Lifers vs. Loafers: Why Type of Employee Are You?

There are two types of employees that you want in your company, Lifers and Loafers.

Lifers are the people that join a company and work there for the rest of their lives. They are important because they are the workhorses behind the organization. They are action people, probably not the real “idea” people, but instead the people that take ideas and implement. They know the most about the company because they have been there the longest.

Loafers are the people that join your company, make a huge impact but inevitably leave after a year or two, like a good pair of loafers. They are important because they drive innovation, inject creativity, and most importantly prevent stagnation.

Lifers tend to get set in their ways, they start to resent the very job they came on board to do. Likewise, Loafers tend to come in with wild ideas that may be too progressive and Lifers can serve as a check & balance to that regard. Lifers and Loafers have a tendency to clash, mainly because Loafers are always trying to change the way things are done while Lifers have settled into a process.

They are both vital to the success of a company, which, (if any) are you?