I spoke with a friend the other day (who’s a successful business
man) about a capable manager who has worked for both of us.  “The
problem with ‘Bob’,” he said, “is that he’s a maintainer and not a
grower.”  When I asked what he meant by that, he explained that Bob had
a way of protecting the status quo.  The vast majority of his energy
was spent building walls around what he currently had and ensuring it
never diminished.  And he was good at it.  He never had a down month. 
He was always at, or slightly ahead of, last year’s numbers.  He was
safe and secure and he was absolutely reliable and dependable.

But what he lacked was a desire / willingness / ability? / drive /
to grow the business.  While he managed what he had very effectively,
he never took it to the next level.  My friend found that very
frustrating.  He was looking for someone to grow his business.  He was
a risk taker, and he expected his managers to do the same.  He never
let anything stagnate (read in he never maintained anything at the
status quo) and he expected his managers to do the same.  Needless to
say, eventually this owner and Bob eventually got sideways and Bob left.

What kind of manager are you?  Do you protect the status quo or are
you always pushing the envelope?  Do you have the growing mentality or
are you a maintainer.  I suppose there’s a place for both, but it’s the
growers who are in high demand, and they are the ones who make all the
money.  Just something to consider.