Builder/Protector Ratio: Are You a Builder or a Protector?

  • January 19, 2016
  • Posted by: HPI Admin
  • Category: Power Ideas
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In the second article of our Strategic Alignment Series, we examine the issue of Building/Protector ratios that exist in various stages of growth for your organization. CEO and Founder, Jerry Houston, challenges you to think whether you and your leadership team are builders or protectors, and what is appropriate at this stage in the business. Enjoy this week’s Power Idea.

Let’s start with some definitions:
Builders are:
  1. Fearless risk takers
  2. Aggressive in the development of the business
  3. Visionary
  4. Can work in a chaotic environment
  5. Are more concerned with doing and less with planning
Protectors are:
  1. Careful and cautious
  2. Analytical
  3. Steady, valuing proven methods
  4. Intuitive decision-maker
  5. Process-oriented
Which is more important? A builder mindset or a protector mindset…it depends. In the early stages of business, the builder ratio needs to be dramatically higher than protector. The ratio can be as high as 3 or 4 to 1. When you are building the business, it is necessary to take some risk. Try new approaches, “go where no man or woman has ever gone before.” In later stages, the equation shifts. Now it is time for deeper analysis before acting. There is more at stake. More employees, more customers, more assets, more liabilities.
As you look at yourself and your team, where do you stand? What do you think your builder/protector ratio is? Does it fit? Is it working?
Want some help? Call us for a free consultation on Stages of Growth today. Contact us at info@hpisolutions.com
Have a great week!
Jerry