In today's 
global business environment, hiring (and keeping) the right 
employee is one of the most difficult jobs a 
manager
 has. Often leaders focus on the skill sets needed to get a job done 
right and overlook basic skills and personality traits critical to being
 a valued and productive team member. The consequences of a bad hire can
 be steep--personality clashes, project failures, and even firings.
While every employee has a unique mix of skills and personality 
traits, there are common ones that every hiring manager should look for.
Candidates who have these 15 qualities should definitely make your short list.
1. Agile.
Employees should be flexible, nimble, and quick. They should be able 
to react and respond to changing needs and customer desires and to the 
moving parts in our global business world.
2. Friendly and open.
Employees need to be approachable, kind, and compassionate. They 
should be able to speak in a way that makes others feel they are cared 
about. Stephen Covey
 writes that highly effective people are those who care about others before themselves.
3. Internationally aware.
An Ernst and Young 
report says that one of the most important qualities employers are looking for today is a 
global mindset. This means being aware of and sensitive to other cultures, customs, events, and perspectives.
4. Energetic.
Sometimes projects require an employee to work late or extra 
early--particularly when collaborating across time zones. Dream 
employees have the stamina to do this. They eat right, exercise, and 
take care of themselves so that they can conserve and protect their 
energy and have more of it.
5. Adaptable.
Perfect employees are able to adjust to different cultures, 
personalities, and ways of doing things. For example, when collaborating
 with an 
introverted employee, they have the emotional intelligence to know that this person needs quiet time to think before speaking.
6. Ability to make small talk.
This is especially important when working with other cultures. Dream 
employees know how to talk about safe topics like the weather, current 
events, or sports when engaging with those from other parts of the 
world. It's a bonus if they can have these exchanges in the other 
person's language.
7. Assertive.
Strong employees know how to mediate conflict. They know how to take 
initiative, ask for what they need, and assert opinions and suggestions 
so that they are visible and productive. This is especially important 
when working on remote teams.
8. Curious.
The best employees want to know about different ways of doing things.
 They wonder how others are doing something; what other organizations 
are working on; and how teammates are doing in their lives or 
jobs--particularly when the teammates live elsewhere in the world. Being
 curious is an important trait for gaining knowledge and showing people 
that you're interested in them.
9. Flexible.
When working with different cultures and 
across time zones,
 the ability to flex one's schedule, switch up systems, and abandon 
processes that may not be working is critical to success. Dream 
employees aren't afraid of change. They're open to learning new skills, 
software, and technology to keep pace with the rate of change today.
10. Time zone aware.
Virtual, dispersed, or remote teams are becoming the norm. This means
 people need to accommodate different time zones. The general rule is 
that meetings should be uncomfortable for everyone sometimes. So don't 
schedule a standing meeting that makes a team member always have to stay
 up late or wake up too early.
11. Direct.
Some cultures communicate in very indirect ways, so perfect team 
members know how to speak directly but without ruffling feathers. They 
know how to be clear in what they're saying and what their expectations 
are while maintaining harmony within the relationship.
12. Can-do attitude.
The best employees are ready to jump in with sleeves rolled up. They 
aren't naysayers. They believe anything can be done even if it requires 
abandoning old ways of doing things. They see only solutions, not 
problems.
13. Diplomatic.
The right employees know how to mediate differing opinions or 
suggestions. They're able to talk with people so that they do a lot of 
listening and have a lot of empathy and consideration of other 
perspectives. They ensure people are being heard.
14. Take care of their appearance.
Perfect employees are aware of their appearance, hygiene, and the 
customs of different cultures. They know how to let different 
environments dictate their dress so that they aren't over- or 
underdressed and everyone feels comfortable.
15. Competitive.
Competition can be a positive thing when employees are competitive 
with outside organizations. They want to outpace other businesses and 
are thinking about the organizations as a whole. Competition is really 
negative only when employees are just out for themselves. The right 
employees also know that men and women approach 
competition differently, and how to walk that line.
In addition to looking for strong skill sets, leaders should be 
probing for these qualities when trying to find the right fit for their 
organizations.