Are you a good employee?

EMPLOYERS may not state the fact so bluntly, but every good employer has a list. They may not have an actual physical list, but every employer knows the names of their good employees. Good employees are not overlooked. Good employees are on the list.

If you work out what constitutes a good employee and take action to emulate those actions you will be on the list.

How do you know if you're on the list?

Every manager knows about the list and may be familiar with the talents and skills of the employees on the list.

Watching out for the careers of the employees on the list is a serious organisational commitment. Retaining these employee super stars is considered critical to the future of the organisation's continued growth and success. Consequently, managers are committed to nurturing their talent.

You'll know if you're on the list. Just look around you. If you're on the list, you receive more training and other opportunities to grow and develop your knowledge and skills.

In the best organisations, the boss communicates your value and you know you're on the list. When the list is secret though, look around you. Is your value communicated in the ways described? Or, are you always wondering why another employee got the big break, the big raise, or the sought-after promotion? If the winner is never you, you're not on the list.

How to get on the list

Your name on the list is good news for your employment and career. But, if you're not on the list now, are you relegated to the lower echelons of your organisation forever? Not necessarily. With concerted effort, you can make it onto the list.

• First, change how you approach your work. This may mean that you fundamentally must change you.Change bad habits, develop skills, and work hard. Most importantly, you may have to change your attitude, your outlook, and your core beliefs and values.
• Convince your organisation that you have made the changes, can sustain the changes, and are committed to the new you.

Good employees checklist for success

Here are the qualities, skills, characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, and values that will get your name on the list of good employees.

• Good employees work hard. They don't work for show like staying late when the boss does or coming in early so that they are seen as hard workers.
• Good employees tell the truth and have reputations of integrity. They exhibit integrity in every business dealing.
• Good employees seek growth and development. Never satisfied to remain still, good employees want to grow their capacity as a human being.
• Good employees are accountable. They take responsibility for themselves and their actions and decisions. They don't finger point and blame others for less than stellar performance or results.
• Good employees value others. They foster team work, exhibit well-developed emotional intelligence to understand other employees and work situations, and listen to reinforce that they value other employees. - about.com