Most people think that the smartest or hardest-working employees are the best employees. However, one factor, aside from skill alone, is far more important, and it doesn’t have to do with technical skill, according to Mark Cuban. For instance, in his experience, employees who are most valuable make life easier for the people around them, not harder. That one habit can make a difference in the world, turning a trusted worker into a constant source of frustration in the workplace.
Talent Alone Isn’t Enough
Hard work, intelligence, and productivity are all important, but they’re not the key to being unforgettable at work. Competitive work is not the same as competitive employees, Cuban says, and the ones who excel in the long term are worth more than their performance alone.
The Best Employees Reduce Stress
The best employees are those who help ease the stress of their managers and teams, Cuban said. They think their way out of problems, remain cool under pressure and make things easier to deal with.
Drama Can Destroy Even Great Talent
Even highly talented staff members can be liabilities when they consistently add tension, conflict or needless aggravation. Those who create “firestorms” do more harm than good, Cuban warns.
Reliability Builds Real Trust
Managers recall staff who resolve problems without resorting to a crisis. It’s the people leaders who always make things run more smoothly rather than making things worse.
Problem Solvers Stand Out Quickly
An employee realized that he would have to cover for staff members due to a lack of employees, corrected equipment issues before they became a problem, and identified when problems were occurring between staff and customers before they grew into larger issues.
Great Employees Don’t Need Constant Managing
The most able do not cause additional emotional work for leadership. They communicate effectively, are self-directed in responsibilities, and contribute to maintaining a stable environment at work without the need for constant supervision.
Small Actions Can Reduce Huge Pressure
Eliminating stress does not always involve solving big issues. Sometimes, it’s about communicating early, staying organized, avoiding errors, or even just making co-workers’ jobs easier throughout the day.
The Most Valuable Skill Is Often Invisible
Reducing stress is not something that often comes up in your performance reviews, but it can make you vital or not. Those who make work easier, calmer, and more manageable consistently are the people leaders would never like to lose.
