Top 4 Qualities of Great Employees
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The top four qualities of great employees.
Exceptional employees and leaders make for exceptional culture.
When it comes to what makes an exceptional employee, there are many traits that can contribute to someone being awesome. If I had to narrow it down to just four qualities that I believe matter the most, here’s my suggestion of the traits I think companies and leaders should hire, promote, reward, and strive for.
Not a bad list for every coworker and human to attempt to embody as well.
1. They assume positive intent.
One of the most powerful qualities any employee can have is to assume positive intent in others.
Great employees don’t jump to conclusions or create drama around misunderstandings. They don’t default to interpreting other people’s behavior negatively, reading others in the worst possible light, or take offense at the smallest things. Instead, they give the benefit of the doubt and assume the best in people. They take the initiative to clarify and resolve issues when needed.
“They don’t make excuses or blame others when things go wrong — they own their successes and failures with equal responsibility.”
Employees who lead with the mindset of positive intent foster a healthier, more drama-free environment. They ask questions, engage in open communication, and clear the air early on — which avoids unnecessary conflict and makes it much easier for everyone to stay focused and productive.
2. They are highly accountable.
Great employees take full ownership of their responsibilities and actions. They show up on time, pull their weight, meet deadlines, communicate well, and do great work. They don’t make excuses or blame others when things go wrong — they own their successes and failures with equal responsibility.
Having a team of highly accountable employees and coworkers cultivates a culture of reliability and trust, where people consistently produce high quality work and make the team and organization more successful.
“They give and receive feedback respectfully, and they manage their emotions in difficult conversations.”
3. They’re good at feedback and conflict resolution.
Exceptional employees handle conflict directly and constructively. They address issues directly at the source rather than gossiping, complaining, or talking behind other people’s backs. They give and receive feedback respectfully, and they manage their emotions in difficult conversations.
This keeps the team out of drama, ensuring that problems are resolved quickly and efficiently, without lingering tension or escalating into bigger problems.
4. They are in control of their own weather.
“Energy and attitudes are contagious.”
Energy and attitudes are contagious. Employees that are top notch are aware of how their emotions and behavior impacts others. They manage their moods and energy, taking responsibility for their choice of words, body language, and the effect they have on the team.
Yes, everyone has bad days, and those who excel in emotional regulation know how to prevent bringing everyone around them down, which can have a huge negative affect on everyone’s work and productivity, and the general morale of the team.
Final thoughts.
These four qualities — assuming positive intent, high accountability, skillful feedback & conflict, and emotional regulation — are crucial for creating a high-performing, resilient team. Employees who consistently demonstrate these traits contribute to the success of the organization and foster a more exceptional and productive team culture.
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop
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