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.