Employee X-Factor
by UP
“They are brilliant; I just can’t put my finger on why”. It’s a rather more common remark to us than you may expect. Relevant experience, knowledge, talent and personality all play their part in the recruitment of an employee. Finding and appointing a great employee is only the start of the process. Some employees blossom into exceptional employees seemingly having that x-factor where it is difficult to identify just why they are so brilliant.
In our experience it is often a key set of qualities that make a good employee a great one.
Dependable: You can rely on them in any circumstances. If you place a project with them you know that what needs doing will get done.
Proactive: Good employees are able to bring ideas to you, suggest new ways of working and take ideas and turn them into plans.
Great Leaders/Great Followers: Some employees make natural leaders, however good employees make great leaders and equally great followers. When circumstances dictate, a good employee is able to adapt to the most appropriate role.
Good employees can be exceptional ones. All exceptional in their own ways, yet all will demonstrate similar qualities; that employee X-Factor that can sometimes be so hard to pin down:
Job descriptions mean nothing: It doesn’t matter what role an exceptional employee is in, they won’t let this restrict them especially if they see a colleague in need. They’ll often be the first to jump in to help them.
They’re Eccentric, when the time is right: Exceptional employees often don’t think or act like everyone else. They bring an energy, an unconventional approach, they aren’t afraid to be different. However, they are the masters at knowing when to reign some of that unconventional approach in when the situation or circumstances warrant it. It’s such a tough balancing act that it takes an exceptional employee to pull it off.
They praise publicly, complain privately: Exceptional employees are the masters of recognising the contribution of others to success. They’ll make a point of doing it in group situations, making sure everyone knows just how special their colleagues contribution has been. Equally, if there is an issue they need to get off their chest they’ll make a point of speaking to you before or after a group meeting being careful not to set off any firestorms in the group.
They speak when others won’t, challenge and fiddle: Even though they pick their moments to raise issues with you, they aren’t afraid to speak up if others won’t. They’ll be the ones that ask you questions in group situations when they already know the answer. The reason they do it is because they know others won’t and they want them to understand or hear the answer to a question they’re too scared to ask.
They have the drive to challenge the norm and fiddle: Exceptional employees challenge the notion that ‘it can’t be done’ determined to prove this wrong. Self-motivated to the max, exceptional employees won’t take no for an answer, but never in a negative way. If they can see ways to make processes better they’ll challenge it. It’s often your most exceptional employees that will be found fiddling with systems and processes trying to maximise the value within them.
BUT…
Most importantly exceptional employees are able to do all of the above with a positive energy that moves your company forward at every opportunity.
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