A “top” achiever who’s always late OR a “mediocre” achiever who’s always on time?

I would prefer punctuality to remain as an example for all to follow or else you loose control and breed in bad work culture and indiscipline resulting into overal average productivity of the team further dipping.

Life isn't fair in so many aspects. So, in my own experience the employer would choose the top achiever who has some flaws but in the other hand accomplishes extraordinary results in his job. I trully believe that people in general, are more forgiving towards the people with exceptional skills or talents. They are more tolerante with them. 

It depends on the type of job a person is handling. For me, it is not how much time you have put to get things done, it is how much efficient and  the quality of the result that really matters. But an ideal employee should possess both  character and result.

I would like to have the person who is mediocre and always on time as my Worker, Colleague or Manager. He must be responsible reliable and punctual than others and it help me maintain the system and regulation. “slow and steady wins the race”

- Top achievers spend much time on getting customers, referrals, communications etc. They spend their time even after duty hours.  As per my experience, management don't mind time punctuality for the top achievers, as they do things any time and every time. 

- If I have given targets, to achieve the targets I like other top achievers as my colleagues.  And if management give me routine office work, then I like to have mediocre as my colleague.

- Choosing my manager, it's depends on the field.  However, I like to work with a manager who is Punctual as well as top achiever.

In so many cases and in my own working experience in the banking sector , Top achievers are behind and are resposible for  the success of their organization, that's why they are known as TOP ACHIEVERS.

There is no comparison possible between them and low or mediocre achievers.

One top achiever can be worth100 mediocre achievers

This is vision in leadership and management

There are always exception to the general rules, I would prefer Top achievers over mediocre after all they know how to manage work within their own time not all are equal in terms of work and achievements. Timing is important yet who cares if somebody knows how to perform without adhering to the time. Creative thinkers cannot be tied by clock.

100 % top achievers - Quality has a price

I can choose any one of them as both have real good qualities that evey immediate boss needs. Nobody is perfect thats why there is always a need of training department in every professional organization. 

Both the persons are short of one skill, the TOP ACHIEVER only needs to absorb some lessons of descipline and he will be a "star seller". While the mediocre just needs a session of "SELLING SKILLS" and he will also become a top achiever as he already haev the rest of the skills we look in a quality sales person.

If i have to choose one of them as a sales person, i will prefer the top achiever

and if i have to choose one of them as a manager, i will prefer the desciplined individual with mediocre selling skills.

If the position invovles reasonable risk , i would prefer top achiver .

I would like to keep Top Achiever, his habit of coming late can be addressed by making him realize to behave.