characteristics of a good worker essay

Admirable Qualities of a Good Employee Essay

Global companies are looking for a versatile employee who, along with professional competencies, has sufficiently developed soft skills. This is not surprising, because in global companies the employee will work with representatives of different ethnic groups, which can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. Such companies face cultural and language barriers, which disrupts effective communication. Therefore, the competencies listed on the slide are what companies are looking for in a job seeker first, after developed professional competencies.

Completed education level and multiple academic achievements guarantee my professionalism. However, I am also good at what a global company needs. I am well aware that every employee carries his own cultural baggage, but since he works for this company, his competencies and skills are acceptable. I am tolerant of anyone who demonstrates professionalism and adherence to ethical guidelines. The company will see me as someone who does not get into conflicts, controls emotions and understands responsibility for every action, in addition to quality tasks.

But that’s not all I can be useful to the company. I understand how dynamic the world is, and how many discoveries are made every year. I am flexible to and understand the importance of these changes, have advanced digital literacy, and know all about employee cybersecurity measures. I am constantly striving to develop, and working at the company is a valuable tool for me to develop my personal skills and competencies.

Additionally, I have experience both in multinational companies and in teams where there were not only Americans, but also Indians, Japanese, Mexicans and Europeans. In all the time I worked with them, I never had a conflict, but I created a friendly relationship with everyone, supporting them and motivating them. This is one of the reasons why I have never been fired involuntarily, and I have associated my departures from the workplace with reaching the top in organizational development or closing down the company.

When I get to work, I will start by learning and building relationships, as I understand how important this will be next. I will read all job descriptions and manuals, ask the manager questions, and show myself to be a proactive and meticulous professional. As proof of my competence, I ensure that I always check my completed tasks and make no mistakes, which saves the company time and money to correct.

Medhi, B. (2022). 10 admirable qualities of a good employee . VantageCircle. Web.

Piacquadio, A. (2020). Diverse coworkers of different ages working in office . Pexels. Web.

Freepik. (n.d.). Flag on mountain images . Freepik.Web.

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20 Key Qualities of a Good Employee & How to Test Them

Ask 10 different managers about the defining qualities of a good employee, and you’ll probably get 10 different answers. That’s because what ultimately defines the “right fit” can mean different things across different roles, companies, and industries.

Many businesses, however, are looking for some common traits in their employees. Whether you’re hiring a manager , developer, or entry-level assistant, here are the essential soft skills and personality attributes any good employee should have. 

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

What makes a good employee can vary greatly according to the type of role, company, culture, etc. Generally, a good employee possesses a mix of job-specific hard skills, soft skills, and certain personality attributes.  

Qualities are innate characteristics or traits a person has. Skills are acquired through training or work experience. Both are important screening criteria. 

Some of the key qualities of a good employee include strong communication and teamwork skills, a high degree of self-awareness, humility, integrity, confidence, and dedication. In total, we identified 20 top qualities.

Using skills assessment tests 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. 

What makes a great employee?

While there’s no single definition of a great employee, there are some key qualities that employers prioritize. Combined with the necessary hard skills 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.

Many job-specific and technical skills can be cultivated with professional development — but certain qualities help employees build up their acumen faster, no matter the sector or role. McKinsey calls these ‘ foundational skills ‘ — cognitive, digital, interpersonal, and self-leadership abilities that help employees develop specialized skills. McKinsey  

People with strong foundational skills (which people are calling power skills 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 high emotional intelligence are essential to great management and serve as a strong predictor of employee performance .

So the next time you hire employees , think about both the skills and qualities 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.

Qualities vs. skills

A quality is an innate characteristic or personality trait you have. A skill is a learned ability you develop through training or work experience .

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’s also funny and considerate, so people are naturally drawn to her. Layla’s confident speaking and active listening are skills, while a good sense of humor and empathy are her personality traits or qualities. 

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’ soft and hard skills, plus personality traits, with different pre-employment testing methods .

20 key qualities of a good employee

The majority of hiring managers (84%) agree that new employees must have strong soft skills and demonstrate them in the hiring process. What are those soft skills and good qualities, though? Here are 20 ideal qualities of a good employee who’ll be a great asset to any team.

1. Communication

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. Apart from doing their work well, effective communicators also tend to be better team players and demonstrate higher leadership potential. 

Why it’s important

A great employee with excellent communication skills conveys their thoughts well, has great listening skills, can reach a common ground easily, and understands others’ points of view.  People who are great communicators are also statistically more likely to excel in management and personal efficiency and be engaged in the workplace . 

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 employee engagement and high turnover.

Trusting employees are 260% more motivated to work, have 41% lower rates of absenteeism, and are 50% less likely to look for another job.  Deloitte

How to assess employees for communication skills

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. 

For a deeper take, administer a pre-screening communication skills test featuring questions to assess the applicant’s communication style, active listening abilities, and verbal communication skills.

A great free text question to test communication skills might be, “Tell me about a conflict with a team member you had in the workplace. How did you solve it?” Or, you could ask them, “You need to explain a complicated issue to a co-worker. How do you go about it?”

2. Teamwork

Effective teamwork includes qualities like active listening, accountability, empathy, adaptability, and consensus-building. 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. 

Being a team player is important for 37% of employees , and 97% of employers believe that a lack of alignment influences the chances of success for a project.

Team players are also able to work in groups to boost internal efficiency. Groups of three to five individuals outperform individuals on complex tasks by processing information more effectively, generating fresh ideas, rejecting erroneous responses, and finding the correct solution.

How to assess employees for teamwork

Teamwork skills shine through during collaboration. So the best way to assess these are practical job simulations like: 

In-basket/in-tray exercises

Role-playing simulation

Open-ended homework assignments

Situational judgment test 

In each case, give candidates a mock situation they may experience at the job. For example, ask them to explain how they’d 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.

Explain the purpose of such tests. A recent study 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 recruitment funnel and promotes a better candidate experience . 

3. Reliability

Reliable employees are consistent and dependable. They do exactly what they say they’ll do and never bail on an important deadline, task, or other commitment.

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 better your return on investment.

On average, an unplanned absence causes a 36.6% dip in productivity. So, you don’t want people on your team who disappear for vague “personal reasons” or clock off when the rest of the team is struggling to complete a project.

Instead, you want a great employee who is reliable, 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.

How to assess employees for reliability

The best way to assess reliability is by assessing the person’s “proxy” qualities like integrity, time management, and overall motivation.

When conducting a structured interview , try to understand how the person performed in their past job. To get the most honest responses, ask indirect questions like:

Share an example of when you made a mistake in the workplace and owned up to it.

Have you ever done something against company policy? If so, explain why.

Have you ever failed to meet your employer’s expectations, and why do you think this happened?

You can also evaluate the person’s reliability by testing their time management skills with a short pre-assessment employment test . Ask questions about their ability to set and achieve goals, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks.

4. Critical thinking

Critical thinking is a collection of cognitive abilities that help you assess and synthesize information, build logical arguments, and make sound judgments.

Instead of taking information for as-in, you can mentally check it for inconsistencies, fallacies, and conscious and unconscious bias . It makes up the bulk of a good worker’s problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills — which are required for success in almost every role. 

The World Economic Forum 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 2023 survey by ZipRecruiter .

What makes this so important on the list of good qualities of a standout employee is that individuals with reflective thinking abilities, also called “ metacognition skills , ” are highly intentional with their thoughts and can effectively regulate them (i.e., not allow personal life matters to affect their performance).

Moreover, they can employ more diverse thinking strategies to identify problems, analyze industry trends, or prioritize strategic action without resorting to irrational “gut” feelings. Overall, potential hires with strong critical thinking skills are also easier to train, and they often end up showing higher leadership potential.

How to assess employees for critical thinking

To identify applicants with high critical thinking skills, you can administer short problem-solving skills tests designed to test either their general cognitive abilities or logical reasoning. Such tests work great for entry-level roles when you’re looking for good employees to nurture. 

For more senior roles, consider giving out a homework assignment or case study specific to the role. For example, you may ask a product manager to explain: 

💬 “How 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.”

Other effective ways to test critical thinking skills include mock case studies, technical interviews, or group role-playing. 

An honest employee is transparent, sincere, and straightforward. They’re forthcoming in their communication and refrain from drama or office politics. They’re also more likely to develop positive relationships with other employees and contribute to a more positive work environment.  

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.

However, before you engrave “radical candor” into your corporate culture manifesto, check if the current environment is conducive to consistent honesty.

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? The best employees will look for this when interviewing.

How to assess employees for honesty

Honesty is a tough characteristic to measure, as people like to exaggerate their achievements or overstate the length of employment. You can weed out such applicants by asking for references and casually chatting up their former colleagues or superiors on LinkedIn. 

Inconsistencies in job history or experience levels are also easy to notice during interviews, especially if you ask repetitive questions like “How long have you been with company X?” and then rephrase it as “So you have X years of experience in the said industry?”

6. Integrity

A good employee with strong integrity abides by their personal core values and always acts with ethical considerations in mind. They tend to avoid “gray zones” or risky moves that may involve slight rule-bending, even if this could cast them in a better light. 

A third of business leaders 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.

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.

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 foster a culture of trust and honesty and lead to optimistic workers who deliver high-quality work.

How to assess employees for integrity

Aside from checking references, here are some questions you can ask potential employees:

Share an example of when you stood up for your beliefs in the workplace.

Tell us of an instance when you took the lead by setting an example for others.

Have you ever had to lie in your previous position? If yes, why did you do it?

Imagine you have accidentally gained access to sensitive corporate information. How would you handle the situation? 

If you’ve found that your colleague has been acting unethically, what would you do?

Experts agree that testing for integrity is really difficult , so take a look at previous work history and do a background check if you have doubts. 

7. Self-awareness

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. 

Self-awareness, along with empathy and social skills, make up emotional intelligence (EQ) — one of the best qualities of a good employee.

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.

The Center for Creative Leadership found that 75% of careers 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.

How to assess employees for self-awareness

Emotional intelligence tests have become popular. Many, however, lack scientific validity or don’t cover workplace behaviors, so it may be better to use soft skills assessments instead. 

You can also pre-screen candidates for self-awareness or emotional maturity by asking questions like “How do you typically cope with stress and performance anxiety?” or even “What was some negative feedback you’ve received? How did you react, and what have you learned from it?”

8. Detail-oriented

Being detail-oriented means having a knack for spotting the tiny but oh-so-important details that others might miss. Detail-oriented workers are thorough, precise, and accurate in their work. They require minimal supervision and can be fully relied upon.

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.

One unfortunate junior software developer managed to wipe all data from the company’s production database on their first day due to a copy-paste error, for example. Over the years, human errors have caused numerous air traffic control incidents and an assortment of mildly embarrassing advertising typos . 

Employees with high attention to detail help catch those mistakes before they go public or lead to bigger issues.

How to assess employees for detail-oriented qualities

The first obvious pre-screener: Detail-oriented employees will never send an email or submit an application form with typos or missing information.

Some other ways to identify candidates with high attention to detail include skill assessment tests, portfolio reviews, and structured interviews. 

9. Leadership

Leadership qualities can be both innate and acquired. As a trait, natural leaders tend to be charismatic, selfless, decisive, and slightly magnetic — these are people you feel at ease with almost immediately.

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.

A study by Seton Hall University 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. 

What’s universal, though, is that companies need better leaders. In 2023, “leader and manager effectiveness” was the top cited organizational priority for 60% of HR professionals . 

More specifically, employees now expect more modern management styles driven by authenticity, empathy, and adaptivity rather than the rigid, top-bottom chain of command.  

How to assess employees for leadership skills

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. 

You can then evaluate the candidate’s leadership potential by testing for identified soft and hard skills or with situational interviews.  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. 👇

10. Confidence

Confident people don’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. 

A study 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.

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. So look for people who already feel confident both in their current skill set and the ability to master new competencies. 

How to assess employees for confidence

Timidness and insecurity will likely come off during the first interview, especially when you get scrambled answers to standard interview questions like “What are your strengths?” or “What sets you apart from other applicants?”

Although hiring an employee with low confidence isn’t a deal breaker, you’ll have to invest some extra time to help them find a stronger footing in their new role. 

11. Dedication

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. 

Dedicated employees don’t 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? 

Dedicated employees are hard-working and engaged. You don’t need to nag them to do their part. However, dedication sometimes gets confused with passion.

Passionate employees are also uber-enthusiastic about their work, but their zeal may blow out. 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.

Your goal is to look for the latter in your talent pool . 

How to assess employees for dedication

Dedicated, committed employees rarely job-hop. They’re more likely to stay (and get promoted) with one employer, so that’s one sign to look for.

That said, with many people opting for nontraditional careers — freelancing, gig work, fractional positions — devoted employees can be also more drawn to a specific type of work rather than a company.

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. 

12. Autonomy

Autonomous employees keep things cracking with or without the direct presence of others in their vicinity (or in their Slack inbox). They’re self-reliant, solve problems independently, and can set and complete personal or professional goals without excessive external direction.

Employees want greater autonomy and flexibility, with 76% willing to quit their jobs if their employer rolls back remote work flexibility. However, less than two-thirds (63%) of organizations trust their employees to keep doing good work without micromanaging.

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.

If you want to have self-sufficient, independent, strong performers, you’ll 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. 

How to assess employees for autonomy

People with a past track record of remote roles and/or independent contractor projects are more likely to show high autonomy.

In other cases, try asking questions like, “Please share an example of a new task you’ve completed without direct supervision. How did you approach it?” Another great question to test remote workers for autonomy is, “How do you typically plan your workday and decide which tasks to focus on?”

If you’re hiring remotely, verify remote work readiness . Determine if the new employee is suited for fully remote work with a Toggl Hire assessment . Test for adaptability, motivation, focus, and remote communication abilities with a proven test that takes only 15 minutes to create and administer.

13. Adaptability

Your capacity to adjust to changing circumstances and lingering uncertainties represents adaptability. Whether it’s 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. 

Over 70% of employees name “being adaptable/flexible” as an important skill for their career over the next five years. PwC

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. 

Already, many sectors are facing a skills mismatch — 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.

How to assess employees for adaptability

Ask about previous experience with change: 

Did you ever change careers or industries in the past? Why did you decide to do so? 

Tell me about a time when the project priorities changed mid-way. How did you break the news to the team?

How did you adapt to the remote work policy when it was first enacted?

Have you ever performed a task outside of your role? How did you approach it? 

Have you had to cope with a major change in your life?

The answers to these questions can give you a sense of how flexible and adaptable is a potential employee. 

14. Positive attitude

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.

90% of people have a co-worker who annoys them, and 57% have even considered quitting their job because of such an unsavory type. Employees with a great attitude are less likely to become the reason for workplace conflicts.

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.

How to assess employees for attitude

You can get a good sense of a candidate’s attitude during a culture-fit interview. Try asking the next personality questions to reveal the candidates’ traits: 

How do you contribute to fostering a positive team environment? 

How do you stay enthusiastic when assigned a mundane task?

Tell about a time you had to share some difficult feedback with a colleague.

Asking such questions should help you get a better sense of the candidate’s life outlook and overall demeanor. 

15. Results-oriented

Results-oriented people are strong-headed and love going after concrete outcomes. They’re good at setting SMART goals and figuring out the best ways to achieve them. This quality reflects a proactive and determined approach to task management, emphasizing effectiveness and accomplishment, which makes an ideal employee for many positions. 

Result-oriented are excellent hires for roles in sales, marketing, and executive positions, where they can drive quantifiable, continued success. They’re keen on hitting the set KPIs and thrive under extrinsic motivation — performance-based bonuses, leaderboards, and public feedback.

How to assess employees for results-oriented qualities

You can get a good sense of the employees’ result-oriented abilities by providing them with various problem-solving assessments.

For example, you can give away homework assignments 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%).

16. Teachable

Teachable people are open and proactive in absorbing new knowledge, whether through mentoring, academic coursework, or casual exchanges with peers.

You’ll find them frequently learning new stuff via YouTube, chatting with their colleagues about doing things better, or completing various professional certifications. Such people often seek out proactive feedback and guidance to become better in whatever it is they’re doing. 

A teachable attitude promotes personal growth, effective collaboration, and continuous improvement — all important qualities in the modern workplace. 

For example, new technologies have disrupted many roles and professions, forcing people to rethink how they approach task execution. BCG research 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.

Teachable employees are more eager to embrace new ways of working — be it using a project management app or operating autonomous manufacturing equipment. They’re also easier to upskill and reskill to support your workforce planning activities .  

How to assess employees for being teachable

A good indicator of this quality could be a good collection of completed courses and certifications listed on the person’s LinkedIn profile. Similarly, you can recognize an eager learner and teachable employee by seeing how they receive and implement feedback.

17. Optimistic

Optimistic employees focus more on positive outcomes and opportunities than temporary challenges and setbacks. They’re motivated to keep going because they’re certain success awaits them just around the corner. 

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. 

In fact, a study by Leadership IQ 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.

How to assess employees for being optimistic

A personality test can indicate whether someone is optimistic or pessimistic. However, studies also show that such tests are inconclusive as the same person can get widely different results each time. 

Your best bet is to use a mix of behavioral interview questions to better understand how the person acts and thinks in different circumstances.  

18. Humility

Humble people are modest and unpretentious. They don’t think they’re naturally better than everyone else and openly acknowledge their personal shortcomings.

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’re more likely to be strong team players, dependable associates, and great leaders. 

Humble people become effective leaders, with a recent study of tech teams revealing that humble leaders help employees develop a better perception of themselves, which in turn, increases teams’ productivity.

Another study also suggests that a humble leadership model also improves overall employee well-being, while yet another study also named humility as a unique predictor of high job performance. Bottom line? Humble people are great to have onboard. 

How to assess employees for humility

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’ve ever made in their career.

Some good questions to ask:

Did you ever make a big mistake at your job? How did you handle this, and what did you learn in the process?

Can you please walk us through this project on your resume? What was your contribution, and how did others support you?

How do you usually give feedback to others? Can you give me an example? 

🔥 Did you know? 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.

19. Tech-savvy

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 — first-hand experience with coding tools, knowledge of connected hardware, or enterprise cloud platforms. 

Almost 18% of the global workforce could be automated as new technologies like machine learning,  generative AI, and industrial IoT take over business processes. 

Emerging technologies displace the demand for certain skills while augmenting for others. Gartner found that even despite the layoffs, larger tech companies still employ over 150,000 more people in total than at the beginning of 2020. 

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. 

How to assess employees for tech skills

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. Coding challenges, pair programming sessions, and technical interviews with senior IT specialists are also excellent methods. 

20. Engaged

Engaged employees have a deep sense of involvement in their role. They’re proactive, contributing to higher personal productivity and job satisfaction.

Nearly six in ten employees are physiologically disengaged from their work, and Gallup reports that the problem of low engagement costs $8.8 trillion, or 9% of global GDP.

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, Gartner found. 

How to assess employees for engagement

Human resource managers evaluate employee engagement levels via anonymous general surveys or 360-degree feedback tools administered team by team. 

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?

Prioritize people who did their research and can name at least several factors that attracted them to your company. 

Hire quality employees with Toggl Hire

The best way to find out if a potential candidate has all of the qualities of a good employee is through quantitative, comparable data.

With Toggl Hire , you can easily test candidates’ soft and technical skills with customizable tests. We’ve got hundreds of pre-made tests in our test library to evaluate skills like teamwork, negotiation, the ability to work remotely, and more!

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Elena is a freelance writer, producing journalist-style content that doesn’t leave the reader asking “so what." From the future of work to the latest technology trends, she loves exploring new subjects to produce compelling and culturally relevant narratives for brands. In her corporate life, Elena successfully managed remote freelance teams and coached junior marketers.

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How to Develop a Strong Work Ethic

• Tutti Taygerly

Hiring managers want to see your motivation, can-do attitude, and dedication.

In our early career years, it can be challenging to figure out what behaviors are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. Employers are now expecting more of entry-level workers and they want to see that you have good work ethic. So what is work ethic?

• Work ethic refers to a set of moral principles, values, and attitudes around how to act at work. It often surrounds what behaviors are commonly acceptable and appropriate (or not).
• Qualities like reliability, productivity, ownership and team support all demonstrate professional integrity, or a strong commitment to ethical behavior at work. In contrast, low-quality work, tardiness, or lack of attention to details demonstrates bad work ethic.
• If you’re new to the workplace, a good way to start is by observing. Pay attention to how your coworkers behave in meetings to gain a better understanding of their “etiquette,” as well as the communication styles of different people and teams. Another essential part of building good work ethic is adopting a “do it like you own it” attitude. You can do this by being proactive in small, but powerful, ways.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Have you ever wondered about how to behave appropriately at work? Throughout your career, and especially in the early years, it’s challenging to figure out what behaviors and attitudes are and are not acceptable in different professional environments. The more you traverse companies and industries, the clearer your understanding will become. When you’re just starting out, though, it can be hard to pin down these behaviors.

• Tutti Taygerly is a leadership and executive coach with 20+ years of design experience across large companies, design agencies and startups.

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25 Key Qualities Of A Good Worker

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Summary. Important key qualities of a good worker include having a solutions-oriented mindset, someone who is reliable and arrives to work on time, and they have strong active listening skills. Other important qualities to have can be the ability to show humility, thinking outside of the box, and being kind and respectful to others.

Hiring employees with good qualities is the best way to ensure that the workplace is efficient.

This article will highlight 25 important (and yet easily missed) qualities that define a highly productive and valuable employee.

Key Takeaways:

These qualities will fall under hard skills which will be shown more and soft skills which are more subtle.

One quality that is good to have is making your voice heard during team meetings.

Having strong communication skills like active listening and and someone who is able to communicate their thoughts to a large group is a great quality to have.

The Importance of Having Key Qualities

25 common qualities of top employees, employee training tips that will boost your business, key qualities of a good worker faq.

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The definition of a “great employee” will, to some extent, vary from employer to employer. Every organization, after all, has its own unique goals. When seeking a new hire, employers look for job candidates whose skill sets are amenable to those goals.

In other words: While a job candidate’s background and skills might not be worth much to Employer A, they could be a perfect fit – and thus highly valuable – to Employer B.

Despite this employer-specific variability, several personality traits are almost always reliable indicators of a top talent employee. These are particular strengths that virtually every employer values in an employee – regardless of the industry, department, or role that they happen to work within.

As you might be able to guess, the vast majority of these qualities can be categorized as “ soft skills .” “ Hard skills ” are technical abilities such as coding and graphic design, while “soft skills” can be thought of as interpersonal skills or “people skills.”

The only downside to this is that soft skills can often be more challenging to detect. In contrast to hard skills, which can usually be measured by an aptitude test or proven through a certificate, employers and hiring managers need to be fairly perceptive and patient to detect a job candidate’s set of soft skills.

Furthermore, keep in mind that you should also keep your eye out for these qualities among your existing employees – not only among job candidates you’re interviewing for a position.

In many cases, the person that you’re looking for to fill an empty role may already be working for you. As an employer, you should always spend as much time searching for employees who deserve a promotion as you do looking for new candidates to fill empty roles.

Here are 25 examples of qualities that are common among almost every high-quality employee and job candidate:

They’re not afraid to speak up during meetings . Professional success requires a willingness to be able to advocate on one’s own behalf. Most top talent employees, in other words, are not shy about making their voices heard during a busy team meeting.

They have a solutions-oriented mindset. There are some employees who – especially during times of a crisis -– seem only to focus on the negative aspects of a situation. This quality is typically not conducive to long-term success (or happiness, for that matter).

They dress to impress . You should dress for the job you want – as the old saying goes – not the job you have. You can learn a great deal about an employee or a job candidate simply by looking at their wardrobe.

They actively pursue new opportunities. Some employees are perfectly happy staying in one place, and others will stop at nothing to advance to the next stage in their career. As a business leader , it’s this latter category that you should pay special attention to.

They don’t participate in harmful workplace gossip . Although it has taken place in virtually every workplace since the dawn of humankind, idle gossip should be avoided at all costs. Many employees know this at some level but will nonetheless participate – to the detriment of their happiness and professional relationships.

They consistently arrive to work on time. A willingness and an ability to arrive at work on time each day are more than just a sign of respect – it’s also an indicator of an employee’s readiness to level up in their career.

They have a keen attention to detail. As a team leader , you know that it’s important always to pay close attention to easily overlooked details. That’s why it’s important to carefully review and analyze the minor details of a job applicant’s resume .

They’re interested in hearing your feedback. Receiving feedback from an employer is a crucial step in advancing to the next level in one’s career. Top talent employees understand this, which is why they’ll make it a point to approach you and ask for your constructive and honest feedback .

They possess strong active listening skills . There’s an important difference between “passive” listening, on the one hand, and “active” listening on the other. An individual is practicing passive listening when hearing the sounds coming out of a person’s mouth but not genuinely making an effort to understand what’s being said.

They participate in company events and celebrations. When employees sacrifice their personal time to attend a company event, they’re communicating to their managers and their colleagues that they truly care about cultivating a strong relationship with the company.

They’re a team player. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for workplaces to become dominated by an unhealthy sense of competition or rivalry between employees. While a little healthy competition is usually not such a bad thing, it can be taken too far – to the point that it starts to degrade the quality of workplace relationships .

They stay calm, cool, and collected under pressure. Many job applicants and employees may at first appear to be strong and reliable, only to crack as soon as the real pressure starts to be applied. You may have an employee, for example, who, on the surface of things, appears to be totally competent and easygoing.

But one day, a deadline is pushed up at the last minute, and she starts panicking, telling you that there’s no way that she can get the work done in time and that she would like to be taken off of the project.

They feel comfortable using new technology. Technology is coming to play an increasingly central role in modern business, which means it’s essential to seek out tech-savvy employees.

They enjoy teaching as much as they enjoy learning. Have you noticed a particular staff member who unflinchingly rises to the occasion when it’s time to train a new employee?

They have strong communication skills. Strong communication skills are, like teaching skills, among the most essential qualities to look for in a future team leader.

They’re honest with you and with their colleagues. During your time as a manager, you’ve undoubtedly interacted with employees in the past who don’t tell you the complete truth about a situation because they’re obviously worried that the whole truth would make you upset.

They don’t think twice about going the extra mile. We’ve all had some experiences working with people who are perfectly happy to put in the minimum necessary effort. Those people, however, don’t typically climb up very far on the ladder of success. As managers, we should always be on the lookout for employees who routinely put in the extra effort at work simply because it’s in their nature to do so.

They’re aimed at self-improvement – not just maintaining the status quo. Those people mentioned above who put in the minimum necessary effort also tend to be content with the status quo. That means that they never put in a real effort to make things better for themselves , their colleagues, or their company.

They keep their finger on the pulse of current market trends. The market, by definition, is in a constant state of flux. As individuals, there is only so much that we can do to keep up with the latest market trends.

They show humility. Even if they’re immensely talented, an employee can have a net negative effect on your workplace culture if they’re excessively boastful and arrogant.

They’re unafraid to think outside of the box. Now more than ever, it’s critical for companies to bring novel solutions to emergent problems (such as climate change, the proliferation of artificial intelligence, and political division).

They represent the company well when they interact with clients or customers. The prospect of interacting with clients or customers can make many employees feel uncomfortable and nervous. However, a common quality of top talent employees is a sense of confidence when they have to communicate with important third parties outside of the workplace.

They don’t shirk responsibility. The best employees will, generally speaking, gratefully accept any new responsibility that you hand to them (within reason, of course). This is because high-quality employees tend to view new responsibilities as opportunities – not as inconveniences or chores.

They bring problems to your attention. Often, employees will attempt to hide (even small) issues under the rug, under the mistaken impression that they will simply go away if they are ignored for long enough.

They’re kind and respectful. Last (but certainly not least), it’s essential for managers to hire and promote employees who have a positive attitude – both when they’re around you and when they’re around their colleagues.

Employee training is one of the most critical steps in the process of building an optimized team. It also tends to be one of the most time-consuming and expensive steps in the process. A recent report found that companies spend an average of $1,075 on training a new recruit. For most small business owners , that’s a considerable amount.

Here are five simple and effective employee training tips that can provide a serious boost to your business:

Customize your training sessions for individual employees. You should always remember the fact that learning styles and preferences differ from person to person. In light of that, it can go a long way to customize your training programs to the individual that you’re working with.

Of course, no manager can be expected to know the specific quirks of a new employee’s personality right off the bat. But you don’t need to design the perfect training program for each new employee – you simply need to make it your goal to get to know your new team member as much as possible.

Implement a schedule for regular training sessions throughout the year. Employee training should never be approached as a one-and-done sort of a project.

Leverage your existing employees as co-trainers. Always remember that you don’t have to navigate the process of training new employees entirely on your own. You have a valuable training resource right under your nose: Your existing staff members.

Establish concrete goals for new employees. When it comes to employee training, it’s always crucial to establish actual goals. It’s also important to provide new employees with some key performance indicators (KPIs) that will enable them to track their incremental progress towards those goals.

Create an open-door policy. As a team leader, you should always account for the fact that new employees will encounter inevitable roadblocks as they’re getting settled into their new roles.

What makes an employee valuable?

A valuable employee is someone who is dedicated to using their skills and experience o improve their performance. This person is also someone who is a positive influence to others in the office or workspace.

How would you describe a good worker?

A good worker is someone who is motivated and dedicated to their work. Other qualities of a good worker include:

Has integrity

Is accountable

Is self-manageable

Is a reliable worker

How do you become a better employee?

To become a better worker you should become reliable and improve your communication skills. Being a reliable worker is so important. It allows for your coworkers to trust you more and it shows your integrity by completing your tasks on time.

Communication is also an important skill to have to be a better employee. It helps improve your teamwork skills and it can improve your conflict resolution skills.

Nationwide – Top Qualities of a Good Employee

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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Qualities of a Good Employee (Key Traits with Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 15, 2023 — 7 minutes to read

A good employee possesses a mix of qualities that contribute to their success in the workplace. Let’s explore some key traits that help define an exceptional team member:

• Strong work ethic : A good employee takes responsibility for completing tasks efficiently and effectively. For example, you might stay late to finish a project or volunteer to help your team with additional tasks. Demonstrating a strong work ethic sends the message that you’re dedicated and reliable.
• Effective communication skills : Communication is the backbone of any successful team. A good employee is able to clearly express their thoughts and ideas while also being an active listener. When colleagues feel heard and understood, it fosters a more collaborative and productive work environment.
• Adaptability : Embracing change and handling diverse challenges are hallmarks of a good employee. An adaptable team member can adjust their approach to new situations and help the team navigate through transitions. For instance, you might readily adapt to an updated software system at work or take on a new role when a coworker leaves.
• Problem-solving skills : Good employees are able to find solutions to complex issues and think critically. They can assess the situation, identify potential hurdles, and map out steps to achieve success. For example, you may devise a creative solution to meet a tight deadline when resources are scarce.
• Passion : Bringing enthusiasm and passion to your role can make all the difference. A good employee truly cares about their work, which often leads to better performance. Your energy and commitment can be contagious and inspire your colleagues to perform at their best as well.
• Team player : Collaboration is a crucial aspect of workplace success. A good employee is supportive of their colleagues, sharing knowledge and resources while working together to achieve common goals. By valuing the contributions of others, you help foster a positive and collaborative work environment.

Team Player Qualities

Collaboration and teamwork.

To be a successful team player, embracing collaboration and teamwork is key. You will undoubtedly find yourself working with others on various projects and tasks, so it is important to communicate effectively and be open to the ideas of your coworkers. Sharing your knowledge and skills with others can help improve your team’s overall performance. For example, if one of your coworkers is struggling with a certain task, you can offer valuable insights and experience to help them overcome the obstacle.

Leadership in Team Settings

Leadership qualities are also important in a team setting, and you don’t necessarily have to be a manager or supervisor to demonstrate these traits. Taking the initiative to coordinate with your team, setting goals, and actively participating in discussions can show that you are a natural leader. Providing guidance and motivation to your coworkers can help keep everyone on track to achieve your collective goals. Let’s say your team is working on a project with a tight deadline; sharing a timeline and constantly communicating progress updates can help everyone stay focused and confident in achieving the target.

Being Supportive

Being a supportive coworker goes a long way in creating a positive work environment. Listening to your coworkers’ concerns, offering assistance when needed, and providing encouragement can boost morale and strengthen bonds within your team. For instance, if a coworker has a personal issue, providing a listening ear and offering support can help them feel heard and understood. This, in turn, can result in increased trust and better overall team cooperation. Furthermore, acknowledging your colleagues’ accomplishments and giving credit where it’s due can make them feel valued and appreciated.

Professional Attitudes

Confidence as key.

A good employee believes in their abilities and skills, which is why confidence is crucial. When you’re confident, you easily adapt to changes, take on responsibilities, and tackle challenges head-on. This fosters a strong work ethic and helps you progress in your career development. For example, if you’re assigned a challenging project, having confidence allows you to navigate any obstacles and ultimately achieve success.

Promoting Transparency

Honesty and transparency go hand in hand in the workplace. You should be open about your thoughts, ideas, and any concerns that may arise. This creates a culture of trust and promotes collaboration among team members. For example, if you disagree with a decision made by your manager, transparently communicating your perspective can lead to a productive discussion focused on finding a better solution. Embracing transparency also demonstrates that you prioritize the company’s best interests over personal agendas.

Positive Attitudes at Work

Maintaining a positive attitude is another important quality of a good employee. This means showing enthusiasm, supporting your colleagues, and always displaying a friendly demeanor. A positive attitude can contribute to a lively work environment and improves overall team morale. For instance, if you’re facing a tight deadline, staying positive allows you to encourage others and complete the task without succumbing to stress. This creates a culture of success where everyone thrives and enjoys their work.

Why Adaptability Matters

Learning and development.

Adaptability is key to your success as an employee. When you’re able to learn new skills and apply them in diverse situations, you become more valuable to your team and organization. For example, if you’re in sales and your company is expanding to new markets, you may need to adapt to different cultural norms and communication styles. Embracing continuous learning shows your dedication to your job and helps you stay at the forefront of your industry.

Change and Flexibility

Change is inevitable: companies might restructure, introduce new technologies, or modify their strategies. To remain successful, you need to adapt to these changes with ease. For instance, if your company updates its project management software, you should be willing to learn the new system and apply it to your tasks. Being open to change and demonstrating flexibility make you a reliable team player and go-to resource during periods of transition.

Promotion and Career Growth

Adaptability also plays a significant role in your career development. Employers value professionals who can handle diverse responsibilities while maintaining a positive attitude. If you have a proven track record of thriving in different roles and varying work environments, you’re more likely to receive promotions and enjoy career growth. For example, suppose you’re a marketing specialist who has mastered digital and traditional platforms, responds effectively to new marketing trends, and easily collaborates with cross-functional teams. In this case, your adaptability can lead to exciting opportunities for advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What traits do employers look for in a good employee.

Employers appreciate employees who are punctual, reliable, and responsible. They value effective communication skills, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic. For example, consistently finishing projects on time and helping coworkers when needed can show that you possess these traits. Honesty, integrity, and adaptability are also highly regarded by employers.

What are some key characteristics of an effective worker?

Effective workers tend to be proactive, self-motivated, and detail-oriented. They can manage their time efficiently, solve problems, and have a growth mindset. For instance, if you take on extra responsibilities or seek feedback on your performance to improve, you demonstrate these characteristics. Productive collaboration and strong interpersonal skills are also beneficial.

Which positive and negative traits can impact an employee’s performance?

Positive traits that can boost performance include adaptability, diligence, and resilience. For example, adjusting to new procedures or bouncing back from setbacks can help maintain productivity. However, negative traits, such as procrastination, poor communication, and resistance to change can hinder performance and potentially damage relationships with colleagues.

How can someone showcase their best qualities during a job interview?

During an interview, it’s crucial to demonstrate your professionalism, communication skills, and enthusiasm for the role. Prepare examples of how you’ve displayed the desired qualities, such as teamwork, leadership, or problem-solving, in previous positions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your experiences concisely and effectively. Don’t forget to make a positive impression by listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and maintaining eye contact. Related: How to Answer 11 Common Behavioral Interview Questions and How to Answer 9 Common Situational Interview Questions

What are some essential soft skills for workplace success?

Soft skills that are valuable in the workplace include effective communication, leadership, teamwork, empathy, and problem-solving. Demonstrating these skills can help build rapport with coworkers, facilitate cooperation, and foster a supportive work environment. For example, actively listening to a coworker’s concerns and providing constructive feedback can enhance your teamwork and communication skills. Related: What Are Soft Skills? (and How to Showcase Them)

How can an employee improve their qualities and become a better team member?

• To develop your qualities and become a better team member, start by identifying areas where you could improve, such as communication, organization, or time management.
• Seek feedback from supervisors and colleagues to gain their perspectives.
• Participate in relevant training programs and workshops to build new skills.
• Try to practice mindfulness and self-reflection, allowing yourself to grow from your experiences and become a better employee in the long run.
• Related: 28 Essential Areas of Improvement for Employees [Examples] Constructive Criticism: When and How to Give and Take It Individual Development Plan [Examples & Templates]
• Good Qualities in a Person: Top Admirable Traits (Examples)
• 26 Examples of Smart Questions to Ask in an Interview
• Interview Follow-up Email Examples (1-2-3 weeks)
• Job Interview Request Email Responses (Detailed Examples)
• How to Resolve Employee Conflict at Work [Steps, Tips, Examples]
• Effective Interview Confirmation Email (Examples)

Employee Development

Jul 24, 2020

The Top Skills of a Good Employee

It’s a given that businesses want to hire and retain the best employees in their field, but what does it really mean to be a ‘good employee’ and why is it important to seek them out? Most recruitment or human resources (HR) managers know how difficult it is to find good employees; candidates either lack certain skills or they won’t fit in with the company culture. 1 Business owners often focus on technical skills alone and don’t assess the qualities and characteristics that make up the ideal employee. This could end up adversely affecting culture, productivity, and may even protract training efforts.

Regardless of the industry or nature of the job, there are certain key qualities that every hiring manager should look out for if they want their employees to succeed in the business world.

Skills and characteristics of a good employee

Both soft skills and technical skills, or hard skills, are equally important in an employee. Soft skills include the social expertise, personality and character makeup, communication skills, emotional intelligence, influence, and approach to work that an employee shows. 2

These serve to complement the hard skills – those abilities that have been learned and can be measured and quantified – and can make an employee more of an asset to a company. 3

Here are some of the top skills and characteristics of a good employee:

• Knowing the why, as well as the what . 4 Good employees know the reason why their job exists, above just knowing how to do their job. This allows them to come up with new suggestions and ideas to improve their tasks
• Professionalism . 5 Being polite, well-spoken, calm, and presentable is all part of being professional at work
• Honesty and integrity . 6 Telling the truth about tricky subjects, such as workload, work/life balance, difficult customers or colleagues, and ineffective procedures makes for a good employee
• Innovative ideas . 7 Employees who bring innovative ideas and suggestions forward that will impact positively are an asset to a company. Stagnation and complacency are the enemy of growth
• Problem-solving abilities . 8 Employees who work on something until it’s solved, or complete, and who bring their best efforts to solve problems are considered good employees
• Ambitious . 9 When employees have a clear, personal career plan or goal in mind, they’re not under the assumption that their employer will drive their career for them, so they strive for advancement
• Dependability, reliability, and responsibility . 10 Employees who take responsibility for their actions, are dependable, arrive on time, do what they say, and don’t let the others in their team down, are highly valued employees
• Conflict resolution . 11 Good employees address and resolve conflict maturely, rather than trying to avoid it, by maintaining respect for those involved, not placing blame, and not acquiescing just to keep the peace
• Positive attitude . 12 Employees who bring a positive attitude to work have a positive impact on those around them and improve the energy in the team
• Emotional intelligence . 13 Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about being mindful of one’s own state of emotions, as well as those in the team. Knowing how to manage these well is an important key to being a good employee
• Teamwork . 14 The ability to work with other people in a team, by fostering relationships in a professional manner, in order to achieve a common goal, is an asset to any company
• Willingness to learn . 15 Hard skills attained through education are not enough for good employees – they’re open minded to new ideas, and they share their thoughts and personal insights with the team.
• Creativity . 16 Not all people are born creative, but creativity is a skill that can be learned through experimentation, imagination, questions, collaboration, and information processing
• Generosity . 17 Good employees coach and mentor those around them. They generously share their experiences and expertise. They understand that knowledge is only power when it’s shared with others

Recruiting vs training

Knowing what skills and characteristics to look out for, in existing employees as well as when recruiting new employees, will ensure that these desired qualities are nurtured and developed throughout the business, regardless of the job title or function.

All over the world, businesses are seeing skills gaps emerging . In the United Kingdom alone, 23 per cent of employees lack basic digital skills in spite of the fact that they’re needed for close to 90 per cent of all new jobs. 18 One possible solution is training existing employees to become proficient in new skills – both hard and soft – and in turn creating ‘good employees’. 19 This also means that a new approach is needed when recruiting. Hiring employees who show potential to be further skilled and who display some of the qualities listed above may be an effective tactic. Given that top talent is likely to become more and more scarce and in demand, training might well be the best and most practical solution.

Knowing what skills and characteristics to look out for, in existing employees as well as when recruiting new employees, will ensure that these desired qualities are nurtured and developed throughout the business, regardless of the job title or function. The skills of a good employee reach beyond technical acumen and business experience. While these are important to get the job done, how these tasks are carried out, and the interactions with other team members, are indicative of the attitude, approach, mindset, and adaptability of a good employee.

GetSmarter can guide you as your learning partner, and help your business to create a tailored upskilling plan to meet your unique needs.

[Empower your team with the right skills]

Click here to view sources

• 1 Zambas, J. (Aug, 2018). ‘20 key qualities that make a good employee’. Retrieved from Career Addict .
• 2 Doyle, A. (Aug, 2019). ‘Top soft skills employers value with examples’. Retrieved from The Balance Careers .
• 3 Autenrieth, N. (Nd). ‘Why soft and hard skills are so important to your resume’. Retrieved from Top Resume . Accessed 25 June 2020.
• 4 Duncan, R. (Sep, 2018). ‘The why of work: Purpose and meaning really do matter’. Retrieved from Forbes .
• 5 Belyh, A. (Jun, 2018). ‘Top skills and values employers seek from job seekers’ Retrieved from Cleverism .
• 6 Zambas, J. (Aug, 2018). ‘20 key qualities that make a good employee‘. Retrieved from Career Addict .
• 7 Wiles, J. (Apr, 2019). ‘Foster innovation to drive digital transformation’. Retrieved from Gartner .
• 8 Belyh, A. (Jun, 2018). ‘Top skills and values employers seek from job seekers’ Retrieved from Cleverism .
• 9 (Nd). ‘Why passionate employees are the most valuable employees.’ Retrieved from Soprana . Accessed 23 June 2020.
• 10 Belyh, A. (Jun, 2018). ‘Top skills and values employers seek from job seekers’ Retrieved from Cleverism .
• 11 Wroblewski, M. (May, 2019). ‘What are the benefits of good conflict resolution skills?’. Retrieved from Chron .
• 12 Zambas, J. (Aug, 2018). ‘20 key qualities that make a good employee‘. Retrieved from Career Addict .
• 13 Gassam, J. (Jul, 2018). ‘How to develop more emotionally intelligent employees’. Retrieved from Forbes .
• 14 Belyh, A. (Jun, 2018). ‘Top skills and values employers seek from job seekers’ Retrieved from Cleverism .
• 15 Bean-Mellinger, B. (Mar, 2019). ‘Most important employee skills in the workplace’. Retrieved from Chron .
• 16 Bhandare, S. (Jan, 2020). ‘Top 9 qualities of great employees in the digital age’. Retrieved from Recruitment.com .
• 17 Oesch, T. (May, 2018). ‘How kindness and generosity can impact learning and the bottom line’. Retrieved from Training Industry .
• 18 Bughin, J. et al. (May, 2018). ‘Skill shift: Automation and the future of the workforce’. Retrieved from McKinsey .
• 19 (Nd). ‘Skilling, reskilling, and upskilling’. Retrieved from Randstad . Accessed 23 June 2020.

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What makes a great workplace, a new book applies science to figuring out how to build a place where people actually look forward to work..

Many of my friends really dread their jobs. They complain about employers who treat them like machinery—there to churn out whatever is required of them, regardless of the cost to their motivation, creativity or personal health. Their bosses seem to expect that they work long hours and stay glued to cell phones at night, but then show little appreciation or, worse, micromanage them. No one likes it; but what alternatives are there when employers have deadlines to meet or products to develop?

Plenty, according to psychologist Ron Friedman. In his new book, The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace . Friedman, a psychologist and business consultant, distills decades of research on motivation, creativity, and performance to provide both business leaders and their employees with useful tips for restructuring work environments to increase innovation, efficiency, and even joy in the workplace.

Some of Friedman’s suggestions may come as a surprise for those not familiar with the science and can seem downright counterintuitive. For example, he suggests that companies wanting to be successful and on the cutting edge of innovation need to embrace failure in their employees. That’s right, failure. “Accepting failure doesn’t just make risk-taking easier,” he writes. “In a surprising number of instances, it’s the only reliable path to success.”

This idea comes from research on creativity showing that creative solutions most often come not from individual brilliance but from giving people the freedom try many different solutions to see which one works best. But, who can be a creative problem solver when stressed or when fearing retribution from a boss? We literally drain our brains of needed cognitive resources when we are in an anxiety-induced “fight or flight” mode. That’s why it behooves employers to give their employees permission to fail and to learn from their mistakes: it’s the path to innovation.

Friedman makes several other provocative suggestions for employers wanting to get ahead. For example, he suggests that they encourage employees to pursue outside interests on company time or to take frequent rests or even short naps on the job. Both of these have been shown help people to broaden their thinking and to make cognitive connections, which is important for innovation and job efficiency. And, for employees wanting to increase their work satisfaction, asking for more challenge and variety in job assignments or practicing gratitude can make a big difference in your happiness and productivity.

“Over time a continuous focus on what’s missing trains our minds to center on the negative,” writes Friedman. “But by taking a moment to redirect our attention to things that are going right…we restore a balance to our thinking that elevates our moods and prevents negative emotions like resentment, envy, and regret from creeping in.”

Additionally, he suggests that employers challenge employees without overwhelming them and empower them to find their own best approach to getting the job done (which may mean a flex schedule or working from home). And he provides employers tips for managing mood (important, since moods are contagious) and for thanking employees in ways that increase rather than kill motivation.

Overall, Friedman recommends fostering three things for better workplace environments: autonomy (employees having more control over their work), competence (employees having the tools they need to succeed), and relatedness (better social bonds at work). Though relatedness may be the most overlooked aspect of employee engagement, researchers who study predictors of productivity in the workplace have found that having a best friend at work has many benefits, including increasing employee focus, passion, and loyalty, and decreasing sick time and workplace accidents.

More on Positive Workplaces

How compassionate is your organization? Take the quiz !

Read the results of our compassionate organizations quiz!

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Learn about a new program to increase compassion on the job.

Daniel Goleman explore why leaders need a triple focus .

How to encourage friendships at work? “Proximity, familiarity, similarity, and self-disclosure all play a role,” writes Friedman. “The trick is to create the conditions that naturally foster these elements and integrate them into the work environment.” He suggests employers pay for activities that bring workers together in a shared activity, such as attending a yoga class or working together on a community project, or create break rooms or other communal spaces so that this happens naturally.

But while our social networks are important to nurture, Friedman warns against encouraging workplace gossip, which can have detrimental impacts on a business. Though it might be tempting to simply outlaw gossip, Friedman suggests instead that employers try to use gossip as a way to understand what’s going on interpersonally at work. Gossip often suggests that someone is feeling powerless in a situation or needs help and encouragement to succeed, he writes, and employers would do well to role-model transparency and a willingness to listen rather than prohibiting gossip or, worse, engaging in it themselves.

Friedman’s main message is that workplaces have a lot of room for improvement, and that paying attention to what we’ve learned from the science is a good idea. The old factory model of workplace efficiency—where each worker cog in the system is expected to do what he’s told to do without an understanding of how he’s contributing or the power to control his efforts—is outdated in our information economy. Instead, employers need to find the ways that they can encourage their most important asset—their employees—and strategically foster greater workplace innovation, productivity, and harmony.

“When we provide employees; with the flexibility to succeed in both their personal and professional lives, we achieve more than an extraordinary workplace,” he writes. “We create an organization that performs at its very best.”

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

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Phrasal verbs and idioms for english speaking | lesson 2 – elementary level, phrasal verbs and idioms for english speaking | lesson 3 – elementary level, phrasal verbs and idioms for english speaking | lesson 4 – elementary level.

We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.

English Writing Practice: Topic 22 – Sample 1

We spend more time with our co-workers during a week than we do with our family. Thus, it’s important for our co-workers to be people we can  get along with.  I’ve worked in a lot of offices, and I’ve found there are certain characteristics that all good co-workers have in common.

A good co-worker is very cooperative . She does her best to get along with others. She tries to keep her end of things flowing smoothly to help others in the office. She realizes that if one person doesn’t get her work done, it can hold up everyone else. She has a positive attitude that creates a pleasant working environment.

A good co-worker is adaptable . She is not stubborn about changes in schedules or routines, and doesn’t object to having her job description revised. That can make life miserable for everyone around her. A good co-worker is willing to change her schedule to accommodate another worker’s emergency. She has no problem with new procedures and welcomes changes when they come.

A good co-worker is helpful . She pitches in when someone falls behind in his or her work. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She doesn’t keep track of how often she has to finish another’s work or take on extra work. Some co-workers do their own job, period. They have no sense of office community. They only want to do their work, get paid and go home.

A good co-worker is a sympathetic listener,  and never uses what she learns against people. She doesn’t gossip. A bad co-worker uses negative rumors to take advantage of others.  Being a good co-worker isn’t too hard, but some people just can’t seem to manage it. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if everyone could?

English Writing Practice: Topic 22 – Sample 2

We all work with many different kinds of people. Different co-workers have different personality. To me,  my co-workers should have some important characteristics  such as independence, optimism, and teamwork spirit.

I think  a good co-worker must have his own opinions.  A co-worker should  dare to  propose his own opinions. He should not say the same as others and hide his opinions. Only everyone tries his best to analyze every aspect of a thing, it can be done best. So independence of thinking is important for a co-worker.

An  other important characteristic is optimism.  If we have some difficult problems, he must be brave and should not fear them. He should encourage others to find methods to solve problems. This point is very important because one’s mood can influence others easily. Once a co-worker shows a little fear of difficulties, others may become discouraged soon. So  a good co-worker should be optimistic.

In addition , teamwork spirit is an important characteristic of a co-worker. Although a co-worker should be independent to analyze a thing, he should be tolerant to the different people and their ways of working. He should be willing to dedicate his energy, time and knowledge to reach the goal of whole team.

Independence,  optimism and teamwork spirit are important characteristics of a co-worker . If everyone in a work group has these characteristics, the group can overcome difficulties and reach its goals.

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1. A Team Player:

The most important thing you can do as a coworker is to be a team player. This means being supportive, helpful, and friendly.

When people are working together as a team, they need to rely on each other.

If someone is slacking off or causing problems, it will be difficult for the rest of the team to succeed.

A team player is always willing to put the team first. They are cooperative and respectful of their coworkers.

If you can be a good team player, you will be well on your way to being a good coworker.

2. Friendly and Helpful Makes A Good Coworker:

In addition to being a team player, it’s important to be friendly and helpful.

This means being willing to lend a hand when needed and being social with your coworkers.

It can be difficult to work in an environment where no one talks to each other. Make an effort to get to know your coworkers.

When you’re helpful, it makes things easier for everyone. If someone is struggling with a project, offer to help out.

Or, if someone needs a coffee break, offer to take a break with them. Small acts of kindness can go a long way.

3. What Makes A Good Co workers – Being Respectful:

Respecting your coworkers is another important part of being a good co workers.

This means not talking down to them. Listen when they’re speaking, and not steal their food from the fridge .

It also means not talking about them behind their back. If you can show respect to your coworkers, it will make for a much more pleasant work environment.

No one wants to feel like they’re being ignored or ridiculed.

You can win anyone’s respect by being respectful. Moreover, it’s the right thing to d22o!

4. Good Communication:

Good communication is key in any workplace. This means being clear and concise when speaking.

Listen actively when someone is talking to you, and not interrupting.

It also means being patient and taking the time to understand what someone is saying.

If you communicate well with your coworkers, it will make a productive work environment .

Miscommunication can lead to confusion and frustration. It’s important to be clear and concise.

5. What Makes A Good Coworker – Flexibility:

Flexibility means being willing to switch gears when needed. Take on new tasks, and work overtime when necessary.

It also means being patient when things are slow and not getting frustrated easily .

If you’re flexible, it will make it easier for your coworkers to rely on you.

When things get busy, they can count on you to help and not complain. Flexibility is a valuable trait to have in any workplace.

6. Good Work Ethic:

A good work ethic is essential in any job. This means coming to work on time, putting in a full day’s work, and not slacking off.

It also means being willing to stay late or come in on the weekends when needed.

If you have a good work ethic, you will get in the good books of your boss.

They will know that they can count on you to get the job done, no matter what. Moreover, a good work ethic is essential for career growth.

7. Organized Makes A Good Coworker:

Being organized is another important trait for a good coworker. If you’re organized, it will make life easier for everyone.

This means keeping your workspace clean and organized. Have a system for filing paperwork, and be able to find things when needed.

You won’t have to spend time looking for misplaced items. Your coworkers will know where to find you when they need help. With organization comes efficiency!

8. Positive Attitude:

A good coworker always has a positive attitude. This means being upbeat and cheerful, even when things are tough.

It also means being willing to lend a helping hand, even when you’re feeling stressed out.

A positive attitude is infectious, and it will make everyone around you happier.

It’s also important for maintaining a good work-life balance . With a positive attitude, everything becomes a lot easier.

9. Hard Working:

Being a hard worker is another essential trait for a good coworker.

This means putting in the extra effort when needed. Take on new tasks without complaint, and go the extra mile.

If you’re a hard worker, your boss will notice. They will appreciate the extra effort, which may lead to career growth opportunities. Hard work pays off!

10. Trustworthy:

A good coworker is always trustworthy. This means being honest and reliable.

Thus, keep your promises, and not gossip about others. If your coworkers can trust you, it will be a much more harmonious workplace.

Gossiping can lead to division and distrust, so it’s important to stay away from it.

It is essential to be a good listener and not spread rumors. However, if you hear something that you think is important, you should always go to your boss .

11. Career-Driven Is What Makes A Good Coworker:

Another important quality for a good coworker is being career-driven.

Have focus on your work and put in the extra effort to improve your skills.

If you’re career-driven, it will show your dedication to your job.

You will be a valuable asset to the team, and you may get new growth opportunities. Moreover, career-driven individuals are more likely to get promotion.

Also, having a good work-life balance is essential for career-driven individuals.

12. Sufficient Skill Set:

A good coworker also has the necessary skill set for the job.

This means being competent in your work, knowing how to do your job, and taking on new tasks.

If you have the necessary skill set, it will make life easier for your coworkers.

They won’t have to teach you how to do your job, and you will be able to help out with new tasks when needed.

Moreover, having the necessary skill set is essential for career growth.

13. Focused & Determined:

A good coworker focuses on their work. This means having focus and paying attention to the task at hand.

If you’re focused, it will show in your work. You will produce better results, and you will be less likely to make mistakes.

They can count on working diligently until the completion of the task.

A good coworker is also determined to succeed. This means being motivated and driven and never giving up.

If you’re determined, it will show in your work. You will be more likely to achieve your goals, and you will be less affected by setbacks.

14. Integrity Makes A Good Coworker:

The essential trait for a good coworker is integrity. This means being honest and ethical and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

If you have integrity, your boss and coworkers notice you. They will respect you for being honest and trust you implicitly .

You will be a trustworthy individual, and you will be less likely to engage in unethical behavior.

With integrity, anything is possible! Without integrity, you will not be able to achieve your goals.

15. Zest for Life & Work-Life Balance Makes A Good Coworker:

Finally, a good coworker also has a zest for life. This means having a positive attitude. Being energetic, and being enthusiastic about your work is essential.

If you have a zest for life, it will show in your work. You will be more productive, and you will be less likely to get bored.

Zest for life is essential for a happy and successful career . A good coworker is also able to maintain a good work-life balance.

This means switching off from work and not letting work consume your life.

If you can maintain a good work-life balance, it will show in your work. You will be less stressed, and you will produce better results.

Why Being A Good Coworker Is Essential?

What are the qualities of a good colleague. Being a good coworker is essential for a successful career. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. A Productive Work Environment:

A good coworker creates a productive work environment. They have focus on their work, and they do not distract others with their distractions.

Moreover, good coworkers are willing to help others when needed.

They understand that teamwork is essential for success. They are always willing to lend a hand.

2. Improved Job Performance:

A good coworker improves job performance. They are always willing to learn new skills, and they take the time to perfect their craft.

Moreover, good coworkers are motivated and driven. They are always looking for ways to improve their work, and they are not afraid of a challenge.

3. Greater Career Opportunities:

A good coworker has greater career opportunities. Bosses and managers will be happy to share opportunities with them.

Whenever any opportunity rises, a good coworker is always among the first ones to apply to it.

Even HRs assist good coworkers into getting best opportunities at the workplace.

4. Better Work-Life Balance:

A good coworker has a better work-life balance. They know how to switch off from work. They understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

With a good work-life balance, employees can stay fit and healthy.

It decreases mental health issues such as stress, depression, etc. They are able to enjoy life at its fullest.

5. Improved Relationship With Boss:

A good coworker has a better relationship with their boss. A healthy bond with your boss impacts your work life to much extent.

A good coworker asks for feedback , and they are always looking for ways to improve their work.

Your boss will appreciate these qualities, and they will be more likely to promote you.

6. Improved Relationship With Coworkers:

A good coworker has a better relationship with their coworkers. They are a team player, and they are always willing to help out when needed.

Their relationship with other coworkers is great. They can rely on each other during tough time.

Moreover, they can assist each other on projects to boost company’s profits.

7. Greater Job Satisfaction:

A good coworker has greater job satisfaction. They enjoy their work, and they take pride in their accomplishments.

With great job satisfaction comes a good work-life balance. This means that they are less likely to get stressed, and they will produce better results.

Job satisfaction is essential for a happy and successful career.

8. Improved Relationship With Clients:

A good coworker has a better relationship with their clients. They are an asset to the team, and they are always willing to lend a hand.

They try to improve their work for their clients. Good employees ask for their feedback, and tend to reduce any mistakes.

Your clients will appreciate these qualities. They will be more likely to do business with you.

9. Greater Job Security:

A good coworker has greater job security. They are less likely to get laid if situation of the company is bad.

Bosses never want their good employees to leave the organization.

They tend to provide them with all the facilities such as incentives, bonuses, etc.

Job security often leads to promotions, thus having one is essential for career growth.

10. Improved Mental Health:

A good coworker has improved mental health. They are less likely to get stressed and produce better results.

With improved mental health, employees feel active and motivated. A good coworker knows how to deal with mental health issues.

A good work environment is essential for a healthy mind and body.

11. Improved Morale:

A good coworker improves morale. They are always positive and always looking for ways to make others laugh.

With good morale, employees can be as productive as they want. They can work as per their dedication and creativity.

They will believe in their skill set and talent and rise to new horizons.

Morale is essential for a happy and successful workplace.

Conclusion:

What makes a good coworker? Many qualities come to mind, but some of the most important ones are:

– Communication

– Flexibility

– A good work ethic.

These traits are essential in any workplace. They will make you popular with your coworkers.

So if you’re looking to be a good coworker, make sure to focus on these qualities!

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Characteristics of A Good Employee

A good employee possesses a range of skills and personal characteristics that are essential for success in any job. This includes a strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, good communication skills, critical thinking, and a willingness to take initiative. A good employee is responsible, dependable, and flexible, and is able to handle new tasks and work schedules. They communicate effectively with others, showing empathy and concern, and follow directions with a positive attitude. By demonstrating these qualities, a good employee receives positive evaluations that benefit both the employer and the employee.

Characteristics of a good employee includes a variety of attributes, skills, and personal characteristics. Some skills and qualities are universal to every job, and others are job specific. All jobs require a good work ethic and problem solving. One of a great qualities an technologist can bring to most jobs would be good communication skills and critical thinking. A good employee takes initiative, they go out of their way to help a patient, or even greet them with a positive attitude. There is a big difference between an employee who does things on their own and one who doesn’t. A good employee takes responsibility. When they are given a task, they do a good job and see the task through to completion. They are responsible for their own actions and the work they produce. A good employee is being dependable, your actions show people that they can depend on you, and that you keep your commitments. simple commitments are important which Arrive to work on time, return phone calls, and perform tasks on time.

A good employee is a flexible employee which is willing to take new responsibilities, able to handle new task when given and able to work on units convenience hours. Having a strong communication skills is another good employee. Communicating with co-worker, physicians, patients and their families using verbal or nonverbal communication and maintaining eye contact when speaking with them. Showing empathy and concern are also very important. Taking the time to ask patients how they are doing and feeling shows them that you care. It may be hard to do sometimes but a good employee does a job cheerfully and follows direction, even if it is not their favorite thing to do. In conclusion, being a good employee is not always easy. However, demonstrating the above qualities benefits the employer and the employee. An employee that meets these standards will have positive evaluations.

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Characteristics of a Successful Social Worker — The Traits, Skills & Education You Need To Succeed

What makes a successful social worker?

TRAITS SKILLS

Social work professionals are some of the best and the brightest. They intuit the needs of the people they serve and work to secure a better life for every individual who walks through their door.

Maybe you are considering a career in social work and are entertaining the thought of returning to school to earn your Master of Social Work degree . Or maybe you are drawn to a career in social work but are unsure if you have the personal qualities of a good social worker . Whatever your situation — check out these eight social worker character traits that will help you be a good social worker.

Explore Baylor University's digital resource page: Master of Social Work

The MBA of the Helping Professions!

What Does it Take to Be a Good Social Worker?

If you’re feeling called to a career that’s dedicated to helping those in need, then you’re in the right place. At its core, being a social worker is all about empowering others, influencing change, and making a difference in the lives and communities you support.

  The primary role of social workers is to advocate on behalf of underrepresented communities and help them navigate through challenging situations, including:

But what does it take to be a successful in social work? What skills and characteristics do you need to thrive in this profession? Let’s take a closer look.

Currently Reading: Introduction

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Table of Contents

8 Characteristics of a Good Social Worker

2 skills good social workers need, how to become a good social worker, 5 things to look for in an msw program, begin your journey in social work.

Open Table of Contents

Characteristics are the distinguishing features or qualities of something or someone — the qualities that make a person or thing different from others. While there’s no specific kind of person who makes a better social worker than others, you might find more success in your career if your friends or family would use some or all of the characteristics below.

Frequently, social workers handle cases involving an ethical or legal component. A strong ethical compass is one of the most important strengths to have as a social worker, and it speaks to the core values of social work. It is important that these professionals take the time to follow the proper protocols and ensure that they do their due diligence in order to best serve their clients. Every social worker is held to a professional code of ethics, as described by the National Association of Social Workers. By operating from a strong ethical base, social work professionals operate with integrity, enact social justice, and serve their fellow man by honoring and preserving the dignity of the human person.

Want to learn more about the ethos of social work?

Explore our guide - what do social workers actually do?

2. Organized

Social workers fill out paperwork for each client they see and maintain a file of their interactions, observations, notes, and each plan of action they develop. Social workers must be organized in order to stay on top of all their work and the numerous cases they are juggling at any given time. These essential characteristics of social work professionals help them to be fully present with each client they serve and to provide them with the best and most attentive care possible.

3. Empathetic

What makes a good social worker is their ability to understand and share the feelings of others — also known as empathy. For an individual approaching a social worker, it can often be a humbling experience to reach out and ask for what they need. When social workers respond with empathy, it helps their clients to feel validated and not judged.

Social workers who have a strong ability to empathize will be able to form strong connections because their clients feel they understand them and can relate to the things that are difficult for them. Similar to compassion, empathy is at the very heart of social work and is essential for any effective professional.

4. Respectful

Social workers deal with complicated and sensitive cases every day. An attitude of respect is one of the most essential personal qualities of social workers. Respect is required in order to maintain proper professional boundaries, and adhere to a code of ethics. In short, respect for the client, their personal information, and their personal challenges is essential to being a professional and successful social worker.

Social workers often work with diverse, and in many cases underprivileged, populations so it is imperative to keep an open mind. Respect for their client’s culture, ethnicity, religion, and beliefs are key components of a successful relationship. If a client does not feel that they are respected, they will likely seek the help they need elsewhere.

Sometimes social work is a slow-moving process. Often, the results you and your clients want to see take time. Especially when working together with other agencies and organizations to provide for the needs of your client, patience in social work is essential.

Social work professionals also need to have heroic patience when dealing with clients. Particularly when clients are working through difficult situations, they might not always be forthcoming with the information you need to do your job. Patience will help you to maintain your calm and sense of control, allowing you to serve your clients with a collected, mindful, and level-headed approach. Even when the situations are difficult, patience reassures your clients that you are in their corner fighting for them.

6. Trustworthy and Dependable

Social work is entirely based on relationships. If those you work for and those you work with do not perceive you to be trustworthy or dependable, it can be difficult to do your job effectively.

Social workers can demonstrate to their clients that they possess these qualities by listening to their needs, assuring them that they will work to find an effective solution, taking initiative in getting things done, and walking with them each step of the way. Social work professionals who have these characteristics will find it easier to build and maintain strong reciprocal relationships with those they serve.

7. Passionate

Passion is necessary to do any job well, but it is particularly important in the field of social work. Because of the fast-paced and intense nature of the job, it's not unusual to experience social work burnout . Passion for the work that they do and the difference they make in the lives of the individuals they help drives social workers to give their best to each client and case.

Clients and colleagues can tell if you are passionate about your work. Passion for your profession inspires hope in those you help and motivates those you work with to do their job to the best of their ability  as well. It is important to build up your fellow social work professionals, and passion for your craft can help them desire to work to their fullest potential.

How to Avoid Burnout

To make a career out of helping people when they’re hurting is one of the most challenging, rewarding, inspiring, and emotional paths that one can take. As a social worker you’ll be helping people deal with some seriously heavy topics. It can take a toll on your mental health, too. It’s common among social workers, who are often caring and empathetic by nature, to sometimes try to do too much. The result is mental, physical and exhaustion — also known as burnout or compassion fatigue.

Read more about how you can avoid burnout and compassion fatigue in a career that requires you to give a lot of yourself. 

8. Educated and Professionally Trained

To be an effective social worker requires professional training and a solid education in the principles and techniques used to manage cases. To begin your career as a social worker, you will need to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s of social work degree. With this degree, you can hold entry-level positions within the field.

If you want to have more responsibility and advance further in your career, you will need a Master of Social Work degree. While bachelor’s degrees provide a fundamental understanding of the field and how to interact with clients, a master’s degree allows you to dive deeper into the profession and work with clients on a more personal level to address their needs.

Skills are those things that you can generally learn or be trained to do. For social workers, there are two skills in particular you should hone to make your job more enjoyable and reduce day-to-day to stress.

1. Interpersonal Skills

Simply put, to be a good social worker you must work well with others, regardless of their background or experience. Strong interpersonal skills will help you form stronger connections with your clients and better understand their needs.

Here are some questions you should consider to determine your interpersonal strengths, and where you might need improvement.

• Are you an insightful person?
• Are you good at reading body language?
• Are you a good listener?
• Are you the type of person others come to when they need help?

2. Project Planning and Management

In your role, you’ll be managing schedules and appointments, planning goals for your clients, and tracking progress and success. If you plan to open your own practice, then you’ll also need to be solid on business fundamentals such as budgeting, marketing, and financial planning.

Successfully managing your many competing priorities as a social worker will not only help reduce your personal stress, you’ll be more available and organized to serve your clients when they need you.

Get an Education in Social Work

The two most common routes through which you can pursue an education in social work are by earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or a Master of Social Work (MSW).

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

If you plan to start your social work journey as an undergraduate, a BSW program will help you build the foundational knowledge and skill set you’ll need to start your career. Your curriculum will teach you fundamental skills like social work methodology; theories of individual, family, and community development and functioning; advocacy; social justice; and research.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The MSW is an opportunity for social work undergrads to build on their foundational knowledge and expand their skill sets to tackle more advanced topics. It’s also a great entry-point into the profession for career changers and compassionate people of all backgrounds!

In most programs, you can choose between different social work areas of specialty, such as clinical practice and community practice. You’ll also get the chance to determine which level of social work you’re feeling called to: 

• Micro (family, individuals)
• Mezzo (communities, churches, schools)
• Macro (government, legislation/policy)

Is an MSW Worth It?

One of the most common questions asked by prospective graduate students is whether or not their degree will be worth their investment of time and money. While only you can decide if your degree is “worth it”, it may help to consider both the tangible aspects, like career advancement or increased earning potential, along with whether or not an MSW will lead to increased satisfaction with your career.

Average Salary for a Master of Social Work

Depending on your area of specialization, career track, and job location, you can expect a salary in the range of $45,000 - $65,000. However, a lot more that goes into choosing a career path than your earning potential, especially for service-based careers.

Career Satisfaction 

Did you know that career satisfaction can have an impact on your finances? Studies show that unhappy workers experience higher levels of stress , which can lead to a myriad of costly mental and phsyical health issues.

In turn, some people choose to leave high-paying jobs for more meaningful work, like that of a social worker. If making a difference in the world is something that matters to you, that alone could make an MSW worth it.

Must Read Blog:

If you want to become a good social worker, it helps to earn your degree from a school with a good reputation and a high-quality program. Here are some things the experts at the Garland School of Social Work say make a program stand out.

1. A program that emphasizes research

Programs that place a premium on research are often the most forward-thinking and well-structured. Social work is an ever-evolving field and you want to be sure that you’re learning the latest and most advanced techniques.

2. Ethical and inclusive integration of faith

It’s important for social workers to recognize the role spirituality and faith play in the wholistic social, psychological, biological, cultural & spiritual framework that shapes a person, their family, & community. An MSW program that recognizes and honors diverse expressions of faith while teaching the ethical integration of faith and practice will prepare you to be a more successful and inclusive social worker.

3. Flexibility without sacrifice

If you’re coming to social work as a career changer, it may not be realistic to drop everything for a residential program. Whether you want to attend full-time, part-time, in-person or online, it’s important that your program doesn’t sacrifice quality for flexibility. The curriculum, professors, and experiential learning opportunities should be fairly similar, regardless of the modality you choose.

4. Field placement

There’s no substitute for the real thing, which is why much of an MSW education is hands-on fieldwork — a result of placement with one of the school’s partnerships.

5. Faculty who are experts in the field

This is an accreditation standard — to be the best, you should try to learn from the best. Do your research on the faculty to see which program features prominent experts in their field.

Student Toolkit

For more insights on picking the right msw program for you, download the future msw student toolkit.

Whether you want to help people one-on-one or influence change on a grander scale, earning a degree in social work will help you get the skills and knowledge to succeed.

At the Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, our MSW program offers two specializations, Clinical Practice and Community Practice, and prepares students to serve as licensed professionals in their communities. The degree program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education .

If you don’t possess all of these skills, don’t worry! Many of the characteristics listed can be learned through time and practice. These traits are just the beginning of what it means to be a successful social worker. Your best qualities and greatest strengths will bring uniqueness to your work and allow you to relate authentically to your clients.

Do you have some or all of the qualities of an effective social worker? Are you looking to take the next steps in your social work career? Check out our guide, Master of Social Work — The MBA of the Helping Professions . 

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Master of Social Work — The MBA of the Helping Professions

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Test Resources

TOEFL® Resources by Michael Goodine

Sample toefl multiple choice essay – characteristics of a good coworker, the question.

During our careers, we work with many different kinds of people.  All of them have unique characteristics and personality traits. In your opinion, which of the following is the most important characteristic of a coworker? 

• a serious attitude regarding their work obligations
• a willingness to learn new things
• the ability to make other people laugh

You may choose more than one of these options. Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer. Do not use memorized examples.

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The Sample Essay

         Everyone in the world spends an enormous amount of time at their workplace, and how much they enjoy their job depends largely on how much they like their coworkers.  I am of the opinion that there are two main characteristics of a good co-worker, which are a serious attitude and a willingness to learn new things. I will explore these two factors in the following essay.

         First of all, coworkers who approach their tasks with a serious attitude are desirable because they help to maintain an efficient work environment.  People who behave in a professional manner are less likely to be lazy and pass their responsibilities off to others. This always makes life much easier for everyone in an organization.  For example, last summer the staff at my company felt overwhelmed by the number of assignments we had to complete. It was our busy season, and we had a number of unexpected orders come in from our international clients.  Filling these orders required everyone to focus intently on their specific areas of responsibility. While this meant that some employees were working longer hours than others, no one complained about the situation. Instead, we all maintained a professional demeanor, and as a result we were able to get through the season.

          Secondly, if workers feel comfortable learning new things, they will be more likely to adapt to rapid changes at their workplaces. The techniques and theories that people learned at school just a decade ago are quickly becoming obsolete.  Employees who are unwilling to learn from their younger colleagues often create unpleasant workplaces. My own experience is a compelling example of what I mean. Last year my firm hired a new employee who had more than twenty years of experience in our industry.  While at first glance he seemed like a perfect addition to our organization, his techniques were wholly out of step with the modern world. Not only that, but he became apprehensive and belligerent when younger staff members tried to show him about current trends in our industry.  Eventually he was dismissed from the firm because of the negative effect he had on his coworkers.

         In conclusion, I believe that professionalism and a willingness to learn new things are the hallmarks of a good employee.  This is because a professional attitude is necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient work environment, and because in today’s rapidly changing world it is always necessary to learn new skills and techniques. (409 words)

This is a sample TOEFL independent essay written by a native speaker.  It follows our TOEFL writing templates  for independent essays.  If it is useful, please remember that we have  many more sample essays  for you to read!

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Top 10 Qualities of a Good Essay

Why are students often asked to write an essay? Because this is a type of writing work in which students learn to express their thoughts about different topics. The reasoning should be backed up by facts and statements about a particular topic. However, the author’s opinion is the main one here, and it develops students’ creative and scientific thinking at the same time.

So what makes a good essay? You will find the answer to this question in this article. Only through finding and studying additional information will you be able to develop your critical thinking .

Here are some basic points and qualities of good writing that will make your essay successful:

Small Volume.

Of course, when creativity is in its full flow, you want to write without stopping, but the first sign of what a good essay is precisely its compact volume.

Here you need to explain your opinion about the topic’s subject matter clearly, concisely, and with specific arguments that will support your opinion. Avoid arguing about your statements because it will confuse you and the reader and negate all the work on the arguments.

Specific Topic and Your Subjective Opinion.

The subject of the essay is always specific. It does not happen that the essay has several different thoughts and topics. This is what distinguishes it from other types of paper works.

Your arguments and subjective opinion should be the same. The purpose of your work is to convince the reader that your opinion is true, backed by strong facts, and is consistent throughout the work.

Free Composition

What does it mean? The essay has no specific writing rules. Yes, a certain structure distinguishes this type of work from others, but the essay composition itself is free.

If you are unsure where to start or how to write an essay, try to find free essays online by contacting professionals .

Do not use too long sentences or try to surprise the reader with difficult terms and strange words, especially if you are not sure about their meaning. On the contrary, your main task here is to engage the reader and make contact with him through the text.

As we have already written, the author needs to establish contact with the reader.

The sentences and arguments that you will use in your work should be specific but not written in strict form. You should choose the point of support of your arguments and the main opinion and stick to it throughout the work.

Sometimes arguments have to be more specific and sometimes unobtrusively described in the body of the essay.

You should try to provide information as if “by the way” so that the reader feels like you are referring to him through the text and want to explain your impressions specifically to him. Contact with the reader is very important in this form of writing.

The Paradox

One of the most important qualities of an essay is that it should surprise the reader. You should use some strong phrases or quotes that will support your argument throughout the work.

The advantage will be on your side if you use paradoxical definitions or phenomena, which will appear simultaneously as indisputable but mutually exclusive statements. Feel free to use abstracts and aphorisms.

Meaningful Unity

This is probably the only paradox of the genre (not including the point written above). Why? Because the essay must be subjective , it must have a free composition and characteristics, but at the same time, it must have an internal semantic unity.

Your personal opinion should be expressed and supported here. Actually, this is about supporting the same opinion, which you will support with different thesis and statements. All of them should bring the idea of ​​the essay to one specific conclusion, that is your opinion.

Use of Simple Language

Your essay can be written in any form, but at the same time, it is not necessary, or better to say, you cannot use slang, shortening words, light-hearted tone, using strange abbreviations, and formulaic phrases. Do not forget that this is a serious piece of work with specific arguments and not an arbitrary letter to a friend.

Authoritarianism

You should submit information in such a way as to persuade the reader to adopt the same position he supports in his work. The author should not use aggressive words, but his arguments should be specific, and they should be considered indisputable.

Use an Element of Surprise

To make your essay memorable, do not be afraid to use catchy phrases, loud quotes, and unexpected arguments. This will arouse emotions in the reader, and your essay will be remembered. The main thing is that the used arguments are not aggressive, do not contradict your basic opinion, and are not written in rough language.

The Logic of Presentation.

Again, despite the free composition, the essay must have internal unity and the coherence of the author’s statements that express his opinion.

Because the rules of writing an essay are rather conditional, the author has the opportunity to fully indulge in his creative potential and use various interesting methods for writing this genre of paperwork.

The main thing to remember is that your thoughts and arguments should be united and interest the reader to read your work and take your side.

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Eight Essential Qualities of Pastors Who Love Their Jobs

by Sam Rainer President & Senior Consultant

You can do your job well without loving it. However, for pastors, the calling often goes beyond mere duty. It encompasses a passion for serving and guiding their flocks. What distinguishes pastors who love their jobs from those who do their jobs? It boils down to several essential qualities.

They embrace awkward moments . At my first church, the lone deacon would take a smoke break in the middle of my sermon. (Yes, I preached too long.) Then, there was the time someone brought a pet parrot to church. (No, I didn’t get any amens from the bird.) And I’ll never forget the several demonstrators who gathered with signs to protest our women wearing pants. There are many other awkward moments I can’t put into writing—yet. Pastors who love their jobs genuinely enjoy these moments and laugh at the strangeness of church life.  

They don’t take criticism personally . This one took me a while to learn. I remember many years ago, a member criticized my wife in front of everyone for how she led worship.

“That wasn’t real worship! How terrible!” This member then added a few other choice comments about my wife.

I responded, “There are plenty of other dead churches in this town who would welcome another corpse if you don’t like it here.”

It was not my finest moment. But this instance—and many others—taught me to listen, reflect, and discern whether there’s a lesson to be learned from someone’s criticism. Usually, there is. Pastors who love their jobs learn from criticism without it affecting their personal worth or dedication.

They enjoy listening as much as talking . I’m often happiest when I have a microphone in my hand. Like many church leaders, I relish teaching God’s Word. But pastors who love their jobs also excel in active listening, demonstrating empathy and understanding. You preach better sermons when you find great joy in the story of your people.

They create a culture of levity . Church work is serious. The eternity of souls is at stake! But laughter and light-heartedness build community. At my church, we love practical jokes. A culture of fun helps people feel like they belong. Walk into a room full of serious scowls—how do you feel? Like you belong? It’s much easier to assimilate into a group of people who laugh with you.

They accept uncertainty and have a clear understanding of expectations . The path of ministry is rarely straightforward. Uncertainty is everywhere. While the mission of God will take you to unexpected places, you should set boundaries within your congregation. Pastors who love their jobs can handle the uncertainty of the mission dei because they have certainty of expectations in the relationships with their congregations.

They are self-aware and driven . Self-aware pastors are adaptable and flexible. They not only have confidence in their strengths, but they also proactively seek accountability for their weaknesses. You can be self-aware but not driven. These pastors make for enjoyable company but rarely accomplish much.

Conversely, you can be driven but not self-aware. These pastors reach their goals but often run over people in the process. Pastors who love their jobs manage to balance self-awareness and ambition, and they energize the people around them.

They love discovering new activities and people in their communities . Churches are vehicles to send people into the surrounding neighborhoods. If you don’t love your community, it’s challenging to reach your community. Pastors who love their jobs genuinely enjoy discovering new parts of their mission field. When you dislike where you live, it’s difficult to love what you do in ministry.

They focus on reasonable and attainable mid-term goals . It’s one thing to have a vision for the long-term growth of your church. It’s another thing to make consistent progress every few months. Pastors who love their jobs give more time and energy to mid-term strategy than long-term vision. What is a typical timeframe for these strategies? Six months. You are far more likely to love what you do when you accomplish two major objectives a year.

What tasks do pastors love about their jobs? Preaching is usually at the top of surveys, followed by developing or discipling believers. Most pastors say they are satisfied with being a pastor, but many are split as to whether or not they are satisfied at their current church. Research reveals that many pastors enjoy specific tasks but struggle with satisfaction in their churches. Pastors with these eight qualities are more likely to love their jobs.

What qualities might you add to this list?

Posted on April 10, 2024

As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does. More from Sam

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A prayer meeting when it seems as if we have passed through the veil between heaven and earth and really connected with God together. Incredibly refreshing.

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J. Cole Shocked the World With His Kendrick Apology. But We Should Have All Seen It Coming.

This feud was never J. Cole’s path to take, and that reality is only underscored by his life and rhymes up until this point.

Words by John Kennedy — Last night, J. Cole did the unthinkable. But knowing the way he’s moved for the past decade, should we really be surprised?

In the closing performance of his Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, N.C., Cole renounced a days-old “7 Minute Drill” diss track to Kendrick Lamar and expressed regret for disingenuously succumbing to public and private pressure to respond to the Compton MC’s jabs on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” He even went so far as to call it “the lamest shit I did in my fuckin’ life.”

Hip-hop has rarely seen such a brief and anticlimactic clash of this magnitude, which has put the meme machine and hot-take spin cycle into overdrive. After hearing the surprisingly complimentary “7 Minute Drill,” which was criticized by some as the nicest diss song of all time, Joe Budden suggested that, word to De La Soul, the stakes were too high for Cole . Others questioned whether his song made its intended impact or if he was scared of Kendrick’s retort. Regardless of whether you applaud or spurn the 39-year-old rapper’s move, the truth is, this feud was never Cole’s path to take. And that reality is only underscored by his life and rhymes up until this point.

View this video on YouTube

Ten years ago, in the aftermath of Kendrick’s ground-shaking challenge to his peers on Big Sean’s 2013 “Control,” Cole decided he would do rap stardom differently. His third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive , replaced a previous thirst for validation with contentment (see “Love Yourz,” where he recognizes comparison as a killer of joy). He also became more peaceful. On that project’s closer, “Note to Self,” Cole namechecks Drake, Wale, and, yes, Kendrick, insisting, “We gotta be the example, we gotta show these niggas, man. It's love at the top.” On “Fire Squad,” he adds, “Ain’t gon’ be no more kings,” evoking imagery of destroying the proverbial rap crown like Frodo completing his Mordor mission.

This self-awareness and ego-shedding became a consistent thread in Cole’s work: He preaches gratitude to a “bitter” nameless rapper (postulated by many to be Wale) on the 2016 track “False Prophets,” pays homage to Drake on 2019’s “Middle Child,” and takes a humble stance on the big three with “Heaven’s EP” two years later. When Cole appeared on an episode of Kevin Durant ’s The ETCs podcast in 2021, he specifically spoke about quelling his desire to one-up Drizzy or Kung-Fu Kenny: “As I’ve gotten older, I realize…no one is truly my peer or can relate to what’s going on in my life better than these people right here. And I really genuinely fuck with these dudes.”

Around 2018, Cole went from being a beacon of self-contained artistry to king of the guest verse, outshining his musical comrades at every opportunity. Throughout this celebrated feature run, his boasts became more and more brazen. He found increasingly inventive ways to insist your favorite rapper can’t fuck with him, coming up with elaborate scenarios about lyrical spars with Jesus and spooky collaboration requests via FaceTime. Cole is a traditionalist and student of the sport. He understands as well as anyone that competition comes with the territory—even if he didn’t name names or belittle anyone specifically while applying pressure.

The braggadocio seemed par for the course until Cole name-dropped Kendrick on a song with Dot’s rap nemesis (Drake’s “First Person Shooter”) last year, citing the three artists as the “hardest” MCs. That praise apparently wasn’t high enough for Kendrick, who tossed the gauntlet on “Like That” in response. Although most of his smoke was for Drake, Cole was indirectly hit with some shrapnel. After he’d been beating his chest over these past few years, Cole had all but been cornered into shooting back—a reaction that recalls his 2021 track “Let Go My Hand” (“With my reputation at stake/I was scufflin’ just to save face"). Instead of taking a beat to whoosah , Cole called into question one of his generation’s most sterling musical catalogs: “Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragic/Your second shit put niggas to sleep, but they gassed it.” 

Based on Cole’s M.O. this past decade, it’s clear he didn’t want to trade shots with an artist he’s supported since his breakout. (It’s apparent in “7 Minute Drill,” too, from the dispassionate delivery to the time spent penning it , as alluded to in the title.) Yet, as an artist who grew up idolizing battle-tested rappers like Jay-Z, Pac, Nas, Canibus, and Eminem, he likely considered it a necessary career canon event. So he went against his nature, backpedaled, and apologized, which only created a bigger mess than if he’d simply ignored Kendrick. And here we are.

J. Cole speaks on “7 Minute Drill” 👀 “We’re taking that song off f***ing streaming services.” pic.twitter.com/I8SqyTMfRu — Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) April 8, 2024

“I got the world and I got my niggas like, ‘What you gonna do, Cole?’” he said last night, adding that he didn’t take offense to “Like That” and has great respect for Kendrick. “I felt conflicted because I don’t really feel no way. But the world wants to see blood.”

Pride is the devil, indeed. But what’s done is done. There’s a whole multiverse of ways this saga could’ve played out, but Cole’s ’s disengagement from rap’s royal rumble could have major  implications for his career (and potentially, the whole hierarchy of rap). It’s already eclipsed conversation around Might Delete Later , a strong batch of throwaways. Does it also negate the grandeur of Cole’s dazzling guest verse run? Will it forever relegate him to the third place—or worse—in conversations about the best blog-era rappers ever hosted on a Z-Share server? Does the fallout dampen the lofty expectations for The Fall Off ? At a time when he’s been rapping with competitive fire and obsessively committing himself to writing exercises , will this apology take the sting out of any brash lyrical boasts on the new album? Will he recover?

And then there’s Kendrick.

While attention will soon shift to the next phase of Drake and Kendrick’s long-simmering rivalry, it’s plausible that Cole will continue to catch heat from the latter. And even if Cole does manage to escape this inconvenient group chat, it feels inevitable that his apology will find its way into someone else’s rhyme book (likely his own too).

All that said, the internet has a short memory, so one can only be so pessimistic about Cole’s future. He built his personal brand on candor, transparency, and accountability. He’s been telling us, over and over for the past decade, what kind of man he is. His ability to admit that he moved in a misaligned manner—with sincere words about his friend and fellow rhymer—will likely endear fans to those qualities. And, ultimately, as Cole mentions in “7 Minute Drill” (which, interestingly, has yet to be pulled from streaming services, like he promised), he’s in his lyrical prime. At the end of the day, the day gotta end, but great music endures.

Take a moment to mourn how Cole’s cease-fire set ablaze our rap battle fantasies. But don’t get too down on him for 'humaning' in public. Yes, we may never know how a back-and-forth between these giants would’ve played out. Instead, we witnessed a gift we didn’t know we needed: an example of what it looks like to step onstage, scan an audience of more than 50,000 bloodthirsty fans, recognize your ego, and then choose peace over drama. Even if it might have career repercussions.

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