Which one are you?

I've worked in various different roles in my time and have learnt that we will normally fit into one of three categories.

Below expectation: People in this group are a pain to work with. They will not even do the minimum expected of them. They will often turn up to work late, take advantage when it comes to sick days (e.g. even the slightest headache will be enough for them to call up and say they are not coming in), they need to be pushed all the time to get any work done, if you give something to them, you never trust that it will be done and so need to chase them up constantly. You can't help wondering whether you would be better off without these people 'working' with you. You try to be patient, you try to invest time and effort into them but to no avail. They just don't get it. They won't budge. Normally, this group doesn't last long anywhere, and then they turn around and blame everyone else for their failures.

Does what is expected: You can't really fault this group because they do exactly what is expected of them. They come to work on time, and they also leave dead on time too. Whatever you ask them to do, they do it, exactly as you have asked, nothing more, nothing less. It's good to have them around. It helps. But you know that if something unexpected turns up and you need some urgent help, or need them after hours, they probably won't be available. Sometimes, you get frustrated as you know they could acheive more with a little extra effort, but that rarely happens.

Exceed expectations: These people are full of surprises. They frequently go beyond your expecatations. They don't just do what you ask them to do, but they find ways of doing it cheaper, faster, better, etc. If you leave something in their hands, you can even forget about it because they won't. They will make sure it's done and on your desk even before you need it. And they don't do these things because they're trying to impress you or to get a promotion. They do it because they have a passion for what they are doing. They take pride in their work and won't settle for the norm.

I have to say that working with people in this last group is wonderful. You love being around them and listening to what they have to say. You want to make sure that they were rewarded for their efforts, and so will contact the Personnel department and ask what can be done for them - a bonus, a pay rise, something... It's not that you dislike the people that fit into the other groups, but it's just not the same...

Apply these examples to any area of your life and it's the same thing. If we exceed expectations, great things will always happen to us...