Blog / Leadership
Peter Maloney, Job Descriptions are no longer enough
Every well-run company will now have a job description and even perhaps an ideal week mapped out for each position within the company.
But this still does not capture the attitude and mind set we, as business owners, really want from our staff. Through many sessions with the staff from a number of top quality companies, we have developed the characteristics of the ideal employee. This may give you a template to develop your own.
1 Safe Hands
Safe hands cover a range of qualities found in an ideal employee. They should be capable enough to complete any reasonable task, confident enough to do so on their own and sensible enough such that they ask questions and do not take unnecessary risks. Following on from this is reliability and the characteristic of autonomy so they can complete tasks without requiring assistance at every minor checkpoint.
2 Trustworthy and accountable
This means to be both honest and trustworthy such that any number of tasks can be allocated to the employee with complete confidence. On top of this, the ideal employee should be accepting of their mistakes and the responsibility that accompanies them.
3 Manageable and respectful
Ideal employees should be both capable and manageable, meaning they are able to be guided to where the managers want them to go. This requires clear goal setting from both parties.
4 Produces results and achieves targets
This means they are constantly producing work of the highest quality. Not only does this win for the organisation, but it is also a win for the employee as they are achieving personal goals – the aim should be for a win-win relationship between the employee and employer.
5 Hard working and effective
There is a difference between being busy and effective in the sense that those who are effective are achieving the goals of both the organisation and themselves. Being effective also means asking the right questions and not creating unnecessary situations.
6 Passionate
The employee should be enthusiastic about their work which is more than just “for the sake of doing” or the money involved. The passionate employee should enjoy coming to work and strive to perform at their peak capacity.
7 Shows initiative and dares to challenge
The ideal employee should be taking that next step without instruction and moving forward to solve problems autonomously. They should take ownership of the direction of tasks and look for more work without instruction.
8 Approachable and collaborative with other colleagues
It is of the utmost importance that employees are able to freely interact with others. This means being friendly and approachable while also being sociable and outgoing.
9 Fit and healthy
If an employee is ill, their co-workers will have to cover for them – performing their own duties as well as those of the sick employee. The ideal employee will stay fit and healthy by eating healthilly; sleeping well and exercising regularly. By doing so they will reduce their chances of falling ill, contributing to a productive workplace.
10 Personal development and common sense
The ideal employee is committed to personal development and improvement and uses their new found skills to help the organisation develop and improve. They also take the ‘common sense’ approach on a daily basis within the organisation.
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