How to Have the Best Employees (Collection)

5. Demand Contribution; Be Worthy of Receiving It

There’s a big difference between making an effort, even a heroic effort, and making a contribution. Yet even though they are different—and offer wildly different outcomes—the vast majority of organizations, executives, and managers regularly demand the wrong one. Instead of requiring contribution from the people they hire and pay, they opt for demanding effort, and the visible evidence of same, whether it be face time, volume of output, maximum activity, or even the healthy glow of perspiration. The problems for organizations arise because managers who focus on effort are likely to 1) characterize “high energy,” perpetual motion employees as “A” players, and 2) view those special talents who appear ...