There was a very interesting article featured on LinkedIn a few weeks ago by Abdul El-Sayed, Executive Director & Health Officer at the Detroit Health Department. In this article Abdul listed what he deemed to be the “11 Characteristics of Effective Colleagues.”
Two words often used interchangeably are “effective” and “efficient,” but in order to truly appreciate this article you must realize the importance of being effective over being efficient. Many times true success is lost on a quest for efficiency. While trying to optimize, it is easy to lose focus on the desired outcomes.
Effective employees not only achieve success on a personal level but also align their organization and professional colleagues for greater success. Keep this advice in mind when reading the 11 characteristics compiled by El-Sayed below:
11 Characteristics of Effective Colleagues
- Follow-up – they’ll email you back. Always.
- They deliver 110% of what’s expected in a particular situation.
- They pay attention to the details. But they aren’t consumed by them.
- They plan and communicate the plan to their team.
- They listen. And they change course based on what they learn.
- They own their mistakes. And then they try hard not to make them again.
- They admire the beauty in the work and appreciate it.
- They celebrate wins with others.
- They notice, thank, and promote the work of people around them – regardless where they stand in the hierarchy.
- They know what they could improve on, and have a plan for doing it.
- They value the work more than they value their role in the work. They will do whatever it takes to advance the work. Nothing is ‘below’ them.
How effective are you and in what area(s) do you need to improve? This list mentions the practical everyday things you can do and overall personality traits you should possess to be more effective—and appreciated—personally and professionally. The most important thing you should remember is that a truly effective person desires success not only for themselves, but also for others.
