--- title: How to Save a Failing Sales Meeting (and Earn Real Trust) description: Learn how to turn stalled sales meetings into trust-building opportunities with one powerful question, “Can we talk about that?” Discover how emotional intelligence drives stronger sales results. image: https://goodselling.sandler.com/hubfs/Why%20Listening%20is%20the%20Most%20Underrated%20Sales%20Skill-2.png --- [Skip to content](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust#main-content) McDonell Consulting Group, LLC I Baltimore, MD ![Inline Colored-3](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hubfs/Inline%20Colored-3.png "Inline Colored-3") - [Who We Serve](https://go.sandler.com/mcdonell/who-we-serve/) - [Solutions](https://go.sandler.com/mcdonell/solutions/) - [Blog](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/all) - [About Us](https://go.sandler.com/mcdonell/about-us/meet-our-team/) - [Contact Us](https://share.hsforms.com/1DjkZf99hTSe4Xb8qxy7qqQ42ctu?__hstc=46884856.01bea9a07e7e239828fb3e371811a4c6.1722876132942.1751937007502.1751938989337.12&__hssc=46884856.7.1751938989337&__hsfp=3923671493) [All posts](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/all) August 3, 2026 # How to Save a Failing Sales Meeting (and Earn Real Trust) ![Picture of McDonell Consulting Group](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SANDLER%20UpStep_Fresh_SM-1.png?width=50&name=SANDLER%20UpStep_Fresh_SM-1.png) By  [McDonell Consulting Group](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/author/mcdonell-consulting-group)  ·  1 minute read Blog Narration: How to Save a Failing Sales Meeting (and Earn Real Trust) 1:48 It's an all too familiar situation: the prospect stops making eye contact, the energy dips, and you can feel the deal slipping away... Most reps power through their pitch. The best ones stop and ask a simple question that changes everything, “Can we talk about that?” ### Why It Works: Emotional hesitation, not logical reasoning, is behind most lost sales. Yet many salespeople avoid addressing emotions because it feels uncomfortable or “off-script.” In reality, it’s the fastest way to rebuild connection and uncover what’s really holding things back. When you acknowledge what you sense, hesitation, frustration, or doubt, you’re sending a powerful message: *I care about getting this right, not just getting the deal.* ### The Modern Sales Reality: Buyers today have access to more information, options, and opinions than ever. What they don’t have is time or trust. That’s why emotional intelligence, paired with honest, human conversation, is your biggest competitive edge. If you’re not addressing how your prospect feels, you’re only solving half the problem. ### How to Use the “Can We Talk About That?” Tactic: - **Notice the shift.** Watch for body language, silence, or subtle disengagement. - **Ask permission.** “Can I ask you something? It seems like something’s on your mind, can we talk about that?” - **Stay neutral.** Don’t defend, just listen. - **Clarify and confirm.** “So what you’re saying is…” before offering solutions. - **Address, don’t avoid.** Bring issues into the open, then collaborate on next steps. The result? You turn uncertainty into clarity, and stalled deals into honest conversations that move forward. ### Key Takeaway: Ignoring emotional cues costs sales. Addressing them earns respect, trust, and sometimes, a second chance! [Good Selling, Great Leading! – The MCG Team](http://www.go.sandler.com/mcdonell) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/how-to-save-a-failing-sales-meeting-and-earn-real-trust) ## Related posts [![](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hubfs/winning%20sales%20strategies-1.png)](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/winning-sales-strategies-beyond-talent-alone) [sales training](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/tag/sales-training) ### [Winning Sales Strategies: Beyond Talent Alone](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/winning-sales-strategies-beyond-talent-alone) [![](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hubfs/Stop%20Chasing%20Sales%20Goals%20Your%20Clients%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Care%20About%20(1).png)](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/stop-chasing-sales-goals-your-clients-dont-care-about) [sales training](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/tag/sales-training) ### [Stop Chasing Sales Goals Your Clients Don’t Care About!](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/stop-chasing-sales-goals-your-clients-dont-care-about) [![](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hubfs/What%20Counts%20in%20Sales%20Prospecting%20Isn%E2%80%99t%20Always%20Countable.png)](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/what-counts-in-sales-prospecting-isnt-always-countable-balancing-quality-and-quantity-in-outbound-sales) [sales training](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/tag/sales-training) ### [What Counts in Sales Prospecting Isn’t Always Countable: Balancing Quality and Quantity in Outbound Sales](https://goodselling.sandler.com/blog/what-counts-in-sales-prospecting-isnt-always-countable-balancing-quality-and-quantity-in-outbound-sales) [![Long Stacked Line Colored-3](https://goodselling.sandler.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Long%20Stacked%20Line%20Colored-3.png?width=689&height=190&name=Long%20Stacked%20Line%20Colored-3.png "Long Stacked Line Colored-3")](https://www.mcdonell.sandler.com) Follow us on Social Media! 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