Salary Takers vs. Salary Makers

There are two kinds of people you can have working for you. Those who are there for a job and those who are there for a career. Those that are with you only for a job fill a needed role, but they are not the people you should invest a lot of time on. Those you should invest your time and resources in are those who are with you because they are there for a career.

But even with that group, there are divisions. Those that care about the company and those that only care about themselves. According to John Maxwell the former are Salary Makers and the latter are Salary Takers.

Here is my adaptation of what Maxwell says of each:

Salary takers ask, “What will I receive?”
Salary makers ask, “What can I give?”

Salary takers ask what it will take to get by.
Salary makers say they’ll do whatever it takes to get it right.

Salary takers say, “It’s not my job.”
Salary makers say, “Whatever the job, I can help you.”

Salary takers believe someone else is always responsible.
Salary makers take responsibility.

Salary takers ask, “How can I look good?”
Salary makers ask, “How can the team look good?”

Salary takers ask, “Will it pass?”
Salary makers ask, “Is it my best?”

Salary takers believe the paycheck is the reason they work.
Salary makers believe the paycheck is a by-product of their work.

Salary takers ask, “Am I better off because I work here?”
Salary makers ask, “Is the team better off because I work here?

Salary takers say, “Pay me now. I’ll produce later.”
Salary makers say, “I’ll produce now. You can pay me later.”

There is nothing wrong with looking after oneself. In fact that is expected of each employee. But the best people to have around are those that truly believe the motto, “What is good for the company is good for me.”

Obviously that can’t be one sided…. the truly good companies realize that what is good for the employee is good for the company too. The right balance for both must be struck. Good employees are always looking after the best interest of the company–without being overly sacrificial of their own livelihood. At the same time, the company must look to fulfil the best interests of the employee within the constraints of sound business practices. That scenario creates a win-win for everyone!

True salary makers work for companies that look after their needs while also looking out for the needs of the company. Truly successful businesses work to build a team of salary makers rather than salary takers. Which are you?