Have you ever asked what the qualities of a good employee are? I guess yes. Well, it’s something anyone in a leadership position or looking to rise to a leadership level at work has probably asked themselves at some point.
I’ll admit I have thought about it quite often and I have also come up with a list of noticeable qualities of someone who is successful at work.
There are many qualities someone can have when it comes to being a good employee. But employee relations at any company can be like walking a tightrope.
On one hand, every company has its own opinion of what makes a good employee and which qualities lead to success.
However, regardless of where you work or your position, the 15 qualities in this article are important for all employees to possess. They help build a culture of professional and personal growth, which results in higher productivity and job satisfaction.
Let’s get to it.
1. Punctuality
We all know that as a company, you only want to hire and retain good employees. You could focus on many things such as their energy, customer service attitude, and communication skills – but simply put, hiring a punctual employee is one of the most important qualities employers want to find in their employees.
Punctuality, a quality that is often neglected, is an essential trait every employee should have. Be it an interview of a possible new employee or the orientation of the current one, the topic of punctuality should not be forgotten.
It is considered to be so important that every company has it implemented as part of its culture. A punctual employee always arrives at his/her workplace on time, is ready to go, and performs his/her tasks diligently.
2. Hard-working
Hard work is the basis for everything great. Employees who give their all by expending the maximum effort towards solving problems are considered hard-working.
This attitude is often contagious, improving the work ethic of their coworkers. A hard-working employee will not loaf on the job but may choose to work overtime or stay late when it’s needed.
As a hard-working person, you are able to put in more hours, do the tasks others are unwilling to do, and push yourself to learn even more.
Being hard-working leads to success and respect in both professional and personal life. Everyone wants to work with people who show a strong work ethic.
3. Attention to detail
Detail-oriented individuals tend to be more organized, dependable, and methodical in the workplace. They take time to make sure that everything is completed properly the first time, which means that there are generally fewer errors on projects and assignments.
Paying extra attention to details makes employees appear more motivated and serious about their work. So If you intend to be an excellent employee, then you must have great attention to detail.
When it comes to working with details, serious thought is devoted to every single piece of information – This enables you to perform your tasks in a confident and timely manner.
4. Team player
Employees are often asked if they consider themselves “team players.” But it’s hard to answer that question honestly without knowing exactly what the person asking defines as a “team player.”
You may consider yourself one, but your idea of a team player could mean something radically different than your interviewer’s or company.
Being a team player is essential to achieving success. By working together you can learn from each other, discuss solutions and resolve issues more efficiently, which benefits the company and your customers.
5. Good communication skills
Think about the times you have not been able to communicate with someone and how that has held you back; consider also the times when things have gone more smoothly because of good communication.
Effective communication skills are the key to good teamwork, management, and customer service.
Effective communication skills are vital to getting ahead in the workplace. It includes a good listening ear and appropriate body language. Ineffective communicators can slow down productivity, confuse or frustrate peers and customers, and impede an organization’s overall success.
6. Motivated to learn new things
I think one of the most underrated qualities of a good employee is being open to learning new concepts and skills. The landscape of skills and jobs will increasingly change over the coming decades and an open-minded employee will be able to adapt.
Everyone wants to be a valuable contributor to the organization as a new employee. His ability to stay motivated might be crucial to his success.
You’re more likely to succeed if you are eager to learn new things, acquire new skills, and advance in your career than someone who puts minimum effort into everything.
7. Ability to ask for help
One of the most critical qualities a competent employee must have is the ability to ask for help when you need it rather than waiting until you’re in over your head. A good employee will be able to take criticism and seek assistance when necessary.
If you don’t understand anything, it’s critical to be able to ask for help from your superiors or peers. There is no shame in seeking assistance. You’ll never be able to know everything there is to know. When you need some help, don’t be scared to ask for it.
8. Good attitude and work ethics
The reason it takes years to develop good employees is that it takes a long time to identify the ones with a good attitude and work ethic. Because of this, employers are always looking for the right people, not just because they are a good fit on paper but also because they have a positive attitude and can exemplify their company’s work ethic.
Being a great employee is more than just doing the job; it’s about being a befitting part of your company and industry, as well as being a positive influence on your colleagues.
You should have a positive attitude that is helpful and enjoyable to work with. A great attitude goes a long way toward getting along well with everyone. It leads to success in the workplace, personal achievement, and career advancement.
9. Commitment to work
Commitment to work is the quality of an employee that creates a sense of responsibility towards the organization for which he works.
Organization-wide commitment to work is termed as employee quality. An employee should be dedicated to the job he has been assigned and fully committed to it. While finding employees with great skills, the quality of employees can be more important than skills.
A person who is not dedicated to his/her work can never give a good performance, irrespective of the kind of skills he/she possesses. Therefore, commitment to work become a valuable quality for an employee to succeed at work.
10. Honesty
Honesty is an important trait that all good employees have. It is not easy to always be honest, but there are a lot of reasons why you should be. Being honest will get you a long way in life and at work.
A good employee is honest and tells you what they think you should know, even if that means self-criticism. This is not just about being able to do your job, but if you are honest with customers and co-workers then there is a good chance of becoming a valuable employee.
Honesty is about consistency, about truthfulness in communication and action. In other words, it’s really about valuing yourself and others by being true to what you say and do.
11. Being proactive instead of reactive
Being proactive instead of reactive. It’s more than just a catchphrase; it is about taking initiative, going above and beyond, and being engaged in the success of your team.
Good employees are by default proactive and attentive to finding ways to improve their own performance instead of just blaming someone or something else for their mistakes.
If an employee has the traits of being proactive, this means that they are taking the initiative to search for new opportunities and challenges, instead of waiting for people or circumstances to call the shots.
Not only does it improve productivity, but also can be very good for your company’s visuals to its customers.
12. Reliability
This is an important, if obvious, quality. Employers do not want employees to falter in their job duties and responsibilities. Businesses strive to avoid errors that can potentially harm the company, so reliability is a key quality for employees.
People who are reliable follow through on what they say, produce quality work, and make a consistent effort.
Reliable employees always meet deadlines and deliverables–they don’t wait until the last minute to finish tasks because they understand the importance of hitting deadlines on time.
A good employee can be counted on to complete areas of responsibility accurately, honestly, and by the date agreed upon. They are also reliable in keeping their commitments to fellow team members, clients/customers/patients, and other associates/volunteers.
13. Respect for others
Respect for others and the ability to work with people are essential for any team member and for a great manager.
The best employees show respect for others, whether that means listening during a staff presentation or offering to help a coworker who is struggling.
If you work in a team, this means you will respect the views of your colleagues and be willing to cooperate and listen to their ideas.
Learning to respect people for their skills, knowledge, and experience means that you will be better placed to learn from them and benefit from their richness.
14. Confidence
Confidence is a good quality for an employee to have, as confidence can help in many situations.
For example, a confident person can draw attention to flaws in a process or idea. They’re also more likely to speak up and share their ideas, which could improve the end product or idea.
Confident people are also comfortable with delegation. Delegation is important because it spreads out work and responsibilities, meaning a workload can be shared and employees will not feel they have too much work to do.
Confidence is a quality that many employers are looking for in their employees, so if you demonstrate this quality in your place of work, you will definitely stand out.
15. Adaptability
As the world of business is constantly changing, adaptability is one of the most important qualities of a good employee.
With constant changes happening in the workplace and employees getting laid off or fired, it’s extremely important for them to have the ability to adapt to changes that happen within the organization.
Adaptability is the ability to be flexible, open-minded, and able to do many things with equal success.
Being adaptable is about being adaptable in the face of change and having a positive attitude. As an employee, you must be able to learn new skills and change your work habits when necessary.
Qualities of a Good Employee: FAQs
How do you behave as a good employee?
Work hard, and never make excuses, or blame others when your actions fail. Use clear and concise communication when trying to deliver a message.
Behave appropriately in all business situations. Take action when it is your responsibility to act and maintain a professional disposition at all times
What is the difference between a boss and a manager?
A boss is defined as a person who is in charge or has authority, or who makes decisions or gives orders. A manager is defined as a person whose job is to manage a business or department.
What makes a good employee?
A good employee is someone who is team-oriented, trustworthy and dependable, organized and detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to work independently, honest and ethical, problem solver, goal-oriented, and success-driven.
Qualities of a Good Employee: Conclusion
As said at the beginning of the article, there are many qualities of a good employee and they differ from company to company.
Nevertheless, there are certain qualities you must possess as an employee to succeed at work and even in life. Those are the qualities highlighted above.
So, I wish you the best of luck in your career, job hunt, or future professional endeavors. You’ll definitely be successful if you have these qualities and are willing to learn from both your failures and accomplishment.
If you need help with your resume, here is an article on skills you should put on your resume. And perhaps, if you’re looking to develop yourself as an employer, these are the actionable ways to improve your performance at work.
I hope you found this article helpful. Thanks for reading.
