The markers for success differ from business to business, but the roadmap is mostly the same. You need a strong leader to guide the company through good times and bad and to make data-driven decisions that will help the business grow and flourish. But any leader, no matter how skilled they are, is only as good as their team. If you don’t have a competent team to back you up, you will find it more difficult to accomplish your goals.
Business leadership is more than just identifying new trends or making the right investments, or increasing shareholder value. It’s also about bringing out the best in people and inspiring them to do better work. And besides, you can’t hope to grow your business without a team to support you. Nurturing your employees’ strengths and talents can have a greater effect on business success than any investment or acquisition.
Leadership-training events can help you develop a team focused on the success of the company. Every employee is a potential leader. With that in mind, here are a few qualities that every employee must possess. While this list is by no means exhaustive, you may want to keep an eye out for people that exhibit the following traits.
1. Credibility
Respect begets respect, and one of the best ways to earn your peers’ respect is to show them you are worthy of it. Display behavior that shows your best qualities so that people will be more willing to work with you. If you expect the best from your coworkers, you must also show that you can produce high-quality work yourself. Actions speak louder than words, and if you meet or exceed everyone’s expectations, more people will follow your example.
2. Discipline
A good employee is expected to take direction from their superiors, but that doesn’t mean they can abet bad decisions. They should tell if the logic is faulty or if the data supporting the action isn’t sound. Voice out your concerns and make yourself heard. Discipline is different from blind obedience, but at the end of the day, your job is to make sure the leader’s vision is carried out to the best of your ability.
Discipline also means demonstrating self-management and professional behavior. Tensions often run high in the office, and you need to learn how to keep your emotions in check. Keep your head cool, even if the situation is pushing you to your limits. It also helps to be aware of your actions. People who lack self-awareness can’t be trusted to make the team’s best decisions or the company.
3. Clear and effective communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any business organization. Without it, miscommunication may lead to workplace disagreements and disunity, which then affects company performance. But communication isn’t just about sending emails or making calls to the right people. It’s also about listening to others and being clear about your intentions.
A good employee knows that both parties must be willing to listen to each other for effective communication to happen. Talking without listening isn’t productive and is a waste of time. Make it a point to ask for everybody’s input and to share useful information. Clarify any misunderstandings immediately, before it festers and turns into something worse. If everyone in your team feels heard, you can expect better results.
4. Empathy
The corporate world often values hard facts over emotions, but you cannot ignore the role human emotions play in business. People aren’t automatons, and if you ignore their emotional health, it could lead to bigger issues down the line. A good employee can demonstrate empathy towards their colleagues and superiors.
Without empathy, you will find it more difficult to form a closer bond with other people. Problem-solving and decision-making also require a high degree of empathy. After all, how can you offer solutions if you are incapable of understanding the problem in the first place?
The bottom line
These traits are good indicators of future performance and success for your employees. If you want to succeed in business, you need to have the right mix of skills and qualities. Not everything is judged on competence alone, and you also need to develop your human side if you want to climb the corporate ladder.
