Chapter 5: What Motivates Paraducers and Producers?

Surprisingly, Paraducers are motivated by the same factors that drive Producers, to a large extent. Both appreciate a good paycheck, love their families, and enjoy vacation time. We’re not talking about beings from different planets.

Producers get a high from creating whatever they produce, and there is an intangible benefit that could only be quantified by a CAT scanner, if that. We only know that it’s an important reward of the Producer, as she steps back from her work and pronounces, “Good!” (Take a look at Genesis, Chapter 1 and see how many times God pronounces his work “good” in his acts of creation. Curious parallel.)

Maccoby uses the term “self-developers,” and this parallels my term Producer to a large extent. He says that “Self-developers are rewarded by a sense of responsibility, creativity, and stimulation. They like to use all of themselves.” ^[12] This describes many Producers.

Paraducers, on the other hand, do not produce many things new and unique (except new forms or derivations), so perhaps do not get the same rush of neural chemicals. But their work is rewarding on some level. Completing just about any task is satisfying, even shaking down the tobacco industry for billions.

Paraducers are more prone to work together in small groups at a professional level, and that lends a satisfaction that Producers sometimes miss. The hearty praise of peers is valuable to Paraducers. Maccoby classifies some of the professions I consider Paraducers as “experts,” one of many types he invents. Then he says, “Experts do not want to be controlled, but neither do they want to be so independent that they leave the system of measurable achievement, comfortable rewards, and expressions of approval.” ^[13] That description fits attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, and other professionals who operate mainly in small practices or offices, but under a larger umbrella of official licensure. American Bar Association figures ^[14] show that 74% of attorneys are in private practice, and 63% of those are in firms with five or fewer lawyers.

While Producers value themselves by their work output (sometimes too much), Paraducers look at external indicators to gauge self worth, such as income, housing and social status. Let’s not forget that ride.

These differences in motivations contribute to a difficulty in communication. Understand that we are dealing with two biologically similar beasts that are wired differently, with conflicting goals, sometimes seriously.