The Top 10 Traits of an Indispensable Employee

The next time you’re sitting across from a potential hire, think through this list of traits that top executives look for in high performing staff!

1. Accountability

• Do what you say you’ll do – every time
• Own the problem and the solution
• Hold direct reports accountable for performance

2. Attitude

• Bring energy, enthusiasm and excitement to the project as well as to the team
• Can do attitude – do whatever it takes to get the job done
• Visionary
• Gets along well with others – good organizational fit
• Enjoys their work
• Strives for excellence

3. Leadership

• Can lead a team to success
• Shows initiative
• Is proactive not reactive
• Retains the right people for the right positions
• Knows how to get the best out of the team
• Ability to lead others by creating trust and credibility
• Doesn’t wait. Seizes opportunities.

4. Communication

• Excellent oral and written skills
• Excellent listener – talking is just half of the process
• Open-minded to new ideas
• Can effectively communicate in a way that inspires and motivates
• Keeps others informed

5. Team Player

• Collaborative by nature, humble by example
• Shares knowledge with others to help them achieve goals
• Will do whatever needs to be done, whenever you need to do it
• Good organizational fit

6. Expertise

• They have the knowledge and skill to do their job
• They understand the job and the process to succeed
• Breadth of knowledge. Broad skills rather than specific expertise – “I look for ‘middle infielders’…people who can do more than one thing.”
• Critical thinker – “someone who doesn’t simply enter a number, but questions what the right number is”

7. Ethics

• Honest
• Comes to you with problems – “Never hide an elephant”
• Does the right thing
• Treats others with respect

8. Loyalty

• Offer more than just a job
• Fair pay
• Invest in training and development
• Share your vision
• Empowerment
• Find common ground
• Get to know your employees
• Recognize and reward often

9. Professionalism

• Focused
• Accountable
• Competent
• Motivation
• Respectful

10, Adaptability

• Everything changes
• Flexibility