Frequently I’m asked, “What is the one thing that sets really great employees apart from the rest?” It’s an interesting question. I’m always surprised that people would assume that there might be a single common thread that ties all the best employees together. The questioners assume there is a single trait shared by the best employees instead of thinking that what makes the best employees, well, the best, is their individuality and personal strengths.
I typically answer their question with a single word, “Yes.” I do believe there is a single trait that is shared by all of the best people I have worked with over the years.
My one word answer is usually followed by another inquiry from my questioner. Now, the second question varies depending on who I am speaking with. It usually reflects their own opinion of what makes a great employee and, I suspect, is regarding a trait they feel they possess. Here are a few of the most common follow-up questions to “What is the one thing that sets really great employees apart from the rest?”
“Is it intelligence?” The assumption is that the best employees must also be the brightest. If they’re not the smartest, how can they be the best? And, of course, intelligence is important. A person must be bright enough to do the job well, but I don’t believe that raw intelligence is the benchmark for great employees. If it were, we’d just give everyone an IQ test in the hiring process and we’d have nothing but geniuses working for us. Everyone would be a star. It doesn’t work that way.
“Is it attitude?” I’ve written often that passion for your work and a positive attitude are critical for success in the workplace, but attitude alone doesn’t make someone a great employee. Let’s face it, we can all rattle off a list of really enthusiastic coworkers who are fine people and good employees, but not necessarily the best. Do the best employees have a great attitude? Sure. But a lot of average employees have a great attitude, too.
“Is it work ethic?” Plain old hard work is important as well. I’m a big believer that you don’t set yourself apart by being lazy. Thomas Edison said it best, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” Again, you can find plenty of hard workers who aren’t the best employees, but you’ll never find a great employee who isn’t a hard worker.
“Is it leadership skills?” The misguided assumption here is that the best employees always end up at the top of the organization and, therefore, leadership skills must be what sets them apart from the others. This is also not the case. Sure, some great employees are also great leaders, but that’s more based on the law of averages. There are great employees that possess leadership skills and others that can be great contributors but never could be in a position to lead others. Leadership ability isn’t the determining factor when it comes to great employees.
So if that single determinant of a great employee isn’t intelligence, attitude, work ethic, or leadership ability, what is it? If I have to sum it up in a single word, that word would be fearlessness. The best employees are not afraid. They’re not afraid to take on a new task, even though they don’t know how they’ll complete it successfully. The best employees aren’t afraid to ask questions when they don’t have the answers. The best employees aren’t afraid to take calculated risks in hope of making a breakthrough. The best employees are not afraid to admit that they aren’t the smartest person in the room. The best employees aren’t afraid to take on the biggest challenge when everyone else shies away.
The best employees aren’t afraid to try, because they aren’t afraid to fail. The best of the best know that if they don’t get it right the first time, they’ll keep trying until they get it right. Their fearlessness frees them from the constraints that hold so many others back. Their fearlessness gives them a resiliency that propels them forward.
Do you need bright, hard-working people with great attitudes? You bet. But if you can find those people who have all these attributes AND are fearless, you’ll have a great employee who can have a tremendous impact on your organization.