Job Hunting
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Eight Essential Behaviors That Will Make You An Outstanding Employee In The Workplace

March 14, 2023

There are countless qualities that make up a great employee, but these eight essential behaviors are the ones to look for in potential hires - or if you're a jobseeker, will really set you apart in the workplace.

From being proactive and taking initiative to showing respect and demonstrating leadership, find out how these eight behaviors can help you become an outstanding employee in any environment.

1. Have a Positive Attitude

It's no secret that having a good attitude at work can make a big difference in your career. A positive outlook will not only make you more pleasant to be around, but it can also lead to increased success and opportunities. Conversely, a negative attitude can quickly derail your career and damage your professional reputation.

People remember the employees who gripe and complain constantly, and aren't happy at work. Showing up as the best version of yourself and brushing negative feelings aside can go a long way here.

2. Be a Team Player

In order to be a successful employee in the workplace, it is essential to be a team player. Being a team player means being able to work well with others, being cooperative and collaborative, and being able to communicate effectively. It also means being able to take direction from those in charge and follow through on tasks. Here are some specific ways you can be a successful team player in the workplace:

1. Work well with others. This includes being able to communicate effectively, listen attentively, and be respectful of others' ideas and opinions. It also means being able to compromise and work towards consensus when necessary.

2. Be cooperative and collaborative. This means being willing to work together towards common goals, and being open to input from others. It also means being willing to share information and resources, as well as offering help when needed.

3. Be able to take direction from those in charge. This includes being willing to accept feedback and critiques, as well as following instructions and guidelines. It also means being accountable for your own actions and taking responsibility for your own work.

3. Respect Others

When you are respectful to others, you show that you value their opinions and ideas. You also create an environment of trust and mutual respect. This is essential in the workplace, where different people with different backgrounds and perspectives need to work together.

Respectful employees listen to others and value their input. They avoid talking over others or interrupting them. They also keep an open mind, even when they disagree with someone. Instead of getting defensive orArguing, they try to understand the other person’s point of view.

Respectful employees also give credit where it’s due. They avoid taking credit for other people’s work or ideas. And when they make a mistake, they own up to it and apologize.

Finally, respectful employees treat everyone equally. They don’t play favorites or discriminate against anyone. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter their job title or position in the company

4. Take Initiative and Show Enthusiasm

In order to be an outstanding employee in the workplace, it is essential that you take initiative and show enthusiasm for your work. Employees who are proactive and display a positive attitude towards their work are more likely to be successful in their roles and contribute to the overall success of the company.

When you take initiative, it shows that you are willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done. This can be something as simple as offering to help with a project or task that needs to be completed, or going above and beyond your normal job duties. No matter what it is, taking initiative demonstrates that you are invested in your work and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done right.

In addition to taking initiative, it is also important that you show enthusiasm for your work. Employees who are passionate about their jobs and have a positive outlook are more likely to be successful than those who do not. Showing enthusiasm for your work shows that you care about your job and are dedicated to doing your best. It also sets a positive tone for the rest of the team, which can lead to increased productivity and morale.

5. Be Flexible and Adaptable in the Workplace

In order to be an outstanding employee in the workplace, you must be flexible and adaptable. This means being able to adapt to change and handle new situations as they come up. It also means being able to work with different types of people and in different types of environments.

Being flexible and adaptable are essential skills for any employee. With the ever-changing landscape of the workplace, it’s more important than ever to be able to adjust to new situations quickly and easily. Whether it’s a new boss, a new coworker, or a new project, being flexible and adaptable will help you thrive in any situation.

Here are some tips for being flexible and adaptable in the workplace:

1. Be open to change. The workplace is constantly changing, so it’s important to be open to change as well. When you’re open to change, you’ll be able to adapt more easily when things do change.

2. Be willing to try new things. Trying new things can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that everyone was new at one point. By being willing to try new things, you’ll show your willingness to learn and grow.

3. Be patient with yourself and others. Learning something new takes time, so be patient with yourself and others as you all adjust to the changes taking place in the workplace.

6. Have Good Communication Skills

Some people are natural communicators, but even if you're not one of them, the good news is: communication is a skill that can be learned. Good communication skills are essential in the workplace for a number of reasons.

For one, being able to communicate effectively with your co-workers is essential to maintaining a good working relationship with them. If you're able to communicate well, you'll be able to collaborate more effectively and get tasks done more efficiently. Additionally, good communication skills are important for networking and building relationships with people inside and outside of your company. These relationships can lead to new opportunities and help further your career.

Finally, strong communication skills are also important for managing up. When you're able to communicate effectively with your boss, you're more likely to be successful in getting your ideas across and implementing them successfully.

If you want to be an outstanding employee in the workplace, make sure you have good communication skills.

7. Manage Your Time Well

Managing your time well, especially as you progress into more senior roles and take on more responsibilities, is key. Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Make a to-do list
This will help you keep track of what tasks need to be completed and in what order they need to be done in. items can be prioritized from most to least important.

2. Set deadlines for yourself
Having set deadlines will ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner and will help to avoid any last minute rushes. It is also helpful to set smaller deadlines for parts of a larger project so that it does not feel as daunting.

3. Take breaks
It is important to take breaks throughout the day in order to stay fresh and focused. Breaks can be used for things like stretching, getting some fresh air, or grabbing a quick snack.

4. Delegate
If there are people who can help you with certain tasks, delegate those tasks so that you are not trying to do everything yourself. This will free up some of your time so that you can focus on other things.

5. Say no
Learning to say no is an important part of time management because it allows you to focus on the tasks that are truly important to you without getting bogged down by requests from others.

8. Offer Solutions

Finally, iff you want to be an outstanding employee in the workplace, you need to offer solutions. This means being proactive and offering up ideas and solutions when problems arise. It also means taking initiative on projects and tasks, and seeing them through to completion.

Employees who are always offering solutions are valuable assets to any organization.

Hiring managers - what are some of the skills you've seen your most successful hires bring to the workplace? Are there any you would include on this list? 

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