Thoroughbred vs. Plow-Horse Employees

Both are essential, if assigned the right roles

By Daniel Abramson, HRSource

When building a high-performing team, companies face a critical choice: Should they hire candidates with exceptional “thoroughbred” qualities or those who are more steady, reliable and methodical — what I call “plow horses”? Both types of employee bring unique strengths to your business, and understanding these differences can be crucial in picking the right person for a specific role and to align with your company’s culture.

It’s important to note that neither thoroughbred or plow personalities are inherently “better” than the other. 

The key is recognizing that different strengths are required for different environments. Let’s explore the key distinctions between a thoroughbred employee — fast-paced, high-energy and goal-driven — and a measured and dependable plow-horse employee. We’ll examine their core traits, strengths and challenges and the environments in which they thrive.

1. Pace and Energy Levels

Thoroughbred Employee: Characterized by high energy and speed, thoroughbred employees thrive in fast-paced environments. They enjoy working quickly, thinking on their feet and meeting ambitious goals. These individuals are driven by results and tend to seek out challenges that help them maintain their momentum.

Plow Employee: Plow employees take a more measured approach. They prefer a steady, deliberate pace and are typically more cautious in their decision making. Their energy remains consistent, allowing them to work efficiently without the rush or pressure of fast-moving environments.

2. Risk-Taking vs. Caution

Thoroughbred Employee: Thoroughbreds are typically willing to take calculated risks, confident in their abilities and driven by the potential for reward. While this can foster innovation, it also comes with the possibility of making mistakes due to impulsiveness.

Plow Employee: Plow employees tend to avoid risks, and prefer careful planning and thorough research. Their methodical approach can lead to more predictable outcomes and a lower likelihood of mistakes, making them reliable even when the risks are higher.

3. Drive and Ambition

Thoroughbred Employee: Driven by career advancement, recognition and tangible rewards, thoroughbreds set lofty goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. Their ambition is a significant asset in roles that demand quick innovation, leadership and results-driven output.

Plow Employee: While plow employees may not chase rapid career growth or flashy promotions, they value stability, job security and a balanced work-life dynamic. Their focus is on doing their job well and maintaining a consistent, reliable presence in their roles.

4. Adaptability and Flexibility

Thoroughbred Employee: Adaptability is one of the hallmarks of thoroughbred-type individuals. They embrace change, excel in dynamic work environments and often thrive in roles that require switching gears and tackling new challenges quickly.

Plow Employee: In contrast, plow employees tend to prefer consistency and routine. They may struggle with sudden changes and disruptions, but excel in environments where expectations are stable and well-defined, performing best when tasks are predictable and constant.

5. Collaboration vs. Independence

Thoroughbred Employee: Thoroughbred employees are often independent workers who prefer taking the lead and meeting targets on their own terms. They may not always have the patience for consensus-building or slow-moving team dynamics, and prefer a management style that allows them to take initiative.

Plow Employee: Plow employees excel in collaborative settings where teamwork and communication are valued. They are team players who thrive in environments where ideas are shared, tasks are well-distributed and cooperation is key.

6. Approach to Problem-Solving

Thoroughbred Employee: Thoroughbreds are quick thinkers who favor fast, creative solutions. They are often ready to act decisively, even with limited information, and excel in situations requiring swift action. However, this quick decision making can sometimes lead to oversights or mistakes.

Plow Employee: Conversely, plow employees take a more measured, thoughtful approach to problem solving. They carefully analyze situations, weigh all possible outcomes and make decisions only after considering all factors. While this can slow the decision-making process, it is often the best approach for complex, long-term problems.

7. Resilience Under Pressure

Thoroughbred Employee: Thoroughbred employees thrive under pressure, driven by their competitive nature and desire to meet high expectations. They perform well in stressful situations, pushing their limits to achieve results. However, if pressure becomes overwhelming or if expectations are unmet, their resilience may be tested.

Plow Employee: While plow employees may not exhibit the same exuberance under pressure, they do remain calm and steady when challenges arise. Their ability to remain consistently productive in stressful situations, even though they don’t thrive on urgency, makes them reliable during tough times.

8. Ideal Roles

Thoroughbred Employee: These individuals excel in high-stakes jobs that demand quick thinking, adaptability and results-driven work. They are ideal candidates for positions in sales, leadership, entrepreneurship, product development and any other fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.

Plow Employee: Plow employees shine in roles that require consistency, attention to detail and a long-term focus. They are well-suited for positions in quality control, project management, customer service, accounting, administration and other posts that benefit from reliability and methodical execution.

Conclusion: The Right Fit for Your Team

Understanding the differences between a thoroughbred and a plow-horse employee can help organizations hire more strategically and build well-rounded teams. Thoroughbred employees bring energy, innovation and a fast-paced work ethic, ideal for dynamic, results-driven environments. On the other hand, plow employees offer consistency, reliability and careful decision-making, excelling in structured environments where collaboration and thorough work are vital.

Ultimately, recognizing these differences allows organizations to create balanced teams that can harness both the innovation and flexibility of thoroughbreds and the reliability and steadiness of plow horses — both essential in different contexts.

Daniel Abramson is managing lead of HRSource, a comprehensive collection of customized employment tools and turnkey HR solutions exclusive to BrandSource members. Contact Daniel at (540) 535-8484 or Daniel.Abramson@BrandSource.com.

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