Are You One Of These Five Employees?

AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, ONE OF THE MAIN HURDLES TO YOUR SUCCESS IS HIRING THE RIGHT TEAM THAT SHARES YOUR VISION AND ULTIMATELY HELPS YOU REACH IT.

I consider myself a veteran now after 10 years of working with teams, and I have noticed that the traditional interview methods that are employed by most organizations are mildly effective. The main focus of these interviews is to audit the person’s capabilities through an interview or a company-prepared exam (which is sometimes compiled from Google Search) and see if he/she is a good fit to the company.

This form of audit provides the least assurance, as it doesn’t unveil the hidden personality traits of the candidate. While a candidate can have a great resume, such traditional methods of interviewing don’t reveal if a candidate has attitude problems, poor work ethics, or is a trouble-maker.

I have identified five personality types that almost always fly under the interview radar. They are hard-to-detect, sly, and toxic. As an entrepreneur, you need to identify those people who exhibit these traits immediately and deal with them as soon as you can.

THE GOSSIPER

This is the type of person who you simply can’t avoid. Gossip is inherently built and coded within the human mind. Yet, some people take it to an extreme level. Speaking ill of someone is not a nice habit. It spreads negative vibes, creates unnecessary and unproductive corridor talks, undermines morale, and costs the company money (since the person is talking rather than working).

While it is very hard not to get sucked into gossiping (due its entertaining nature), you need to resist it if you feel it hurts the company. Remember if you meet a gossiper, know that you will be the next target one day.

Accordingly, as an entrepreneur, you need to diffuse gossiping through 1) confronting the gossiper and explaining that it’s disrupting to the company. 2) If that doesn’t work, you might need to use more harsh measures such as warnings, pay deductions, or simply letting them go. I like the second as it sends a message to other gossipers.

THE KNOW-IT-ALL

If you have been around a workplace, then I am pretty sure you have come across Mr. or Mrs. Know-it-all coworker or boss. They are pompous, loud, self-centered, unwilling to listen to others, and love to tell what and how to do a task.

While annoying, the Know-It-All can be dealt with. When confronted with detailed questions, this type of personality might become defensive as you are trying  to peel off their outer layers.  Keep probing and asking pointed questions on specific details of whatever topic they are trying to interfere in, and soon you will have him or her off of your back.

Find out the remaining types HERE.