Whether you lead a church, business, sports team, or non-profit, there is always tension when leading talented people who produce but cause us much frustration. I recently heard an analogy that helps me with this issue.
First, there is a difference between frustrating and insubordination. Insubordination can never be tolerated and must be dealt with swiftly. Frustration is a different subject and these individuals should be handled in a unique manner.
Frustrating people can be put in three categories – Thoroughbreds, Clydesdales, and Plow Horses.
Thoroughbreds are race horses. When thoroughbreds are in their stalls before a race, they eat the other horses’ food. They buck and snarl when they are led to the track. They kick over buckets. It’s hard to get them into stalls. They are constantly disgruntled. But when the gates open and the race starts, the easily out-perform all their competitors.
This describes the person whose expense report is always wrong, who never turns in a report on time, who always colors outside the lines, who sometimes doesn’t play well with others, but is the company’s top performer. It could also describe the pastor, worship leader, or staff member who is socially disfunctional off the platform but absolutely electrifying on it. Thoroughbreds need guidelines, not rules. Be sure to properly identify these artists and remove the obstacles that may slow down and frustrate them.
Clydesdales are majestic and pretty. If you put them in a race, they would look good going to the gate. Not a hair would be out of place. Their appearance and wardrobe would be impeccable. But once the gate opens, they take a few steps out onto the track and say, “Look at me.”
This is the person who has a 10-page Powerpoint for everything. They tell you that your work is never done with excellence no matter how much you have produced. To look impressive to others they must continually communicate all that you are doing wrong and how much they are needed to solve the problem. They are the smartest, most spiritual person in the room but they lack redumentary people skills. Therefore, the number of races people want to run with them is limited.
If the Clydesdales in your organization are sowing discontent, you must get them off the track. They will tell you the race cannot go on without them but they are mistaken.
Plow horses are not the fastest but all they do is produce. With little to no fanfare, they are dependable and work well in a team environment. They don’t make movies about plow horses or name awards after them. They will never become millionaires like the thoroughbreds. But every great organization has a strong core of faithful, perservering individuals that provide stability and security to those in the organization.Â
Honor your plowhorses. Do not take them for granted which is so easy to do.
Do you recognize any Thoroughbreds, Clydesdales, and Plow Horses in your organization? I hope this post helps you deal with each better and maybe laugh a little.
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