Quote from James A.Hart on July 16, 2025, 10:59 pm

Every team has two types of people.

Mercenaries show up for the paycheck.
Missionaries show up for the mission.

The difference might sound subtle, but in practice, it changes everything.

Mercenaries chase the next opportunity

These are people who:

• Only work hard when someone’s watching
• Quiet quit when things get tough
• Leave for $500 more somewhere else

They don’t think about the bigger picture. They don’t care if the business wins — as long as they get paid.

Hiring mercenaries may help you grow fast in the short term. But when you hit turbulence, they’re the first ones out.

Missionaries build the long game

Missionaries are different.

They stay up late because they want to, not because someone asked.
They ask hard questions. They suggest improvements. They see problems and fix them — without needing permission.

Why?

Because they believe in what you’re building. They feel ownership, even if their name isn’t on the company.

These are the people who stick through the chaos and help build something great. When the market shifts or the ad account goes down, they don’t disappear — they adapt.

You can’t fake mission

Culture slides on every hiring decision. One wrong hire can cost you the spirit of ten good ones.

That’s why it’s not enough to hire someone who’s skilled.
You need someone who wants this to work as much as you do.

People with heart. People who take pride in progress.
People who say “we” instead of “they.”

Skills can be taught.
But mission is internal.

If you’re trying to build something long-lasting — a brand, a movement, a team that scales — don’t just hire for the job. Hire for the mission.

Because missionaries build empires.
Mercenaries just work jobs.