ASAP Services, LLC

There’s people and then there’s people that will make you stop, turn around and go back. Have you ever felt that? Do you know what’s the difference between them and the rest?

If you have felt that someone among your team just makes a difference is because they probably just truly are! Exceptional employees have diligent personalities, project a good attitude and they’re also dependable. Like Jeff Haden expresses: “they possess a wide range of easily defined — but hard to find — qualities”

According to Haden, there are 8 qualities that make an exceptional employee that don’t necessarily show on performance reviews but still have a great impact on their day to day performance

The qualities of an exceptional employee are:

1. They’re different

The very best employees are often somewhat offbeat: quirky, irreverent, even delighted to be unusual. While they might seem slightly odd, it’s in a really good way: unusual personalities shake things up, make work more fun, and transform a plain-vanilla group into a team with flair and flavor.

2. They know when to dial it back

Exceptional employees know when to play and when to be serious; when to be irreverent and when to conform; when to challenge and when to back off.

3. They don’t care about job descriptions

The smaller the company, the more important it is that employees can think on their feet, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and do whatever it takes, regardless of role or position, to get things done.

4. They publicly praise

Recognition from a boss feels good. Recognition from a peer feels awesome, especially when you look up to that person.

5. They privately complain

We all want employees to bring issues forward, but some problems are best handled in private. Exceptional employees come to their boss before or after a meeting to discuss a sensitive issue, knowing that bringing it up in a group setting could set off a firestorm.

6. They speak when others won’t

Exceptional employees have an innate feel for the issues and concerns of those around them, and step up to ask questions or raise important issues when others hesitate.

7. They like to prove other people wrong

Education, intelligence, talent, and skill are important, but drive is critical. Exceptional employees are driven by something deeper and more personal than just the desire to do a good job.

8. They’re always tinkering

Good employees follow processes. Exceptional employees follow process but also work to make those processes even better, not only because they are expected to, but because they just can’t help it. The just go the extra mile