Two Types of "A" Players
Why is it that there seems to be the assumption that all "A" players are those who live to work, work 60+ hour weeks, and generally immerse themselves with their work?
I employ "A" players who want to work 40 hours a week and spend the rest of the time with their families. They are excellent at what they do; they just want to do it as a job, not as a lifestyle, and they want to compartmentalize it into 9-5, M-F.
Why is that so hard to believe? I chalk it up to Inexperience, personaity types, and lack of focus. If you don't have the inherhit abilities to focus, get things done, block out un-important tasks (strategically or tactically), and focus while you do so - your frame of mind is that few others can do it. The human psyche I've learned tends to dis-believe that others are much better than the individuals' own self-awareness.