ARE YOU A RAINMAKER? 

There's been a lot of discussion around our office lately around the topic of being a RAINMAKER. The term RAINMAKER is more strictly defined as one... specifically someone in sales, who consistently brings in large clients and significant streams of revenue.

Clearly this term is also used more loosely to describe those that seem to rise to the top, as opposed to those that settle for mediocrity. I've taken a few of hours this morning to run a comparison analysis... on the differences between a RAINMAKER and an AVERAGE EMPLOYEE. The following comparisons are based solely on my own experiences and observations.

A RAINMAKER: does whatever it takes to get the job done right & on time.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: settles for delays, poor performance and inferior standards due to justified obstacles and personal setbacks, and typically cloaks their laziness with the appearance of virtue.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: identifies problems.
A RAINMAKER: introduces solutions.

A RAINMAKER: measures success by the progress itself.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: measures success by an honest effort towards progress.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: says... "I hope we don't fail."
A RAINMAKER: says... "Failure is not an option."

A RAINMAKER: has a spirit of urgency, and says... "Let's get to it now."
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: has a spirit of hesitancy, and says... "There's always tomorrow."

A RAINMAKER: strives to "give" first, and "gain" later.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: wants to define "gain" first, and then decide whether to "give" later.

A RAINMAKER: learns and executes the goals & priorities of the company, over those of their own.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: ignorantly executes his personal goals and priorities first.

A RAINMAKER: takes leadership and initiative without being asked.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: waits for a directive, title or personal gain before acting.

A RAINMAKER: is passionate, enthusiastic, insatiably positive winner.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is defeated, un-energetic and chronically negative.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: sees the obstacles.
A RAINMAKER: sees the opportunity.

A RAINMAKER: constantly evaluates his performance, tactics and strategies for the purpose of improvement.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses to blindly walk through life, neglecting to evaluate... for the fear of discovering or acknowledging that he might be flawed.

A RAINMAKER: says... "We can!"
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: says... "Can we?" or "We can't!"

A RAINMAKER: can't wait to cross the finish line.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: can't wait for the whistle to blow, and the work day to end.

A RAINMAKER: offers no excuses, and takes full personal responsibility for his actions for his mistakes and losses.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: offers excuses, justifications, and takes little to no personal responsibility.

AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: takes more than he gives.
A RAINMAKER: gives more than he takes.

A RAINMAKER: inspires others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: meanders about virtually unnoticed.

A RAINMAKER: can seem to accomplish the impossible.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: will sometimes fail at that which is easily possible.

A RAINMAKER: effectively manages large sums of stress.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: can barely manage small to moderate sums of stress.

A RAINMAKER: sees the prize.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: sees the price.

A RAINMAKER: lives for tomorrow's successes.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses to relish in yesterday's victories and rest on their laurels.

A RAINMAKER: insists on having and being the very best.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: believes "the best" is unattainable.

A RAINMAKER: is an asset, and is sought after by others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is a liability, and is warned about to others.

A RAINMAKER: is a speeding blur, viewed by his competitors from behind.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: typically has his view impeded by the "Rainmakers" that are racing past, and that are in front of him.

A RAINMAKER: embraces challenges and overcomes.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is resentful and defeated by challenges.

A RAINMAKER: craves freedom, and a higher financial ceiling.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: craves financial security, and a higher guaranteed floor of income.

A RAINMAKER: embraces change.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is threatened by change.

A RAINMAKER: asks... "What can I do for my company?"
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: asks... "What can my company do for me?"

A RAINMAKER: chooses progress over pain.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: chooses comfort over progress.

A RAINMAKER: speaks with his actions.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: speaks with empty promises.

A RAINMAKER: serves his team and those around him.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: waits to be served by others.

A RAINMAKER: seeks wisdom and knowledge.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is intimidated by those more wise and knowledgeable than himself.

A RAINMAKER: leads others.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: is typically led by other "Rainmakers."

A RAINMAKER: measures themselves against the best, even when it hurts.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: inflates their self-worth & value, and personal accomplishments, due to insecurity... and the inability to see themselves as they actually are.

A RAINMAKER: will surround himself with others that are better, smarter & more talented than himself.
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: will surround himself with only those that are inferior.

A RAINMAKER: says... "I could do more."
AN AVERAGE EMPLOYEE: asks... "Haven't I done enough?"

source: http://www.onlyinhouston.org/en/art/?2098

Added on 01/31/2009

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