(Introduction – Hook)
Imagine two employees.
Employee A notices a major production bottleneck. Without being asked, she starts coming in at 5 a.m.—unpaid—to fix it. Operations smooth out. Customers are happier. She did it because she genuinely cared.
Employee B hears about this and scoffs: “Why are you stressing yourself? They’re not even paying you extra.”
Two people. Same job. Two completely different impacts on your business.
This is the fundamental divide between The Builders and The Spoilers. And understanding this could be the key to unlocking—or saving—your company’s growth.
The Real Story: A Tale of Two Spirits
A few years back, my business faced a real problem. A key juice recipe needed hours to settle, creating a daily production headache.
One team member, a true Builder, saw this not as “not my problem,” but as our problem. She volunteered to start her day at 5:00 a.m., solving the issue before anyone else arrived. No extra pay. No fanfare. Just initiative.
The result? Smoother operations and happier customers.
Then, her friend—a Spoiler—weighed in. Instead of praise, she offered poison: “Why bother? You’re not getting paid for it.”
And just like that, the cultural battle lines were drawn.
Meet Your Builders: The Engines of Your Growth
Builders are your competitive advantage. They are the ones who:
- Solve problems you didn’t even know you had.
- Act like owners, not just employees. They have a stake in the outcome.
- Focus on the “why,” not just the “what.” They understand that when the business wins, everyone wins.
- Inspire others through their positive action and commitment.
These are the people who make small businesses not just survive, but thrive.
Beware The Spoilers: The Silent Culture Killers
Spoilers don’t just refuse to go the extra mile—they actively work to dismantle the effort of those who do. They:
- Discourage initiative with comments like, “That’s not your job.”
- Create a culture of complacency and quiet quitting.
- Spread negativity that is often more contagious than any virus.
- Cost you more than their salary in lost morale and lost potential.
A single Spoiler can drain the energy of three Builders. Ignore them at your peril.
The Builder vs. Spoiler Effect: Your #1 Business Priority
Your business’s growth depends less on your marketing budget or your equipment, and more on the people inside your walls.
Are they lifting you up or dragging you down?
The scary truth? Spoilers are often “good enough” at their core tasks, so leaders ignore the subtle damage they cause—until it’s too late, and your best Builders start looking for the exit.
Your 3-Step Action Plan to Cultivate Builders and Eliminate Spoilers
1. Identify and Champion Your Builders
Notice who takes ownership. Who fixes problems without being asked? Appreciate them publicly, reward them fairly, and protect their spirit. They are your most valuable asset.
2. Confront and Contain the Spoilers
Don’t ignore the eye-rolls or the negative whispers. Address this behavior directly and immediately. Make it clear that a negative attitude that undermines the team is not acceptable.
3. Make the Tough Choice
This is the hardest part, but it’s non-negotiable. Sometimes, you must let a Spoiler go. Even if they are competent, their toxic attitude costs you more in culture and lost Builder morale than their output is worth.
Conclusion: You Can’t Afford Passengers
In a small business, every single seat matters. You’re either helping push the cart forward, or you’re a dead weight holding it back.
The clarity with which you separate Builders from Spoilers will determine the speed of your growth.
Unlock your true potential 