Three Categories of People at Work

Overview

Every person in your organization falls into one of three categories based on their output and commitment. Levers multiply results, Pretenders create the appearance of output without substance, and Sleepers are disengaged but recoverable. Accurate diagnosis — not assumption — determines the right leadership response for each group.

Deployment Steps

1. 01

   List every direct report on paper.

2. 02

   For each person, answer: Does their presence make results better, static, or worse?

3. 03

   Assign each to Lever, Pretender, or Sleeper — resist hedging.

4. 04

   For each Lever: identify one new responsibility that expands their leverage.

5. 05

   For each Pretender: set a 30-day specific output expectation with a consequence.

6. 06

   For each Sleeper: have a candid conversation to surface root cause before assuming departure.