26 Sep What makes a likable employee?
Call it pleasant, easy going, or affable, but whatever word you choose, employees and employers work together best when they get along well and like each other.
We hear a lot about the need for proper skills for getting a job, or how important it is that you have experience and knowledge in certain areas. For example, the need for certain tech skills or experience in certain computer-related abilities. But at some point, we also have to address the importance of being a likable employee who an employer wants to have on the team and who is viewed as a pleasant facing asset to put in front of customers. Here are some of the top attributes that likable employees share:
Hungry for Challenge
Employers want to know that they have people who are ready to roll their sleeves up and do some work. Whether it is seeking out the best of oneself in a personal project, initiating a challenge or innovative change as a team leader, or forging ahead in trying to figure out the best way to solve a problem, employers like it when employees are ready to do what it takes. When you show up hungry for a challenge, not afraid to fail, and ready to support the company you are a part of, it makes you a likable employee who others look up to.
Team Player
Whether it involves asking how one of your team members is doing with a project, offering to help, or simply doing your part when it comes to contributing to group efforts, employers like it when they have a team that works like a well-oiled machine. One-off part of the machine – or one uncooperative team member – is enough to make the wheels fall off, and things go awry. That doesn’t help anyone. Do your part as a team member, helping out around the office, giving compliments and feedback, getting to know your colleagues, and generally just showing up as a team member more than an individual player.
Emotionally Intelligent
It’s one thing to be aware of your own emotions and knowing when to share and when to check them at the door, but it’s another thing when you are able to be aware of the emotions of others. Being sensitive to other’s feelings and reactions, not to mention being able to read them and gauge your actions and reactions appropriately is a highly regarded trait in the work place. In a job situation, there are a wide range of emotions that come together and when these clash, there can be the perfect storm for problems in the office. Avoid unnecessary conflict by bringing emotional intelligent staff members into your team and your business and daily life at the office will be better off for it.
Are you looking for a new employee to join your team and want to make sure they have all the traits you need? Keep these characteristics in mind as you search for your next hire.
