Pie Maker or Pie Taker

"Givers have to set limits because takers seldom do." Henry Ford

I had a great conversation with an old friend.  One of those catch up calls that was way overdue.

During the catch-up he was giving me a commentary on his current place of work and some of the challenges.  "The biggest problem" he said "is there are more pie takers than there are pie makers."

"OK, I'll bite, no pun intended" I said.  "What are pie takers and pie makers?"

He went on to explain that pie takers are those that sit around, rarely contribute, are highly critical of everything and everyone but always are there when the pie (project) is done and ready to be eaten (success claimed).  They are also the one's who most often complain because there wasn't more "pie" to go around.

The pie makers are the ones who dig in the hardest, perform most of the work, expect less of the credit and essentially believe that if you make enough pies everyone will have plenty to eat.

Thus, in a situation where there are more pie takers than pie makers over time the pie makers will figure out that no matter how hard they work at making pies that there will never be enough to go around.  So they'll do one of two things, switch to the taker side or go somewhere that values their pie making skills.

If you're an executive it's worth figuring out who are your makers and who are your takers.  If you're a maker then it's time to step up and follow Mr. Ford's advice about setting limits because takers will take.