The Harsh Reality of Scaling: Not Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Table
You can tell C-players to model the right behaviors. You can encourage them to copy the habits of A-players. But at the end of the day, they will find their level and settle into it.
It took me 20 years to accept this reality: C-players don’t want to work with A-players. I used to believe they did—that they sought mentorship, guidance, and inspiration from those operating at a higher level. But the truth is, they want the results of an A-player, not the work ethic of one.
Why is this important?
The Myth of Lone Wolves
Many entrepreneurs think they can 10X their results by 10Xing their own effort. That’s a fallacy. Business is not a solo sport. There are no lone wolves in business—because a “lone wolf” is an oxymoron.
Wolves hunt, love, build, and grow in packs. The same is true for entrepreneurs. The idea that you can reach massive success alone is a dangerous illusion. Every thriving business, every scalable venture, is built on a team of A-players moving in sync.
People Find Their Level
Here’s the bottom line:
A-players want to work with A-players. They seek challenge, growth, and a culture of high expectations.
B-players like to work with B-players. They have potential, but need mentorship and leadership.
C-players will inevitably work with C-players. They may admire A-players, but they will gravitate toward their comfort zone.
You can tell C-players to model the right behaviors. You can encourage them to copy the habits of A-players. But at the end of the day, they will find their level and settle into it.
Scaling Requires an A-Player Attraction System
If you want to scale your business, you must build an A-player attraction system. The truth is, out of every 100 people you encounter, maybe 10 will be true A-players. They are the ones who will drive, lead, and build your company.
Your job is not to convince everyone to become an A-player. Your job is to:
Work with the A-players. Set the standard, build momentum, and surround yourself with excellence.
Mentor the B-players. They have the potential to level up if given the right guidance.
Let the C-players be. They may be happy with their station in life, and that’s okay.
Everyone is Invited, But Not Everyone Deserves
The hard truth is this: Not everyone is willing to do what it takes to build something great. You can create opportunities, provide resources, and extend an open hand—but not everyone will take it.
And that’s okay.
Your mission is to lead by example, attract the right people, and build with those who are ready.
The rest will find their level, and C their way out.
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The world around us wasn’t built by the exceptional. It was built by everyday people who were willing to do exceptional things. Let’s build taller buildings together.
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