Skills to an Employer. Of These Three,

¶ … skills to an employer. Of these three, though, recognizing assumptions may be the most critical for many organizations. As Christie (2013) points out, recognizing underlying assumptions is crucial for solving legal conundrums. All organizations depend on open-minded thinkers who can account for a diverse range of ideas and opinions. It is important to recognize biases and prejudices, which can prevent innovation and problem-solving capabilities. Recognizing assumptions can also help create harmony in the work environment, promote effective communication, and therefore increase workplace satisfaction. The goal of recognizing assumptions is to create a corporate culture that is conducive to meeting the goals of the organization.

Five traits that are important to employers include intelligence, leadership ability, willingness to work with others, willingness to take risks, and ability to accept criticism. Intelligence seems obviously important, but even empirical data shows that 76% of the productivity of an employee is linked directly to his or her intelligence ("Top Seven Qualities Employers are Looking for in Candidates," n.d.). An employee who is not intelligent is unlikely to get far in the company, and is unlikely to learn new skills in a manner that is efficient and in accordance with organizational goals. Stupid employees also reflect poorly on the company, and are poor investments from a human resources perspective. Leadership ability is important, especially when the manager is not feeling threatened by new recruits who are ambitious and eager to usurp them. The employee who is willing to take risks is one who the company can count on to make game-day decisions and accept responsibility when things do not go as planned. Business is all about taking risks, and employers do not want people who are afraid to take chances and make changes. It is also important hat the employee be able to accept criticism. Employees who are too sensitive or who have egos larger than the manager will likely fail.