Sometimes when I talk to people in leadership roles about the teams for which they are responsible, the subject of what characteristics would define an ideal employee raises its head. While everyone can describe the characteristics or principles that embody the ideal employee, not everyone can say that their team is aware of those characteristics or principles. They usually try to help their employees by pointing out their weaknesses during their performance reviews. However, the characteristics that they want continued are not emphasized in a manner where everyone knows how employees should behave.

Communication of the department’s or company’s principles is one key to forming an effective team. One of those fundamental principles that I believe should be taught is the ABCs. If each person takes responsibility for improving their ABCs, the team they represent will become an asset to whom they represent. What are the ABCs people ask? Reading, Writing, Arithmetic? Basics of leadership? While these are good guesses, the ABCs I am referring to are an acronym which stands for Accountability, Business Acumen, Communication, and Service.

Each person should be accountable for their actions whether they made good or bad choices.

Many people these days blame others for their own mistakes or problems. In order for people to be accountable, they have to feel valued. Once you provide that sense of value, expectations of behavior will drive accountability. When they take responsibility, they gain self-respect.

Each person should take the time to understand their business of what they do, the critical areas, critical seasons, etc…

The increased knowledge of business acumen creates situations where the employee’s specialized knowledge and perspective can become a strategic part of the business’s long term success. Business acumen goes beyond basic financial information. It incorporates an understanding of how corporate strategy impacts those key numbers.

Each person should understand the importance of effective communication within their company environment. Some characteristics of effective communication reflect:  

Focus the discussion on the information needed. Keep on track.

Use open ended questions to expand the discussion and close ended to prompt for specifics.

Encourage dialogue through face to face contact when possible.

Always state your understanding of what you are hearing.

Summarize the key points upon conclusion.

Each person should understand that their service to all types of customers (internal and external) is paramount to their team’s success.

Value is created by providing a benefit, solving a problem, meeting a need or helping a customer. A customer wants to receive that value in terms of quality, service, courtesy, customer listening and ability to resolve their issue. People that provide this type of customer experience will usually be rewarded by customer loyalty.

While it is easier said than done to implement new behaviors or strategies, take the time to see what principles your department or company emphasizes. If you can get your employees to all start from the same vantage point, you will be that much more ahead when trying to build those behaviors of the ideal employee.

More about the author: Sanjay Parikh has a successful track record for leading and developing groups of people while integrating and positioning his department as an asset for the company. Sanjay participates in various networking groups that help spread his philosophy of business. He is also currently working with multiple school districts in Texas to develop new curriculums to help foster math and science learning for elementary students.