So, what makes a good employee?

As I listen to leaders and managers describe employee problems, and struggle over when to let someone go, seldom do they say this:  “that employee is simply not smart enough.”  No, the problem is almost always an issue that is best described as a behavior (work-ethic, work-discipline, get along with the team – or, some other “soft skill”) issue.

In other words, we need people at work who “work hard” — people who “put in the work” needed.  That sounds pretty obvious, but there are, sadly, plenty of people who have not developed such ability to “work hard.”

The new book by Paul Tough seems to offer some pretty impressive counsel.  Though the book sounds like it is primarily for parents and educators, it is in fact a perfect book for HR managers, and anyone tasked with hiring and developing employees.  The sub-title reveals the insight:  How Children Succeed:  Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character.  And the “character” he is talking about is not the “values” end of the character spectrum, but the “behavior/action/life-style traits” end of the spectrum.  The book is filled with information from numerous studies, but it boils down to these key character traits:

grit
self-control
zest
social intelligence
gratitude
optimism
curiosity

There is a pretty long section in the book on the role that “conscientiousness” plays in success.  (Some of the above seven are part of “conscientiousness”).  It really does almost boil down to this:  if a person has enough raw intelligence, then what is most important is this:  Is this the kind of person who finishes his or her work?  This trait is demonstrated by a better GPA in high school, the work ethic to earn enough credits for a college degree, and the kind of work ethic that does not fail to finish assignments at work.  Get this trait down well, and everything else becomes possible.  But for a person who fails to finish his or her work, everything else is precarious at best.

This is a great book for those who hire others.  It describes the traits to look for in that next employee.  (Although, you have to look elsewhere to find out how to successfully identify these traits in an employee).

But, what about the “training end” of this challenge?  How do you  “develop” these; how do you “train” these traits into an adult who has not mastered them by adulthood?  That is not the subject of the book, but I’ve got a hunch that Mr. Tough does not know the solution to this challenge either.

Now, time for a little self-examination.  How well do these traits describe you in your work and personal life?

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(I am presenting my synopsis of this book at the December 7, 2012 First Friday Book Synopsis.  It is a worthwhile and valuable book.  And a terrific read).