Take what I call “A” players. These employees are hungry for results, impatient for promotions, willing to sacrifice life for work and it’s meaning in helping them identify who they are as individuals.
Then there are the “B” players – loyal, dedicated, focused on helping others succeed – preferring to shed the spotlight on someone other than themselves.
They are the “worker bees” who rarely, if ever, make personal demands. “B” players are balanced – an enigma to “A” players, who truly do not understand them. As a result, “B” players and their values are frequently overlooked. Their contributions are too often minimized, and they can easily leave others confused. Hiring managers routinely pass on them, primarily because they perform so poorly in interviews. But, remember – they don’t like the spotlight. They are, however, the foundation of an organization’s productivity. Highly developed listening skills naturally make them the sounding board for others’ issues and concerns. As a result of their caring nature, they easily become the behind-the-scenes counselors and coaches. Unfortunately, many “B” players are mistaken as disengaged – most often the result of an “A” players’ perceptions.
Here are a few distinguishing characteristics of the two:
| A Players: | B Players: |
| Task oriented | Relationship oriented |
| Caring and taking | Caring and giving |
| Work to get it done | Work to get it done right |
| Want things to happen now | Enjoy seeing things happen |
| Set high goals and change them | Set achievable goals |
| Must win the game | Likes playing the game |
| Need to lead | Likes to follow |
| Compete | Contribute |
| Approach aggressively | Approach cautiously |
The significant difference between “B” players and disengaged workers is their heart. ”B” workers truly care about their co-workers, company and customers. They are mentally present – in contrast to disengaged workers who are more self-focused and often mentally absent.
Which category do your people fall into? Are you adjusting your management style to both groups?
