chance to attend seminars, workshops, conferences, and connect with others in the field — where they can gain valuable insights and experience.
4. They’re Given Unrealistic Targets
Be careful not to let growth and challenges turn into unattainable goals — nothing kills motivation faster. If a salesperson can’t meet their quotas despite their best efforts, it’s a fast track to burnout and resignation. According to the Employee Retention Report, 31% of employees who feel overworked and overwhelmed with constant tasks eventually decide to leave for another job.
We’re circling back to the first point: don’t treat your salespeople as money-making machines. Don’t overlook them — take an interest in their needs. Motivate and support them whenever they need it.
How to Attract Great Salespeople
High turnover can sometimes stem from hiring the wrong people. To avoid that, check out our hub for sales managers — it’s packed with tips on how to attract top talent, how to spot the right fit during interviews, how to ensure a smooth onboarding process, and how to build a strong, high-performing team.
Adel gained experience in e-commerce and SaaS companies as a content-focused brand manager. She now uses this overlap in product marketing, where she connects what CRM can do with what customers need to hear - in a clear and easy to understand way.
Sales tips & tricks in your inbox
A dose of sales knowledge, tricks, and CRM best practices. Sing up now!
