The Top 10 Core Competencies for Exceptional Employees

Have you ever wondered why others are getting promoted and you aren't? Are you looking to fire and/or lay-off proof yourself? The following Core Competencies of the Exceptional Employee are an excellent way to explore and inventory those areas that you need to work on to improve your performance at work!

1. Accepts Ambiguity.

How many times in your career have you been fully trained so that no matter what situation you experienced you always knew what to do? I doubt probably ever - because it's impossible. So it's important that you recognize that people and situations are never black and white. Employers hire and keep employees who are capable of finding their own solutions. An employee who accepts ambiguity well exhibits the following: they don't overanalyze situations, they size things up quickly and take action, they easily find their own solutions based on minimal information, they work well in the "gray area" and they're able to "fill in the blanks".

2. Is Able To Operate In A Team Environment.

Yea, yea, I know, you've heard this a million times - "You must be a team player." There's a reason you've heard it a million times - because it's true! There is no job out there that doesn't require people to interact, so you have to be skilled at relationship building and be able to solicit and accept other perspectives. You need to be able to easily build support with others, keep an open mind, collaborate vs. compete and share information freely. In addition, someone who works well in a team environment is able to reframe a situation from "Who" is right to "What" is right.

3. Takes Initiative

In Bob Nelson's book, "Please Don't Just Do What I Tell You, Do What Needs To Be Done" he describes the "Ultimate Expectation" every employer has for their employees which is to "Always do what most needs to be done without waiting to be asked". This pretty much sums up what an exceptional employee does who takes initiative. In addition, an employee who exhibits initiative exhibits the following characteristics: they are always looking to improve processes, they assume authority and "take charge", they are always curious and fearless, they are willing to make mistakes, they trust themselves and respond to their own intuition and they aren't "high maitenance".

4. Perseveres

This competency is the back end of taking initiative. Someone who takes initiative starts things, and an employee who perseveres makes sure they finish what they started. An exceptional employee who perseveres follows through on their commitments, see problems and obstacles as challenges, isn't swayed by resistance and focuses on what can be done vs. what can't be done.

5. Communicates And Listens Cleanly.

We've all heard the saying "It’s not what you say, but how you say it." How often have you walked away from a conversation feeling badly because of the tone the other person used. Be mindful of how you are coming across and people will not avoid talking to you and seeking you out. An employee who is communicating cleanly is responsible for how they're "heard", is open to feedback and suggestions, is criticism free, doesn't gossip, listens to exactly what the other person is saying and makes time for communication by not interrupting and uses good eye contact.

6. Relishes Change

Have you ever worked with someone who was resistant to change? The stress created by that resistance can wreak havoc on the individual, those around them and the organization itself. An employee who relishes change recognizes that change is inevitable and therefore quickly embraces change in order to reduce its stress. They are also flexible, adaptable and move with change rather than against it.

7. Is Always Working To Become The Expert

An employee who exhibits this competency is constantly looking for ways to improve a process, is always curious and learning. These employees become the "go to" person who then become very valuable to the organization and tend not to be laid off or fired. Once you've become the expert at your own job, in your own department, move on to become the expert at other functions and you'll really become valuable!

8. Truly Enjoys Their Work and Work Environment

Have you ever worked with someone who really didn't enjoy their work, their work environment or who they were working with? It becomes extremely obvious and ultimately affects every aspect of their work. Employees who enjoy their work and work environment have the attitude that they "want to" be there instead of "have to" be there. They are excited to get up in the morning and as a result they tend to always be a top performer. In addition, their work and work environment are a good match for their skills, personality, values, aptitudes and strengths.

9. Is Self-Aware

This one may seem a little bizarre in a list of workplace competencies, but think about people in your workplace who have little insight into WHY they do what they do, understanding themselves or those around them. Employees who are self-aware are self-motivating, self-accountable, self-responsible and self-inspiring. They've found meaning in their work, they don't play games, gossip, aren't into politicing or scheming. In addition, they are able to accept constructive criticism, suspend judgment, correctly interpret situations, avoid over-reacting to circumstances and avoid blame.

10. Maintains Balance In All Areas Of Life

This competency is the last one and pulls it all together. An employee who doesn't have their life in balance will think about home when they're at work or vice-versa, which isn't healthy where ever they are. There are approximately 12 different areas of a balanced life: family, friends, career, money, fun, creativity, spiritual, health, personal growth, relationship, living space and service. If any of these are not being attended to, they will affect an employees work life and performance. The other point about this competency is to maintain appropriate boundaries. Having appropriate boundaries allows you to "work smarter not harder".

This piece was originally submitted by Brenda Cody, B.S.B.A, M.S., Coach and Trainer, who can be reached at Brenda@LifeRequiresAction.com or visited on the web. Brenda Cody wants you to know: I have 20 years of corporate experience working in small, medium and large businesses. In 20 years I have observed what worked for me and what worked for others in the work environment. I have my B.S.B.A. degree in Human Resources and my M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling.