Employee-Qualities That Build A Positive Workplace

While the onus is generally placed on employers to create and maintain a positive workplace, employees also play their part in contributing to a happy work environment. Ever heard the saying, “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel?” In the same way, one consistently negative employee can quickly lead to a team of unhappy or negative employees. If not dealt with, this can result in diminished employee morale and decreased productivity. At the other end of the spectrum, employees who have a positive attitude tend to be more productive than people who are negative. Their positivity and optimistic outlook have a way of being contagious to those around them, helping to build a happy work environment and, ultimately, satisfied customers.  

 

Here are 9 employee characteristic that are desirable when building a happy and engage workforce:  

1. Dedication 

Dedicated employees are determined – they do not see challenges or limitations as roadblocks. Instead, they are steady in their resolve to complete their tasks, reach goals and further their career. They show: 

• loyalty to their employer 
• a passion for their work, 

• a positive attitude toward their job in general, 

These employees are motivated to work hard and are willing to put in the effort required to get the job done.  

2. Reliability 

Reliable employees are self-starters and show integrity by showing up even when a leader is not looking over their shoulder. They: 

• come to work on time, 
• meet deadlines, 
• consistently produce high-quality work, 
• are keen to take on more significant responsibilities. 

Reliable employees help maintain productivity and efficiency by completing tasks on time. They help to improve customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality service and work.  

3. A team player 

Team players are typically active listeners with well-developed communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills. They are:  

• flexible when assigned work tasks within their team,  
• committed to the success of the team and each of their team members, 
• supportive and respectful of their colleagues, 
• open-minded when being presented with new ideas. 

Team players feel comfortable working together and trusting each other. They work together effectively and spur each other on to greater achievements.  

4. Independent 

Independent employees are proactive and take responsibility for their successes or failures. This fosters a sense of trust in their managers and colleagues.  They have:  

• well-developed time management skills, 
• resourcefulness, 
• the ability to critique their own work, 

Autonomous employees can work independently to troubleshoot problems and can also collaborate with colleagues to find the best solutions.   

5. Confident 

Confident employees are not afraid to speak up in the face of problems or question the status quo. They: 

• look for ways to streamline work improve your skills, 
• are not afraid to ask for help, 
• take initiative when needed, 
• are quick on the uptake when adapting to a new role. 

A confident work force knows how to use their initiative and make decisions that align with company goals. The successful outcome of this confidence is that trust is built among colleagues.  

6. Good interpersonal skills 

Employees with strong interpersonal skills are typically valued for their pleasant manner and a positive, solution-oriented attitude. They:  

• listen more than they speak, 
• communicate well,  
• give feedback in a constructive way, 
• are able interpret verbal and nonverbal communication. 

Employees with good interpersonal skills – and by default who are great communicators – can contribute to effective teamwork, enhance customer service and positively affect the overall culture of the business.  

7. Demonstrates emotional intelligence 

Emotional intelligence is associated with traits like resilience, perseverance, self-control and working well under pressure. It provides employees with the emotional strength to:  

• show empathy to others, 
• adapt well to change, 
• deal with setbacks, 
• ask for and learn from feedback, 
• show a commitment to life-long learning. 

Employees with high levels of emotional intelligence understand and can manage their own emotions, as well as those of their colleagues. They build strong relationships and employ insight and empathy when resolving conflicts in a constructive way.  

8. Critical thinker 

Employees who are critical thinkers are able to innovate and introduce new ideas and new methods for accomplishing a task or achieving goals. They can: 

• identify business strengths and weaknesses, 
• recognise crucial details, 
• ask the right questions, 
• think outside of established parameters. 

This quality is important for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition and continuously improve their offerings. 

9. Models integrity 

Employees with integrity are honest and trustworthy. They are happy to support fellow workers by sharing time and resources. They are:  

• honest about their work progress, 
• are ethical in all business practices, 
• are aware of core values and stive to demonstrate them, 
• make all decisions based on integrity and honesty. 

Honesty creates a more supportive and transparent work environment, where employees feel valued and respected by one another. 

 

Positive employees have great leadership potential 

Employees with the abovementioned traits are ideal candidates to nurture into being team leaders and people managers. Their positive attributes lean toward being able to create a positive work environment and motivate their report-ins. Their favorable characteristics are likely to result in them being highly thought of by their coworkers and they have the wherewithal to inspire and bring the best out of others. They also tend to have strong organisational skills and the ability to identify a team’s strengths and weaknesses. They are resilient under pressure and have critical thinking and problem-solving skills that serve them well when faced with a setback.  

Over to you for sharing your comments and experiences.