By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The global sales and leadership community has been thrown into excitement following the remarkable rise of Rajiv Sharma, who has secured the 3rd position in the 2026 global rankings for sales, leadership, and coaching.

Sharma’s latest achievement marks a significant leap from his 6th-place ranking in 2025, underscoring a rapid ascent that has captured the attention of industry leaders worldwide.

The rankings, released annually by Global Gurus—an international body that recognises the top 30 sales professionals across the globe—are widely regarded as one of the most credible benchmarks in the industry.

In the 2026 rankings, Sharma stands just behind Grant Cardone, the New York Times bestselling author who retained the top spot, and Jordan Belfort, a globally recognised sales consultant who placed second. Sharma’s rise into this elite circle signals a shift in the global sales landscape, as emerging voices continue to challenge long-established figures.

A globally acclaimed public speaker, Sharma is known for applying Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) principles to business strategy, sales performance, and leadership development. His innovative approach has earned him widespread recognition among entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and professionals seeking practical, results-driven strategies.

As Director of NLPLimited.com, Sharma developed the widely acclaimed MARK Model—an acronym for Mindset, Action, Repetition, and Knowledge. The framework has been credited with transforming the performance of hundreds of thousands of professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide and has been featured in leading international publications, including Forbes and BusinessDay.

With a career spanning over two decades, Sharma has trained more than 500,000 individuals across 45 countries. His expertise covers sales, business strategy development and execution, as well as customer acquisition and retention—areas critical to organisational growth in today’s competitive environment.
Industry observers attribute Sharma’s rapid rise to his ability to blend psychological insight with practical business strategies.

His seminars, which focus on mindset, self-esteem, goal-setting, and creativity, are known for delivering both immediate impact and long-term transformation.

Beyond corporate training, Sharma has also played a pivotal role in mentoring global trainers, coaches, and consultants.

Each year, he equips hundreds of professionals with proprietary tools and techniques designed to enhance mindset, drive execution, and build sustainable success habits.

Analysts say Sharma’s climb to the third position is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of evolving trends in global sales leadership—where adaptability, innovation, and human psychology are becoming increasingly central to success.

With momentum firmly on his side, many now believe that Rajiv Sharma’s journey to the very top may only just be beginning.