What is the most valuable quality to bring to the workplace?

[Anonymous]

Clear communication. I cannot believe how bad so many people are at this

[Anonymous]

Positive attitude/team player, and I'm kind of a workhorse so stuff always gets done.

[Anonymous]

- Manage expectations.
- Do not give your best.
- Observe what kind of work culture is in your office and function according to that. No need to be the smartest and kindest person in a company filled with cruel and stupid people.
- If you work for a fool, CYA.
- Don't let people know that you are smarter than them.
- Be social, polite and cheerful. But, don't share anything of value.
- Don't let other take credit for your work.
- Cover for your boss at least one time.
- Learn new skills quickly and move to a new job.
- Learn to market yourself and negotiate a good salary.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I wonder how the heck I've survived so many jobs. I think one reason is that I happen to be intrinsically motivated and genuinely care about doing a good job. You can't teach that. My projects are always well-executed and high quality. I go above and beyond the ask and make things better.

I also am curious and can absorb new skills/info better than most of my coworkers. For example, there will be 10 of us in a meeting where someone is describing a new technology or process, and yet, I'm the only one who will absorb the info and apply it moving forward. So I often become a subject matter expert, even though other people have access to the same exact information.

[Anonymous]

Showing up and showing up on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll never forget my extraordinarily critical, negative boss (who I mostly liked because she replicated my high -functioning, completely dysfunctional family environment perfectly) being mad about a slide they showed in her remedial management class the same week as a thing that upset her at work. There were quadrants in the class that showed a survey of managers who were:

Competent/Well liked
Competent/Disliked
Incompetent/Well liked
Incompetent//Disliked

She found it astonishing that anyone would choose an incompetent but kind boss over a competent but harsh one, despite the vast majority of employees voting that way.

The upsetting work thing for my boss was that a colleague she revered had been demoted for slapping a subordinate (I am not making this up.) When she was ranting about the injustice done to her abusive colleague by some useless peon, I reminded her about the survey. She turned red and stomped away. She did moderate her behavior thereafter.

Meh. I work with a lot of competent, but disliked people (yay lawyers!). I would work for anyone but someone who is incompetent. I can’t stand stupidity and I won’t work for an idiot. I’m not a toddler and I don’t need people to be kind to me.

That being said, I go out of my way to support my employees. I’m not sure if they like me, but I am kind and competent.

Yeah. I have had these situations. I had a manager who was in way over his head. Great person, but really didn't do his team any favors as a manager in terms of managing our corporate team - I was at a manufacturing satellite facility. Meanwhile, at the same facility, we had a manager who was a real PITA, but was that way with everyone, including corporate. He did a good job of keeping them at bay which allowed us to get our work done.

For this overall, I try to treat folks fairly. When possible, explain the why certain changes are being implemented, not just the change. Gather feedback and incorporate it when possible as well. I work in an engineering role at a manufacturing facility and work daily with the production team. Getting them on your side goes a long way in being able to get stuff done.

[Anonymous]

Your authentic self
Boundaries, lots of boundaries
You first attitude

[Anonymous]

I had a colleague once ask who my favorite colleges to work with on projects were and she said “oh, you like people who are highly compassionate and highly competent.” I thought “don’t we all?!?”

Since then, I’ve learned a number of people I know don’t really care whether their colleagues are compassionate or not. I have a very hard time working with people who aren’t.

[Anonymous]

Im the kind of person that wants to know what will happen A to Z .. but it seems most people are fine working to fulfill a task.. but then panic when things could have gone a lot smoother with a little bit of extra planning..but Im left wondering.. am I the annoying worker?

[Anonymous]

Millennials (and I am one) are notoriously conflict averse so I value a manager who isn't afraid.
Like millennial manager will send out a passive aggressive email: "Going forward your department will have Punishment X applied."
Me "Can I ask what this is about?"
MM "the data shows there is a lot of (insert unprofessional behavior) occurring in your department."
Me "the data should also show that employee Z is the only one doing this, as I've told you quite a few times. The rest of my department is totally professional. I think you need to speak to employee Z in person as I've requested before. She doesn't seem to think I have any authority."
MM "I don't want Z to feel uncomfortable or singled out which is why I sent out this email to everyone."
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Ability to prioritize
Communication
Problem solving orientation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll never forget my extraordinarily critical, negative boss (who I mostly liked because she replicated my high -functioning, completely dysfunctional family environment perfectly) being mad about a slide they showed in her remedial management class the same week as a thing that upset her at work. There were quadrants in the class that showed a survey of managers who were:

Competent/Well liked
Competent/Disliked
Incompetent/Well liked
Incompetent//Disliked

She found it astonishing that anyone would choose an incompetent but kind boss over a competent but harsh one, despite the vast majority of employees voting that way.

The upsetting work thing for my boss was that a colleague she revered had been demoted for slapping a subordinate (I am not making this up.) When she was ranting about the injustice done to her abusive colleague by some useless peon, I reminded her about the survey. She turned red and stomped away. She did moderate her behavior thereafter.

Meh. I work with a lot of competent, but disliked people (yay lawyers!). I would work for anyone but someone who is incompetent. I can’t stand stupidity and I won’t work for an idiot. I’m not a toddler and I don’t need people to be kind to me.

That being said, I go out of my way to support my employees. I’m not sure if they like me, but I am kind and competent.

Yeah. I have had these situations. I had a manager who was in way over his head. Great person, but really didn't do his team any favors as a manager in terms of managing our corporate team - I was at a manufacturing satellite facility. Meanwhile, at the same facility, we had a manager who was a real PITA, but was that way with everyone, including corporate. He did a good job of keeping them at bay which allowed us to get our work done.

For this overall, I try to treat folks fairly. When possible, explain the why certain changes are being implemented, not just the change. Gather feedback and incorporate it when possible as well. I work in an engineering role at a manufacturing facility and work daily with the production team. Getting them on your side goes a long way in being able to get stuff done.

If you’re a manager you cannot be scared to be a PITA sometimes. It just does not work.

[Anonymous]

Work Ethic and Reasonableness

[Anonymous]

Depends on the role.

In consulting we usually have 1 or 2 very attractive twenty somethings we take to client meetings every time.

[Anonymous]

positive attitude + competence + can act with a sense of urgency