{"id":22019,"date":"2024-01-11T13:17:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T13:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/?p=22019"},"modified":"2026-02-13T13:19:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T13:19:30","slug":"qualities-of-a-good-employee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/qualities-of-a-good-employee","title":{"rendered":"20 Key Qualities of a Good Employee &amp; How to Test Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Ask 10 different managers about the defining qualities of a good employee, and you\u2019ll probably get 10 different answers. That\u2019s because what ultimately defines the &#8220;right fit&#8221; can mean different things across different roles, companies, and industries.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Many businesses, however, are looking for some common traits in their employees. Whether you&#8217;re hiring a manager, developer, or entry-level assistant, here are the essential soft skills and personality attributes any good employee should have.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">TL;DR \u2014 Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">What makes a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/skills-of-a-good-employee\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener\" title=\"good employee\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2418\">good employee<\/a> can vary greatly according to the type of role, company, culture, etc. Generally, a good employee possesses a <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">mix of job-specific hard skills, soft skills, and certain personality attributes.<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Qualities<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> are innate characteristics or traits a person has. <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Skills<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> are acquired through training or work experience. Both are important screening criteria.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Some of the <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">key qualities of a good employee<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> include strong communication and teamwork skills, a high degree of self-awareness, humility, integrity, confidence, and dedication. In total, we identified 20 top qualities.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Using <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">skills assessment tests<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> during the hiring process can help quickly identify candidates with preferred skill sets and traits through a mix of data-backed assessments and homework assignments.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">What makes a great employee?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">While there&#8217;s no single definition of a great employee, there are some key qualities that employers prioritize. Combined with the necessary <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>hard skills<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> required to perform the role, attributes like integrity, reliability, analytical thinking, and being a team player are the most essential qualities of a good employee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-justify has-text-align-justify\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Many job-specific and technical skills can be cultivated with professional development \u2014 but certain qualities help employees build up their acumen faster, no matter the sector or role. McKinsey calls these<\/span> &#8216;<span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">foundational skills<\/span>&#8216;<span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> \u2014 cognitive, digital, interpersonal, and self-leadership abilities that help employees develop specialized skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/public-sector\/our-insights\/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>McKinsey<\/u><\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">People with strong foundational skills (which people are calling <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/power-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>power skills<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> now) show greater adaptability to change, bring in a fresh perspective, and can succeed in a wider range of roles. Research also shows that traits like <a href=\"https:\/\/online.hbs.edu\/blog\/post\/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high emotional intelligence<\/a> are essential to great management and serve as a strong <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>predictor of employee performance<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">So the next time you <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/how-to-find-good-employees\" title=\"hire employees\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">hire employees<\/a>, think about both the <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">skills <\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">and<\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> qualities <\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">they need to possess to perform well on the job. List these qualities alongside preferred technical-focused skills to attract better matches that will perform well on the job and fit into your company culture.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Qualities vs. skills<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A quality is an <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">innate characteristic or personality trait<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> you have. A skill is a <\/span><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">learned ability you develop through training or work experience<\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For example, Layla has strong oral communication skills she developed as a debate captain in college and later as a sales rep for a cosmetics brand. She\u2019s also funny and considerate, so people are naturally drawn to her. Layla&#8217;s confident speaking and active listening are skills, while a good sense of humor and empathy are her personality traits or qualities.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In the recruitment process, most managers want to hire employees with both strong soft skills and unique personal qualities, so the two terms are used interchangeably. The best part? You can vet job applicants\u2019 soft and hard skills, plus personality traits, with <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>different pre-employment testing methods<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">20 key qualities of a good employee<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/businessnamegenerator.com\/soft-skills-in-the-workplace\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>majority of hiring managers<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> (84%) agree that new employees must have strong soft skills and demonstrate them in the hiring process.&nbsp;What are those soft skills and good qualities, though? Here are 20 ideal qualities of a good employee who&#8217;ll be a great asset to any team.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">1. Communication<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Being able to effectively listen, speak, and write with clarity goes a long way toward doing great work consistently and contributing to a good work environment.&nbsp;Apart from doing their work well, effective communicators also tend to be better team players and demonstrate higher leadership potential.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A great employee&nbsp;with excellent communication skills conveys their thoughts well, has great listening skills, can reach a common ground easily, and understands others&#8217; points of view.&nbsp; People who are great communicators are also statistically more likely to excel in management and personal efficiency and <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/09722629221101157\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">be engaged in the workplace<\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Generally, when the workplace culture promotes a high degree of transparency and openness, it leads to mutual trust. And high-trust organizations experience fewer issues with&nbsp;employee engagement and high turnover.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-align-center\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Trusting employees are 260% more motivated to work, have 41% lower rates of absenteeism, and are 50% less likely to look for another job.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/sloanreview.mit.edu\/article\/how-to-build-a-high-trust-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>Deloitte<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for communication skills<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In the initial stages of the hiring process, assess how well the potential hire formulates their thoughts and explains their previous experience in their application and emails.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For a deeper take, administer a pre-screening <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/hire\/test-library\/communication-skills-test\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>communication skills test<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> featuring questions to assess the applicant\u2019s communication style, active listening abilities, and verbal communication skills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great free text question to test communication skills might be, &#8220;Tell me about a conflict with a team member you had in the workplace. How did you solve it?&#8221; Or, you could ask them, &#8220;You need to explain a complicated issue to a&nbsp;co-worker. How do you go about it?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">2. Teamwork<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Effective teamwork includes qualities like active listening, accountability, empathy, adaptability, and consensus-building.&nbsp;A team player knows how to multiply their unique strengths with the abilities of others. They can communicate well, cooperate on shared tasks, and support others by their side to achieve a shared goal faster.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"rgb(254, 251, 250)\" style=\"color: inherit\">Being a team player is important for <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/teamstage.io\/teamwork-statistics\/\">37% of employees<\/a><span data-color=\"rgb(254, 251, 250)\" style=\"color: inherit\">, and 97% of employers believe that a lack of alignment influences the chances of success for a project.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Team players are also able to work in groups to boost internal efficiency. Groups of three to five individuals <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/news\/press\/releases\/2006\/04\/group\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>outperform individuals on complex tasks<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> by processing information more effectively, generating fresh ideas, rejecting erroneous responses, and finding the correct solution.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for teamwork<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Teamwork skills shine through during collaboration. So the best way to assess these are practical <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>job simulations<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> like:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In-basket\/in-tray exercises<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Role-playing simulation<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Open-ended homework assignments<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Situational judgment test&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In each case, give candidates a mock situation they may experience at the job. For example, ask them to explain how they\u2019d brief a designer about creating a new product interface or organize a three-person sales team to prepare a new sales demo for a client.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8 top-tip\">\n            \n                            <span class=\"flex items-center text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"!w-6 !h-6 !object-contain mr-2\" src=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/toggl-mjtweaver\/img\/brain.png\" alt=\"Top tips to enlarge those brains\" aria-label=\"Top tips to enlarge those brains\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" loading=\"lazy\">    \n                    <span>Top tip:<\/span>\n                <\/span>\n            \n            <div class=\"bg-yellow-30 border-t-[3px] border-yellow-100 px-6 pt-6 pb-2\"><p><strong><span data-color=\"transparent\">Explain the purpose of such tests. <\/span><\/strong><span data-color=\"transparent\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cipd.org\/globalassets\/media\/knowledge\/knowledge-hub\/evidence-reviews\/2023-pdfs\/fair-selection-evidence-scientific-summary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\"><u>recent study<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\"> found that candidates perceive different job assessments as more fair when the managers explain how these match the job requirements. Doing so helps reduce candidate drop-off rates at the early stage of your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/recruiting-funnel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\">recruitment funnel<\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\"> and promotes a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/candidate-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\">better candidate experience<\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">3. Reliability<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Reliable employees are consistent and dependable. They do exactly what they say they&#8217;ll do and never bail on an important deadline, task, or other commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reliability in this sense is also related to time management, as a reliable employee manages their time well, making them more efficient and a better investment when hiring. Time is money, and frankly, the more a (reliable) employee can do within 8 working hours, the&nbsp;better your return on investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">On average, an unplanned absence causes a <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.personneltoday.com\/hr\/sickness-absence-rates-2023-cipd-simplyhealth\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>36.6% dip<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> in productivity.&nbsp;So, you don&#8217;t want people on your team who disappear for vague &#8220;personal reasons&#8221; or clock off when the rest of the team is struggling to complete a project.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, you want a great employee who is reliable, <span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">meaning they excel both in personal time management by completing tasks on time and doing their part in shared work. This kind of ideal employee also requires less supervision, allowing managers to focus on proactive mentoring rather than helicopter management.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for reliability<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The best way to assess reliability is by assessing the person\u2019s \u201cproxy\u201d qualities like integrity, time management, and overall motivation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">When conducting a<\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> <u>structured interview<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">,&nbsp;try to understand how the person performed in their past job. To get the most honest responses, ask indirect questions like:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Share an example of when you made a mistake in the workplace and owned up to it.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Have you ever done something against company policy? If so, explain why.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Have you ever failed to meet your employer\u2019s expectations, and why do you think this happened?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">4. Critical thinking<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Critical thinking is a collection of cognitive abilities that help you assess and synthesize information, build logical arguments, and make sound judgments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Instead of taking information for as-in, you can mentally check it for inconsistencies, fallacies, and conscious and <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/unconscious-bias\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>unconscious bias<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">. It makes up the bulk of a good worker&#8217;s problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills \u2014 which are required for success in almost every role.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/publications\/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023\/in-full\/4-skills-outlook\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>World Economic Forum<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> ranked analytical and creative thinking as the top core skills for employees to have. However, 39% of employers named critical thinking as the most lacking quality among candidates, according to a <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ziprecruiter.com\/blog\/skills-hiring-report\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>2023 survey by ZipRecruiter<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes this so important on the list of good qualities of a standout employee is that individuals with<span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> reflective thinking abilities, also called \u201c<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/meta-skills\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>metacognition skills<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>,<\/u>\u201d are highly intentional with their thoughts and can effectively regulate them (i.e., not allow personal life matters to affect their performance).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Moreover, they can employ more diverse thinking strategies to identify problems, analyze industry trends, or prioritize strategic action without resorting to irrational \u201cgut\u201d feelings. Overall, potential hires with strong critical thinking skills are also easier to train, and they often end up showing higher leadership potential.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for critical thinking<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">To identify applicants with high critical thinking skills, you can administer short <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/hire\/test-library\/problem-solving-skills-test\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>problem-solving skills tests<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> designed to test either their general cognitive abilities or logical reasoning. Such tests work great for entry-level roles when you&#8217;re looking for good employees to nurture.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For more senior roles, consider giving out a <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>homework assignment<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> or case study specific to the role. For example, you may ask a product manager to explain:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udcac <em><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">\u201cHow will you generate 10k new monthly customers in 6 months? You have a budget of $100k and the ability to bring 5 people on the team. You can also choose between launching a new product feature or scaling an existing one.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Other effective ways to<\/span> <span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>test critical thinking skills<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> include mock case studies, technical interviews, or group role-playing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">5. Honesty<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">An honest employee is transparent, sincere, and straightforward. They\u2019re forthcoming in their communication and refrain from drama or office politics.&nbsp;They&#8217;re also more likely to develop positive relationships with other employees and contribute to a more positive work environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Honesty defines good employees as it fosters trust, integrity, and open communication within the workplace. It ensures transparency, ethical behavior, and accountability, laying the foundation for a strong and successful team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">However, before you engrave \u201cradical candor\u201d into your corporate culture manifesto, check if the current environment is conducive to consistent honesty.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Are your managers open to hearing contrarian opinions and constructive criticism? Do you provide sufficient psychological safety to allow people to freely express their thoughts and feelings without any fear of judgment or repercussions?&nbsp;The best employees will look for this when interviewing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for honesty<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Honesty is a tough characteristic to measure, as people like to exaggerate their achievements or overstate the length of employment.&nbsp;You can weed out such applicants by asking for references and casually chatting up their former colleagues or superiors on LinkedIn.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Inconsistencies in job history or experience levels are also easy to notice during interviews, especially if you ask repetitive questions like &#8220;How long have you been with company X?&#8221; and then rephrase it as &#8220;So you have X years of experience in the said industry?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8\">\n            <span class=\"block text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">Further Reading:<\/span>\n            <div class=\"border-t-[3px] border-b border-yellow-100 py-4 pb-2 lg:grid lg:gap-8\">\n                                    <div class=\"mb-4 lg:mb-2\">\n                        <a class=\"flex items-center hover:italic hover:text-dark-purple-80\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/100-soft-skills-questions-to-help-you-hire-top-talent\" title=\"100+ Soft Skills Interview Questions to Use for Hiring\" aria-label=\"100+ Soft Skills Interview Questions to Use for Hiring\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-full w-14 h-14 mr-4 object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/100-SOFT-SKILLS-QUESTIONS-112x67.png\" alt=\"100+ Soft Skills Interview Questions to Use for Hiring\" width=\"56\" height=\"56\">\n                            <span class=\"font-semibold font-heading leading-snug\">100+ Soft Skills Interview Questions to Use for Hiring<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">6. Integrity<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A good employee with strong integrity abides by their personal core values and always acts with ethical considerations in mind. They tend to avoid \u201cgray zones\u201d or risky moves that may involve slight rule-bending, even if this could cast them in a better light.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ey.com\/en_be\/forensic-integrity-services\/how-a-focus-on-governance-can-help-reimagine-corporate-integrity\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">third of business leaders<\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> say behaving with ethical standards is an important characteristic of integrity, while half (50%) name compliance with laws, regulations, and codes of conduct as an important characteristic.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Fundamentally, integrity assumes both compliance with the organizational core values and operating principles, plus an internal drive to do the right thing when pressed with an ethical dilemma.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8 top-tip\">\n            \n                            <span class=\"flex items-center text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"!w-6 !h-6 !object-contain mr-2\" src=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/toggl-mjtweaver\/img\/brain.png\" alt=\"Top tips to enlarge those brains\" aria-label=\"Top tips to enlarge those brains\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" loading=\"lazy\">    \n                    <span>Top tip:<\/span>\n                <\/span>\n            \n            <div class=\"bg-yellow-30 border-t-[3px] border-yellow-100 px-6 pt-6 pb-2\"><p><span data-color=\"transparent\">Apart from hiring people with strong moral principles, ensure new employees get debriefed on how your company makes decisions, practices ethical behaviors, and promotes transparency. This will help <strong>foster a culture of trust and honesty<\/strong> and lead to optimistic workers who deliver high-quality work.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for integrity<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Aside from checking references, here are some questions you can ask potential employees:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Share an example of when you stood up for your beliefs in the workplace.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Tell us of an instance when you took the lead by setting an example for others.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Have you ever had to lie in your previous position? If yes, why did you do it?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Imagine you have accidentally gained access to sensitive corporate information. How would you handle the situation?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">If you\u2019ve found that your colleague has been acting unethically, what would you do?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Experts agree that <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/fortune.com\/2015\/08\/11\/hiring-integrity-test\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>testing for integrity is really difficult<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">, so take a look at previous work history and do a background check if you have doubts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">7. Self-awareness<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Self-aware people have a good grasp of their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, emotions, and general behaviors. They know how their perceptions and actions can affect others and can easily moderate their behavior in different social contexts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Self-awareness, along with empathy and social skills, make up emotional intelligence (EQ) \u2014 one of the best qualities of a good employee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Self-aware people tend to be better communicators and stronger team players. A high level of self-awareness also leads to a better ability to handle conflict, meaning they avoid confrontation when their emotions run high and approach the matter later from a clear-headed place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The Center for Creative Leadership found that <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/irp.cdn-website.com\/a974e6d9\/files\/uploaded\/PPG2-EQ-Web.pdf\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>75% of careers<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> get derailed for reasons related to emotional competencies, like the inability to handle interpersonal problems, unsatisfactory team leadership during times of difficulty or conflict, or the inability to adapt to change or elicit trust.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for self-awareness<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>Emotional intelligence tests<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> have become popular. Many, however, lack scientific validity or don\u2019t cover workplace behaviors, so it may be better to use <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/soft-skills-assessment-test\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>soft skills assessments<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> instead.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">You can also pre-screen candidates for self-awareness or emotional maturity by asking questions like &#8220;How do you typically cope with stress and performance anxiety?&#8221; or even &#8220;What was some negative feedback you\u2019ve received? How did you react, and what have you learned from it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8\">\n            <span class=\"block text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">Further Reading:<\/span>\n            <div class=\"border-t-[3px] border-b border-yellow-100 py-4 pb-2 lg:grid lg:gap-8\">\n                                    <div class=\"mb-4 lg:mb-2\">\n                        <a class=\"flex items-center hover:italic hover:text-dark-purple-80\" href=\"\" title=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-full w-14 h-14 mr-4 object-cover\" src=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"56\" height=\"56\">\n                            <span class=\"font-semibold font-heading leading-snug\"><\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">8. Detail-oriented<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/how-to-assess-attention-to-detail-in-job-applicants\" title=\"detail-oriented\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">detail-oriented<\/a> means having a knack for spotting the tiny but oh-so-important details that others might miss. <span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Detail-oriented workers are thorough, precise, and accurate in their work. They require minimal supervision and can be fully relied upon.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In industries like finance, healthcare, life sciences, or engineering, among others, a missed coma or an omitted instruction can turn into a major mishap, making attention to detail top among the good qualities of a great employee.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">One unfortunate junior software developer managed to <a href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/999495\/the-tech-world-is-rallying-around-a-young-developer-who-made-a-huge-embarrassing-mistake\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wipe all data<\/a> from the company\u2019s production database on their first day due to a copy-paste error, for example. Over the years, human errors have caused numerous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/air-traffic-control-chaos-how-human-error-can-lead-a-tiny-glitch-to-spiral-out-of-control-212742\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>air traffic control incidents<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> and an assortment of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Xbox\/status\/1462911775020662785\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>mildly embarrassing advertising typos<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Employees with high attention to detail help catch those mistakes before they go public or lead to bigger issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for detail-oriented qualities<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The first obvious pre-screener: Detail-oriented employees will never send an email or submit an application form with typos or missing information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Some other ways to identify candidates with high attention to detail include skill assessment tests, portfolio reviews, and structured interviews.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8\">\n            <span class=\"block text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">Further Reading:<\/span>\n            <div class=\"border-t-[3px] border-b border-yellow-100 py-4 pb-2 lg:grid lg:gap-8\">\n                                    <div class=\"mb-4 lg:mb-2\">\n                        <a class=\"flex items-center hover:italic hover:text-dark-purple-80\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/how-to-assess-attention-to-detail-in-job-applicants\" title=\"How to Assess Attention to Detail in Job Applicants\" aria-label=\"How to Assess Attention to Detail in Job Applicants\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-full w-14 h-14 mr-4 object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/How-to-assess-attention-to-detail-112x67.png\" alt=\"How to Assess Attention to Detail in Job Applicants\" width=\"56\" height=\"56\">\n                            <span class=\"font-semibold font-heading leading-snug\">How to Assess Attention to Detail in Job Applicants<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">9. Leadership<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Leadership qualities can be both innate and acquired. As a trait, natural leaders tend to be charismatic, selfless, decisive, and slightly magnetic \u2014 these are people you feel at ease with almost immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Leadership skills, in turn, can be developed through a combination of work experiences and professional training. These include strategic thinking, adaptability, mentorship, and strong decision-making skills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shu.edu\/leadership\/news\/future-of-leadership-survey-2023.html\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>study by Seton Hall University<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> analyzed how top leadership qualities change by country. North American employees, for example, prefer leaders with strong critical thinking skills, while Asian employees value managers who can attract, develop, and nurture the right talent.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">What\u2019s universal, though, is that companies need better leaders. In 2023, \u201cleader and manager effectiveness\u201d was the top cited organizational priority for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2022-10-12-gartner-survey-reveals-leader-and-manager-effectiveness-tops-hr-leaders-list-of-priorities-for-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">60% of HR professionals<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">More specifically, employees now expect more modern management styles driven by authenticity, empathy, and adaptivity rather than the rigid, top-bottom chain of command.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for leadership skills<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Depending on the role, industry, and seniority level, leaders may need to display various skills and traits, ranging from strong business acumen and commercial awareness to soft skills like team-building, negotiation, or consensus-building.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">You can then <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/evaluate-leadership-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>evaluate the candidate\u2019s leadership potential<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> by testing for identified soft and hard skills or with situational interviews.&nbsp;<\/span>It also helps to understand what kind of leader your team needs to help look for more specific qualities during the interview process. Here are a few. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Leadership Style<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Autocratic<\/strong><\/td><td>Leaders make decisions independently without much input from others.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bureaucratic<\/strong><\/td><td>Listens to the employees\u2019 input but may reject it if it doesn\u2019t align with company policy or past practices.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Coaching<\/strong><\/td><td>Focuses on identifying the individual strengths of each team member and emphasizes individual employees&#8217; success.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Democratic\/Participative<\/strong><\/td><td>Involves team in decisions and seeks input and feedback, effectively building trust and engagement.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Laissez-Faire\/Delegative<\/strong><\/td><td>Gives team autonomy and minimal guidance. This works with skilled and motivated teams.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Authoritative\/Transformational<\/strong><\/td><td>Inspires and motivates the team with vision and goals to develop members and drive change.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Charismatic<\/strong><\/td><td>Inspires and motivates with personality and charm to build strong emotional connections with the team.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Strategic<\/strong><\/td><td>Uses vision, competitive awareness, and adaptability to manage teams and achieve business goals.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">10. Confidence<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Confident people don&#8217;t overthink or second-guess their judgments. Thanks to a positive self-image and a strong sense of self-efficacy, they can get even the most challenging work done without constantly seeking support or approval from co-workers or superiors.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC9875080\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>study<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> performed by higher educational institutions in Spain found a direct link between high employee self-esteem and productivity. Confident faculty did better in their job and accomplished more staff.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The results also apply to other industries. After all, an employee who lacks confidence will struggle with decision-makers, which would further aggravate their performance problems.&nbsp;So look for people who already feel confident both in their current skill set and the ability to master new competencies.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for confidence<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Timidness and insecurity will likely come off during the first interview, especially when you get scrambled answers to standard interview questions like \u201cWhat are your strengths?\u201d or \u201cWhat sets you apart from other applicants?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Although hiring an employee with low confidence isn\u2019t a deal breaker, you\u2019ll have to invest some extra time to help them find a stronger footing in their new role.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">11. Dedication<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Dedication comes from a mix of intrinsic motivation to do a certain type of work, combined with external validation in the form of regular praise, positive performance reviews, and, of course, smooth career progression.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Dedicated employees don\u2019t mind going above and beyond the demand of their roles, often helping their peers and taking on extra tasks. Just the type everyone wants to see on their team, right?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Dedicated employees are hard-working and engaged. You don\u2019t need to nag them to do their part. However, dedication sometimes gets confused with passion.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Passionate employees are also uber-enthusiastic about their work, but their zeal may blow out.&nbsp;Committed employees, in contrast, also have strong work ethics and high personal integrity. Apart from doing something out of favor, they also complete work because they feel accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Your goal is to look for the latter in your <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>talent pool<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for dedication<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Dedicated, committed employees rarely job-hop. They&#8217;re more likely to stay (and get promoted) with one employer, so that&#8217;s one sign to look for.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">That said, with many people opting for nontraditional careers \u2014 freelancing, gig work, fractional positions \u2014 devoted employees can be also more drawn to a specific type of work rather than a company.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For example, someone working for 10+ years as a UX designer is likely dedicated to their craft and may be less interested in adjacent roles in UX research or interaction design.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">12. Autonomy<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Autonomous employees keep things cracking with or without the direct presence of others in their vicinity (or in their Slack inbox). They&#8217;re self-reliant, solve problems independently, and can set and complete personal or professional goals without excessive external direction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Employees want greater autonomy and flexibility, with <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ey.com\/en_gl\/news\/2021\/05\/more-than-half-of-employees-globally-would-quit-their-jobs-if-not-provided-post-pandemic-flexibility-ey-survey-finds\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>76%<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> willing to quit their jobs if their employer rolls back remote work flexibility. However, less than <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2023-10-23-gartner-rhr-keynote-unlocking-human-performance\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>two-thirds (63%)<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> of organizations trust their employees to keep doing good work without micromanaging.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The balance is, as always, somewhere in the middle. Remote flexible work especially requires both the right organizational practices and cultural mindset, plus great employees with the right qualities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">If you want to have self-sufficient, independent, strong performers, you\u2019ll have to create the right environment for them. At the same time, hiring people who thrive in high-touch, team-driven environments to work autonomously most of the time can lead to higher attrition.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for autonomy<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">People with a past track record of remote roles and\/or independent contractor projects are more likely to show high autonomy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In other cases, try asking questions like, &#8220;Please share an example of a new task you\u2019ve completed without direct supervision. How did you approach it?&#8221; Another great question to test remote workers for autonomy is, &#8220;How do you typically plan your workday and decide which tasks to focus on?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">13. Adaptability<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Your capacity to adjust to changing circumstances and lingering uncertainties represents adaptability.&nbsp;Whether it\u2019s ChatGPT going after your job or fickle consumer preferences eroding the demand for your service, great employees can roll with the punches and emerge on top.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-align-center\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Over 70% of employees name \u201cbeing adaptable\/flexible\u201d as an important skill for their career over the next five years.<\/span><\/p>\n<cite><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/sg\/en\/publications\/hopes-and-fears.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>PwC<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">From automation and generative AI to digital therapeutics, technologies are changing the way we work in almost every sector. Employees who struggle to adapt to these changes are at risk of becoming an organizational burden.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Already, many sectors are facing a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/skills-mismatch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>skills mismatch<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> \u2014 a growing gap between the skills their company needs and the ones employees have. People with high adaptability are more inclined to complete upskilling or reskilling programs to gain new competencies to navigate tough times and industry ebbs and flows.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for adaptability<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Ask about previous experience with change:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Did you ever change careers or industries in the past? Why did you decide to do so?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Tell me about a time when the project priorities changed mid-way. How did you break the news to the team?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How did you adapt to the remote work policy when it was first enacted?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Have you ever performed a task outside of your role? How did you approach it?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Have you had to cope with a major change in your life?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">The answers to these questions can give you a sense of how flexible and adaptable is a potential employee.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">14. Positive attitude<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">People with a positive attitude are naturally more optimistic and approach new challenges with resilience. For them, a setback is an opportunity for growth and a catalyst for understanding new perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/losangeles\/news\/survey-finds-90-percent-of-americans-have-a-co-worker-who-annoys-them\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>90%<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> of people have a co-worker who annoys them, and 57% have even considered quitting their job because of such an unsavory type.&nbsp;Employees with a great attitude are less likely to become the reason for workplace conflicts.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">On the contrary, their cheerful demeanor can often help defuse tensions, plus it helps increase the morale of others. Such people are also highly coachable and eager to share their knowledge with others.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for attitude<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">You can get a good sense of a candidate\u2019s attitude during a culture-fit interview. Try asking the next <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/personality-questions-for-interview\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>personality questions<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> to reveal the candidates\u2019 traits:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How do you contribute to fostering a positive team environment?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How do you stay enthusiastic when assigned a mundane task?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Tell about a time you had to share some difficult feedback with a colleague.<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Asking such questions should help you get a better sense of the candidate\u2019s life outlook and overall demeanor.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">15. Results-oriented<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Results-oriented people are strong-headed and love going after concrete outcomes. They\u2019re good at setting SMART goals and figuring out the best ways to achieve them.&nbsp;This quality reflects a proactive and determined approach to task management, emphasizing effectiveness and accomplishment, which makes an ideal employee for many positions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Result-oriented are excellent hires for roles in sales, marketing, and executive positions, where they can drive quantifiable, continued success.&nbsp;They\u2019re keen on hitting the set KPIs and thrive under extrinsic motivation \u2014 performance-based bonuses, leaderboards, and public feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for results-oriented qualities<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">You can get a good sense of the employees\u2019 result-oriented abilities by providing them with various problem-solving assessments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For example, you can give away <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/hire\/homework-assignments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>homework assignments<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> with hypothetical workplace scenarios, requiring them to achieve a specific result (e.g., increase sign-up rates for a SaaS product by 15% or increase sales volumes by 20%).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">16. Teachable<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Teachable people are open and proactive in absorbing new knowledge, whether through mentoring, academic coursework, or casual exchanges with peers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">You&#8217;ll find them frequently learning new stuff via YouTube, chatting with their colleagues about doing things better, or completing various professional certifications.&nbsp;Such people often seek out proactive feedback and guidance to become better in whatever it is they\u2019re doing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A teachable attitude promotes personal growth, effective collaboration, and continuous improvement \u2014 all important qualities in the modern workplace.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">For example, new technologies have disrupted many roles and professions, forcing people to rethink how they approach task execution. <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcg.com\/publications\/2022\/shifting-skills-moving-targets-remaking-workforce\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>BCG research<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> found that across many roles, the share of the top 20 requested skills by hiring managers has changed by 10% to 46% over the past five years.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Teachable employees are more eager to embrace new ways of working \u2014 be it using a project management app or operating autonomous manufacturing equipment. They&#8217;re also easier to upskill and reskill to support your <\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>workforce planning activities<\/u><\/span><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for being teachable<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A good indicator of this quality could be a good collection of completed courses and certifications listed on the person\u2019s LinkedIn profile. Similarly, you can recognize an eager learner and teachable employee by seeing how they receive and implement feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">17. Optimistic<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Optimistic employees focus more on positive outcomes and opportunities than temporary challenges and setbacks. They&#8217;re motivated to keep going because they&#8217;re certain success awaits them just around the corner.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Similar to people with a positive outlook, optimists contribute to creating an uplifting work culture. Their enthusiasm inspires others to also act with more certainty and dedication.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">In fact, a <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.leadershipiq.com\/blogs\/leadershipiq\/employee-engagement-is-less-dependent-on-managers-than-you-think\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>study by Leadership IQ<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> found that optimistic employees are 103% more inspired to give their best effort at work than workers with low optimism. However, the same study claims that only 13% of workers tend to have high optimism levels, while 33% maintain low or moderately low optimism.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for being optimistic<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">A <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/personality-tests-for-hiring\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>personality test<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> can indicate whether someone is optimistic or pessimistic.&nbsp;However, <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/014920639602200103\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>studies<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> also show that such tests are inconclusive as the same person can get widely different results each time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Your best bet is to use a mix of <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/toggl.com\/blog\/behavioral-interview-questions\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>behavioral interview questions<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> to better understand how the person acts and thinks in different circumstances.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">18. Humility<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Humble people are modest and unpretentious. They don\u2019t think they&#8217;re naturally better than everyone else and openly acknowledge their personal shortcomings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Humility also involves a high degree of self-awareness and openness to new ideas. Employees who are humble are more receptive to feedback and recognize the value other people bring to their workplace. They\u2019re more likely to be strong team players, dependable associates, and great leaders.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Humble people become effective leaders, with a <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/creativityjournals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Chun-Yang-Lee-and-Aichia-Chuang-2-3.pdf\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>recent study<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> of tech teams revealing that humble leaders help employees develop a better perception of themselves, which in turn, increases teams\u2019 productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Another <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2020.571840\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>study<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> also suggests that a humble leadership model also improves overall employee well-being, while yet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0191886911000146?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u><em>another <\/em>study<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> also named humility as a unique predictor of high job performance.&nbsp;Bottom line? Humble people are great to have onboard.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for humility<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Humility can naturally come across in conversations, especially if you encourage the candidate to self-reflect on their recent accomplishments or ask to talk about the mistakes they\u2019ve ever made in their career.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Some good questions to ask:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Did you ever make a big mistake at your job? How did you handle this, and what did you learn in the process?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Can you please walk us through this project on your resume? What was your contribution, and how did others support you?<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How do you usually give feedback to others? Can you give me an example?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udd25 <\/strong><em><strong>Did you know?<\/strong> In psychology, the six intrapersonal aspects of humility are a willingness to see ourselves truthfully, an accurate perception of our places in the world, an ability to acknowledge our mistakes and limitations, openness, and low self-focus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">19. Tech-savvy<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Nearly every job today requires technical or hard skills. For some roles, it could be basic knowledge of office software and teleconference apps. For others \u2014 first-hand experience with coding tools, knowledge of connected hardware, or enterprise cloud platforms.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Almost <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/ai-could-automate-25-of-all-jobs-heres-which-are-most-and-least-at-risk\/\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>18% of the global workforce<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> could be automated as new technologies like machine learning,&nbsp; generative AI, and industrial IoT take over business processes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Emerging technologies displace the demand for certain skills while augmenting for others. <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2023-03-07-do-recent-layoffs-mean-the-tech-talent-crunch-is-over\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>Gartner<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> found that even despite the layoffs,&nbsp;larger tech companies still employ over 150,000 more people in total than at the beginning of 2020.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Effectively, technologies have become the synonym of innovation and most companies are trying to get as much of an edge as possible by hiring tech-savvy people.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for tech skills<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Practical assessments like short role-specific pre-employment tests or longer homework assignments are the best assessment methods for skills related to being tech-savvy.&nbsp;Coding challenges, pair programming sessions, and technical interviews with senior IT specialists are also excellent methods.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8\">\n            <span class=\"block text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">Further Reading:<\/span>\n            <div class=\"border-t-[3px] border-b border-yellow-100 py-4 pb-2 lg:grid lg:gap-8\">\n                                    <div class=\"mb-4 lg:mb-2\">\n                        <a class=\"flex items-center hover:italic hover:text-dark-purple-80\" href=\"\" title=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-full w-14 h-14 mr-4 object-cover\" src=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"56\" height=\"56\">\n                            <span class=\"font-semibold font-heading leading-snug\"><\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">20. Engaged<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Engaged employees have a deep sense of involvement in their role. They\u2019re proactive, contributing to higher personal productivity and job satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Why it&#8217;s important<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Nearly <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gallup.com\/workplace\/349484\/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx#ite-506891\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>six in ten<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> employees are physiologically disengaged from their work, and <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gallup.com\/workplace\/349484\/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx#ite-506891\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Gallup<\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> reports that the problem of low engagement costs $8.8 trillion, or 9% of global GDP.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Engaged employees, on the contrary, are more likely to stay with their current company, go above and beyond at work, and contribute 15% more effort than their disengaged peers, <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/newsroom\/press-releases\/2023-08-23---gartner-hr-survey-finds-within-the-last-12-months--\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"><u>Gartner<\/u><\/span><\/a><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\"> found.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">How to assess employees for engagement<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Human resource managers evaluate employee engagement levels via anonymous general surveys or 360-degree feedback tools administered team by team.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">But if you want to figure out if the particular applicant will show high levels of engagement, chat them up about the reasons for applying to this job. What made them particularly excited about the role? What do they know about the company and its values? How do they feel about the culture?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-color=\"transparent\" style=\"background-color: transparent;color: inherit\">Prioritize people who did their research and can name at least several factors that attracted them to your company.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"mb-8\">\n            <span class=\"block text-dark-purple-100 opacity-60 uppercase mb-2 text-sm font-bold\">Further Reading:<\/span>\n            <div class=\"border-t-[3px] border-b border-yellow-100 py-4 pb-2 lg:grid lg:gap-8\">\n                                    <div class=\"mb-4 lg:mb-2\">\n                        <a class=\"flex items-center hover:italic hover:text-dark-purple-80\" href=\"\" title=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-full w-14 h-14 mr-4 object-cover\" src=\"\" alt=\"\" width=\"56\" height=\"56\">\n                            <span class=\"font-semibold font-heading leading-snug\"><\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ask 10 different managers about the defining qualities of a good employee, and you\u2019ll probably get 10 different answers. 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