There are only two kinds of people on earth today
Two kinds of people, no more I say.
Not the rich and the poor, for to know a man’s wealth
You must first know the state of his conscience and health,
Not the happy and sad, for in life’s passing years,
Each has his laughter and each has his tears.
No, the two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who lift and the people who lean.
In which class are you? Are you lifting the load
Of some overtaxed lifter who’s going down the road
Or are you a leaner who lets others share
Your portion of toil and labor and care?
– Ella Wheeler Wilcox
So, are you a lifter or a leaner in your BNI chapter? Take the tick test below and see how you do…
At one BNI I know, some people arrive early and help to set up the tables and chairs ahead of the meeting.
Some people always come late.
At one BNI I know, some people have prepared their 60 second ahead of time so they can listen to everybody else.
Some people hear nothing because they’re thinking about what they’re going to say.
At one BNI I know, some people regularly participate on the leadership team.
Some people have never been on the leadership team.
At one BNI I know, some people always initiate their dances.
Some people always wait for others to approach them.
At one BNI I know, some people RSVP when it comes to functions outside the meeting.
Some people have to be chased down for an answer.
At one BNI I know, some people actively work to spread their referral giving around.
Some people only give the routine ones to people in their tight knit hub.
At one BNI I know, some people sit in different places to spend time with different people.
Some people always sit in the same spot, week in and week out.
At one BNI I know, some people make a point of introducing themselves to the guests.
Some people never do.
Nobody is perfect. We can’t all do everything and be everything to everybody, but it’s the little things – now and then – that make the difference between a lifter and a leaner.
So, what are you?
