Wake up call for sales leaders: If you don’t have enough saleswomen on your team, you’re at a disadvantage.

Women are just plain naturals at selling. Saleswomen have the skills and grit it takes to be top-tier performers because success in sales is about building and nurturing relationships. Women get that. We are hardwired to be nurturers, connectors, and collaborators—all traits that make for great salespeople.

Yet, many sales leaders are not hiring enough women in sales, or providing support and guidelines for their careers. Why? All things being equal (and they never are), we hire people who look and sound like us. And since most sales leaders are men, it’s natural to opt for a guy.

But successful sales organizations in the 21st century need to leverage the strengths of both genders—not just because it’s the right thing to do for women in sales, but because it’s what’s best for the business.

But Don’t Take My Word for It

We’ve all read stats about the pay gap between women and men, and few sales leaders—male or female—would argue that’s a good thing. But now DocSend proves that gender diversity on sales teams also has a huge impact on business.

Check out DocSend’s infographic, and the accompanying blog post, “Gender Diverse Sales Teams Close More Deals & Bring in More Revenue.”:

There You Have It

I’ve had countless salesmen tell me, “The best salespeople I know are women.” And now there’s plenty of data to prove it. Of course, there are many great male rainmakers out there too.

That’s why smart sales leaders want diverse teams, made up of talented men and women who bring different skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. That means hiring and promoting more women in sales and giving them the same opportunities as men.

So, how diverse is YOUR sales team?

Need Help Building a More Diverse Sales Organization?

My interactive presentation—“Big Deals and High Heels™: Why Women Are Naturals at Selling”—will help women at all levels understand the value of seeking out advice from mentors, stepping out of their comfort zones, and getting their voices heard. We’ll discuss the differences in how men and women’s brains are “wired” and what unique qualities make women rock stars at selling. The big takeaway: Sales leaders must help both sexes adjust their communication to be heard, understood, and get work done. (Click here to learn more.)