by Nuture HR
Although we are all varyingly dissimilar and similar to one another, how is it that some people are better employees than others?
Typically, a great employee is someone considered to be: • Productive • Honest • Self-motivated • Reliable • Ethical
• Communicative • Committed • Passionate • Task focused • Dedicated
Many of these predictors appear to be personality traits, interestingly research has found a correlational relationship between vocational choice and personality traits (Garcia-Sedeño, Navarro & Menacho, 2009; Nordvik, 1996). Therefore, if in the same fields we all have similar personalities, why are others ahead?
A recent analysis by Uusiautti and Maatta (2015, pp. 34-38) found the best predictive qualities of a great employee, is their appreciation for challenges, exceptional interpersonal skills, autonomous working skills, the belief that work is rewarding accompanied with a positive attitude towards work. Many people possess some of these skills individually, but when all are acting in conjunction with one another, success is apparent. These attitudes have also been linked to high productivity, long term success and a greater sense of wellbeing (Sherman, Randall & Kauanui, 2015).
Furthermore, Uusiautti and Maatta (2015, pp. 141) determined that an equally fundamental factor of great employees are positive work experiences; from the work itself and the employee’s experiences at work. Successful workers need successful work environments to flourish in conjunction with the individual personality traits. A supportive work environment is central to an employee’s ability to achieve.
For further information on this, please contact Eva and her team at Nurture HR Consulting via phone 43 125 120 or email: eva@nurturehrconsulting.com.au
by Nuture HR
The awe inspiring performances of our Australian athletes at this year’s Rio Olympics show them to be nothing less than determined, driven and focused. These Olympians faced the highs and the lows and need to be resilient and persevere to get back up when they don’t reach the success they strive for in their individual disciplines.
Cate Campbell freestyle world record holder finished 6th in her strongest event, she had been tipped as strongest to win. Translating this into our everyday organisations, how do we encourage those driven and ambitious employees in our workforce to maintain high performance and consistency in their day to day work, even in challenging times.
Organisations can encourage and support their employees in driving and continuing high performance via:
- Ensuring expectations are clear
Employees like clear direction from the organisation on what is expected so they can meet those expectations and strive for success.
- Provide employees with a vision for the organisation
Be inspirational when setting the vision for the organisation and ensuring that message is communicated effectively. Employees like to know what the organisation is doing and where it is going. A clear vision and inspirational message will provide employees with confidence that the organisation has clear goals and objectives, which will provide them with security and stability on the future of the organisation.
- Provide regular feedback and encouragement
Communicate clear strategies and goals to employees. Employees like to know what they are doing right. Are their actions making an impact in the organisation, and how can they improve? Through the setting of clear, realistic and measured goals, both the line manager and employee can discuss performance and provide feedback during performance development meetings. Employees are more motivated when they are recognised and given regular feedback, goal setting can ensure both these can be can be met.
- Negative feedback
Employees aren’t motivated by negative feedback or being dressed down in from of their colleagues and peers. Negative feedback should be delivered in a tactful, direct way behind closed doors to maintain professionalism and to avoid the matter escalating out of control.
- Recognition
Praise your employees, let them know they have done a great job. Employees are highly motivated if they feel they are being appreciated for the time and effort they put into a task or project. It doesn’t cost anything to simply say, “Thank you”.
- Development and training
Providing regular training and development to your employees, not only identifies you as an organisation that is committed to investing in their employees and developing them, it also a great way of motivating and keeping them interested in their job which will maintain their performance.
- Be interested in your employees
Showing an interest in your employees will highlight to them that you are aware of them and their individual circumstances. Employees will feel a strong sense of connection and affiliation with their workplace and a sense of pride. Happy employees are motivated employees who will strive to do the best they can!
For further information on how to motivate your employees please contact Eva and her team at Nurture HR Consulting via phone 43 125 120 or email: eva@nurturehrconsulting.com.au
by Nuture HR
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances. If there is any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung
The Grandfather of personality psychology, Gordon Allport, saw personality through an ideographical approach- he viewed the individual uniqueness and experience. Allport concluded, that personality traits are innate neuropsychological properties, initiating individuals to act in a meaningful consistent way across time and situation (Sollod et al., 2012 pp. 2).
Carl Jung furthered the study of personality and referred to it as the predispositions to behave in a certain manner. Consequently, personality across the board is unique to the individual.
Personality within organisations make work interesting and conversely at times, challenging. That is why within business you need to be aware of its advantages but also attentive to its impacts on individual performance and team cohesiveness and the relationships and follow through with clients.
Listed below are some advantages and disadvantages to be aware of when uniting personalities within workplaces:
Advantages:
- Some personalities mix well with others and allow for greater success.
- Great leaders are approachable, understanding and adaptable to others personalities.
- Research suggests that individual personalities within teams can influence team dynamics
- Individuals need to understand the power of the situation and its role on different personalities.
- Personalities working together can increase creative thinking
- Different personalities can motivate one another
Disadvantages:
- Often first impressions are subjective to the situation (i.e. first time meeting co-workers is nerve racking) and may force a false judgement.
Different personalities vary in productiveness, attention to detail, ability to commit to projects, motivation etc. Hence, it is worth understanding personalities to better organise teams.
For more information on personality within workplaces please contact eva@nurturehrconsulting.com.au
Reference: Sollod, R., Monte, C., & Boag,S.(2012). Beneath the mask. Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
