A player, B player

Sep 7, 2017

At every startup I’ve help build, we’ve reiterated the need to hire “A Players,” but never actually articulated what exactly that meant. Here’s my attempt at an answer.

Hopefully, this helps articulate the difference between somebody who is adequate and somebody who is exceptional.

A Players contribute 5-10x their value. B Players contribute exactly what they’re paid for, sometimes less.
A Players are pulled towards learning, growth, hard work. B Players need to be pushed.
A Players crave mentorship. B Players crave management.
A Players are gratified by hard work. B Players never miss a happy hour.
A Players are like air support. B Players are like speed bumps.
A Players sometimes complain, but always offer solutions. B Players never take responsibility.
A Players do not want to work with B Players.
A Players feel physical pain when work is subpar. B Players make no distinction between “done” and “done well.”
A Players care about the people who consume their work. B Players view them as a burden.
A Players say “we.” B Players say “you,” “they,” and "I."
A Players hate carelessness. B Players hate the extra work that diligence requires.
A Players own. B Players blame.
A Players aspire to make everybody else’s job easier. B Players aspire for others to make their job easier.
A Players offer alternatives. B Players can only explain why it won't work.
A Players give a shit. B Players can't hide their apathy.

Oh, and one more: A Players will drop a comment and share what would make this list better :)