Personality traits to keep an eye out for

In a perfect world, your business would be powered by a dream team—people who show true leadership, reinforce your company’s vision, and push the organisation forward with energy and purpose. But the reality is rarely perfect.

You may have caught yourself thinking, “If only I had twenty more of that person.” And in theory, you could, depending on who you choose to hire.

A prestigious job title might be waiting for the ideal candidate, but selecting someone solely because they can perform the basic duties of the role won’t necessarily unlock your company’s full potential.

Yes, you need someone to fill the position, but hiring a person who not only meets the skill requirements but also brings essential qualities and strengths is what truly drives business growth.

Your organisation likely has a diverse mix of personalities who keep daily operations running smoothly. Yet many business owners and managers can name only a few individuals who consistently make a meaningful impact.

Typically, interviews focus on reviewing a candidate’s CV and assessing their character. They may appear competent on paper, hold a good conversation, have a sense of humour, and seem like someone who will fit in well. But chances are, you already have several employees who check those same boxes.

So, ask yourself: Do you have someone, or better yet, a team who delivers results on time? Someone you trust to delegate effectively and pair the right people with the right tasks? Someone who can spot opportunities, is eager to learn, driven to grow, and motivated to help develop others?

Here are some personality traits to look for to help your business be the best it can be. 

Mr Teacher

We all started our careers at the bottom and worked our way up. Some of us may have done this through sheer motivation to thrive and others may have had help along the way. 

It’s useful (and saves money) to have a set of employees who can help others to upskill in the workplace. A good mentor loves to share their knowledge and nurture fresh employees. This person helps speed up the learning process, improve productivity and effectively increase contributions to your business.

Mr Facilitator

There are common objectives which need to be achieved when working in a business and a facilitator is someone who inflicts a healthy dose of haste onto others to make sure everyone knuckles down and gets the job done. Unfortunately, not everyone likes this guy. But every team needs one.

Mr Knowledgeable

Knowledge comes with experience, but you can also find it in documents, customers, employee relationships and professional associations. Those who thrive on knowledge have the power to filter it through to the veins of work culture, either by day-to-day chats, or by using incentives and training. Sharing knowledge can improve workers’ efficiency, enhance their skills, and encourage critical thinking.

Mr Attention to detail

Attention to detail is the difference between a good business and a great business, which is why you need someone who works hard, who cares and is passionate about what they do. 

This person provides exceptional service and is consistent. They make promises and overdeliver, and as a result, your business sustains a wave of repeat and loyal customers.

Mr Dependable

Having someone who is trustworthy makes them an essential asset to the team. This person is thorough, careful, disciplined and communicates well. They are capable of deploying tasks and know how to keep their team on track. Honest, hard-working staff gets the job done and done right, no questions asked.

Mr Morale booster

Businesses stumble and hit the ground when they experience a bout of low sales, have concerns with suppliers or competitors, or have internal issues such as lack of employee engagement or personal loss. 

There can be more questions than answers and morale can hit an all time low for every one. Difficulties arise at any given moment, so make sure there are people on your team who can lead by example, carry out random acts of kindness, set goals and reward workers, and offer compliments to those who have gone above and beyond. This person has presence and turns frowns upside down – even in the darkest of tunnels.

Mr Reality check

Tim Alpe, founder of JUCY rentals, says he’s not good at saying no to opportunities, but is thankful for his workforce “who have been able to ask tough questions – is this the right thing for the business and then having the balls to turn around and say no, don’t do it”. Having someone in the team who can speak up and question an idea or corporate direction bodes well for the future of a successful business.