Every company appreciates their loyal and hard-working employees who show up for work each day, get the job done accurately and on time, follow directions, and manage the day-to-day workflow. To advance your business, you also need to identify, nurture and mentor those employees who are “diamonds in the rough” or go that extra mile — the select few who display above average intelligence, advanced problem-solving skills, or leadership potential.
The key to identifying these special few is to look for the characteristics that most top performers and successful people have in common.
But first, let me share that ONE trait that 90% of successful employees have in common.
Drum roll please…
The answer is the ability to manage stress. Effectively managing stress allows oneself to remain calm during difficult situations and leverage that skill to reach optimal performance.
Top Traits that Identify Successful Employees
Employees’ professional impact is influenced by their innate personality and behaviors and how they handle business pressure, performance and company requirements, workload, peer interactions, and their personal life.
Look for these top characteristics when identifying and developing employees to ensure the greatest rate success. (Winslow related traits in parenthesis)
- Intelligence or a high level of knowledge (Alertness). Intelligence trumps experience. An inexperienced, intelligent candidate can quickly learn a job and often ends up doing a better job than someone with experience.
- Ability to effectively manage stress (Composure). Stress can wreak havoc on one’s physical or emotional health, even causing them to make poor decisions or even behave in ways they normally wouldn’t. Managing stress removes those obstacles allowing for peak performance.
- Trustworthy in character and competence with solid values (Trust & Consciousnesses). While identifying someone’s values can be tricky but not impossible, trust is easier to identify and essential. Trust is the foundation for strong relationships, and to be successful, people have to trust you.
- Initiative, or passion for what they do (Ambition). People with initiative or passion are often self-motivating and self-managed. You’ll be able to identify this because they always seem to be engaged and enthusiastic and have strong desire for feedback. These people also tend to have a strong work ethic, which goes hand-in-hand when you are passionate about what you do.
- Flexibility (Flexibility). Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if everyone viewed change as an opportunity for growth? We all know that isn’t the case but the most successful people will, and they will display creativity in problem solving and seek out new solutions rather than getting frustrated when a problem presents itself.
- Team work (Interpersonal Traits / Emotional Maturity Traits). Good people skills are vital in most organizations since most everything involves collaboration. You want people who will check their ego at the door, put the interests of the company first, and are eager to share information and help others.
- Self-Improvement (Coachability). Successful people are always looking for opportunities to improve their skills and many will go so far as to seek out a mentor.
- Positive attitude (Tough-mindedness – Composure). Top performers have a tendency to view most tasks or challenges as something they can handle or overcome. They don’t use words like “can’t” or “I’ll try” or “it’s too difficult.” Their positive attitude to overcome a difficult situation allows them to show their abilities, test themselves, learn something new, and develop new skills.
Read more about these characteristics.
About Windridge Consulting and Winslow Assessments
Windridge Consulting is an industry leader in providing accurate and objective behavioral feedback and support for hiring and employee development. We work with you to identify your most skilled and behaviorally fit candidates at all levels and provide the necessary support and assessment expertise to develop your current workforce to their full potential.
Winslow Behavioral Assessments are recognized by experts as one of the world’s premier employee selection and development tools. They are taken online and assessment results are immediately available to management.
Whether for hiring, developing existing employees or succession management, using behavioral assessments will:
- Reduce employee turnover
- Accelerate onboarding
- Target developmental needs
- Align talent with business needs
- Improve Manager Communication
- Reduce workplace conflict
- Improve sales performance
- Improve customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Allow you to dig deeper during the interview process
Click here to learn more about Winslow Behavioral Assessments, or contact us directly at lindsay@windridgeconsulting.com / 206.533.9700 for personalized assistance.