Each person is unique and naturally has their qualities and their shortcomings. Just as opinions are very relative: the characteristics of a person that many see as extremely positive can at the same time be understood negatively by others.
However, from a professional point of view, it is possible to speak of admirable characteristics unanimously, and which certainly make a difference especially at the time of hiring (and, consequently, in the daily work).
Below, Arnaldo Auad, founder of Direction and Direction Coaching and Training, and the BD Tecnologia Group; NLP Practitioner Certified by HP Consulting U.S.A .; Certified Professional Coach licensed by the BCI (Behavioral Coaching Institute); It cites the key qualities that a professional should strive to have.
1. Self Confidence
For Auad, undoubtedly, a confident and secure person stands out in professional life for a number of reasons. "One of the things I consider most important is that a confident and secure person tends to take more risks than others, she dares more and puts herself ahead of the scenes most of the time," he says.
“I don't think there is a 100% safe person in all things all the time. Everyone carries a little insecurity in some aspect of their lives. I believe the biggest challenge is finding the balance. Too much security can lead to arrogance, and too much insecurity can lead to letting your future be decided by others. Are extremes never healthy? The coach recalls.
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At the time of a job interview, for example, it is normal to feel some insecurity. But above all, you have to trust what you are doing, and one way to demonstrate this is to look into the eyes of the person conducting the interview.
Always remember: If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will!
2. Willingness to learn
It is important that the professional is willing to listen and learn new things at all times. You never think that you already know enough about a particular subject, that you are a professional? and is at an advantage over other co-workers.
Listening and learning are key factors. We live in a constantly changing world. What was new yesterday is obsolete today, and tomorrow will be replaced. Seeking to learn and develop is what will keep each of us alive, both in work and in private life, says Auad.
“I even suggest that whenever possible the trader looks for what is becoming news or trend and learns as much as he can about it, and realizes that when this news comes true, you will be prepared. Preparation and opportunity, some call it luck ?, adds the expert.
Also read: 6 Things You Should Consider Before Starting Your Own Business
3. Flexibility
Being a professionally adaptable person is undoubtedly important, according to Auad. It is even one of the most important skills today. The business context is changing all the time. New demands, new ways of doing business, new skills are required every day and for everyone. Change is something democratic. If a professional does not adapt, he may not serve the new business context ?, he says.
The most flexible element of a group is the most influential. There is a maxim that says: “It is not the strongest that survives, nor the smartest, but the one that best fits the changes,” says the coach.
4. Self Motivation
Some people, to feel more confident about what they do, expect daily positive feedback, a compliment, either from their own boss or from someone else on the team. However, this can be "risky".
Auad explains that he considers the concept of self-motivation important. “Staying motivated, action-driven is what I think is the most important, and this is an individual challenge from the inside out,” he says.
In other words, do you need to feel good about your work, feel that you are doing your best without someone exactly telling you that? Compliments, of course, are always welcome, but you shouldn't expect them all the time.
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We live in times where people are not necessarily more productive but incredibly busy. Some people do not have the time or priority to smile, interact, truly praise. And waiting for someone to motivate us is dangerous ?, says the expert.
5. Good communication
Having effective communication refers to the need to express yourself, both when speaking and writing. It is also related to the ability to listen and, consequently, to speak "at the right time", respecting the "space"? from the other.
? Communication moves people. Is communicating correctly one of the keys to success ?, remembers Auad.
One point to consider is that the quality of communication is related to how the message is received and understood and this responsibility of the communicator. Making yourself understood is a challenge. Keep in mind that words are the simplistic expression of a possibly profound experience. Each word carries more than its meaning, it carries an experience. Recognizing this and practicing with reading, for example, is a great way ?, adds the coach.
6. Know how to work in teams
One of the most common demands today is precisely knowing how to work in teams, as highlighted by Auad. ? Companies have discovered for some time that the sum of the parts may be greater than the whole. Having teams with multidisciplinary attitudes and skills is one of the tools to put the company ahead of the competition. In this context, knowing how to deal with the various skills of people around you and recognizing that not all knowledge resides in you and that everyone has something to learn and add is very valuable today?
7. Honesty / Responsibility
It seems obvious that every professional should be honest and responsible: for example, who does not lie that he or she is sick to miss the job; that you use your office hours to actually work; to fulfill daily what he has committed himself to do; do not abuse flexible hours, if applicable; do not touch things that are not yours; who has no desire to undermine a colleague's service, etc. But it is always good to stress the importance of these qualities which, in fact, are essential in both personal and professional life.
However, as Auad points out, assessing whether a job seeker is really reliable / honest is one of the most complex and subjective activities HR has to perform. “I believe that there is no accuracy in this assessment, it is now possible to find evidence that a candidate is trustworthy. Group dynamics are instruments that can facilitate the process. Are there dynamics that can put candidates in situations where reliability can be proven ?, comments the expert.
8. Professionalism
Professionalism can be summarized here as the? Characteristic procedure of good professionals (seriousness, competence, responsibility, etc.)? Thus bringing together several qualities (including some already mentioned).
However, it is always good to highlight the importance of having professionalism. Not solely in the sense of "being competent in the service you do," but in taking seriously what you do while you are working; to strive to do the best; to dress properly (according to the needs of your job); to respect others; to recognize that everything has its time (for example, service time is not the time to be on the phone solving personal problems); not taking confidential information outside the company, etc.
Auad points out that, in general terms, professionalism is related to the ability of a person to perform their work productively and in accordance with the necessary and anticipated. It is possible to see if a person is a good professional when he or she faces a possibly ethical conflict. How she behaves in a situation where what is professionally needed conflicts with what she would like to do if she were not in that position. A professional acts as professional needs demand at that time. If what prevails is the professional need, you may be facing a good professional ?, comments.
9. Be friendly
Not everyone is aware of this, but it is very important to be friendly to other people at work.
Being a friendly, reliable, flexible person puts the professional at the forefront (?)
Interpersonal relationships are the grease that drives the complex gears of society and the corporate world. Being a friendly, reliable, flexible person puts the professional at the forefront. The better and deeper the relationships, the simpler a person's life will be. We have to remember that before interacting with business, machines and processes, we deal with people ?, highlights Auad.
Here also comes the question of good humor: of course no one can smile 24 hours a day, but it is important to strive to be a nice person, not? your problems and frustrations with coworkers; who always remembers using words like "please", "thank you", "good morning", "good afternoon"; who is willing to help others when requested etc.
10. Leadership
• The ability to lead is something that multiplies a person's potential and productivity.If you evaluate carefully, you will find that there is a limit to your ability to absorb and practice knowledge. If a person can be an expert on a subject, that does not mean that he will be a leader in that knowledge. Exercising leadership requires more than academic and formal knowledge, it requires knowing people, their needs and wants ?, highlights Auad.
• Extracting the best from each professional creates a scenario where potentials are realized and common teams become extraordinary. Developing leadership is a daily and extremely rewarding challenge ?, adds the coach.
One way to try to develop your leadership potential, in addition to taking advantage of your daily experiences and the (good) relationship you have with your coworkers, is to bet on some courses (in person or online) and lectures that address the issue. Here's the tip!
Finally, it is worth remembering: Professional success is also very much about working with what you like. This will be the starting point for you to develop or improve various skills that will make you a competent and admirable professional.
Great leadership starts with self-leadership | Lars Sudmann | TEDxUCLouvain (May 2024)
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