Finding High Performing Staff

For a number of years I have been wanting to look into the subject of the “High Performer” in companies.  What I’m interested in is what makes these people tick.  I’ve had many employees over the years, but only a handful rank among the elite when it comes to some of the following characteristics:

• Ability to produce well above the standard number of hours of work comparative to other employees

• Willingness to go the extra mile when it comes to taking care of clients and fellow staff members

• Excellence in raising the bar of the company culture and compatibility with others

• Generous spirit which translates to a positive attitude and optimism

• Inspiring to others and a natural leader

• Openness to feedback and ability to take the feedback and keep becoming more skilled at position

• Natural curiosity about systems and how to improve them

• Creativity around the job and finding new ways to become more efficient

This sounds a little like something I’d use ChatGPT to create when it comes to a job description, but which most candidates would just cast off as trite patter.  But, I truly do find people who have many of these attributes.  More often than not, however, I come into contact with folks who have some of these abilities, but may lack in other areas.  And, in  truth perhaps this can be considered pie in the sky hopefulness.  When I do meet someone with all of these characteristics we have a name for them: Unicorns.

Shops like mine are always on the search for people who are Unicorns, but we’re also in the business of making all of our staff into them.  I have some extraordinarily high-functioning people in my organization who might be technically savvy, but just need a little push in managing others.   I also have some employees who are keenly aware of tone and body language, and who take great care of our customers, but are less savvy about building an estimate or locating a hard to find part.  I love the process of mixing one with the other for the perfect chemistry when it comes to caring for our clients.

Still, I’ll continue the search for the keys to the kingdom,  to make sure our customers have the best of both worlds: technicality and human awareness in our staff.  By emphasizing all of the characteristics above we can continue evolving our shop into a customer-based business that truly meets the needs of our patrons.  We will always be open to the feedback we need to hear to make sure we are on the right path and doing what’s best for our amazing clients.