Attitude is hard to change.
The most difficult thing to change about an employee is their attitude towards the job. If someone lacks skills, they can be taught. If they have a disability, sometimes accommodations can be made. But if their attitude is wrong, they are not likely to make it. Here are 15 examples of poor attitude.
1. Does not take you seriously.
2. Does not follow through when you assign a task.
3. Is more interested in what you can do for him/her than what they can do for you.
4. Has trouble remembering instructions
5. Gets angry about the job, or considers your needs unreasonable.
6. Does not understand the importance of customer service.
7. Thinks problem solving is somebody elses job.
8. Does not know how to negotiate so everybody wins.
9. Does not make an attempt to understand the needs of the business
10. Does not care about how his/her job contributes to the success of the business.
11. Does not think reputation is important
12. Expects you to solve his/her personal problems
13. Does not look for what needs to be done, waits for specific instruction.
14. Is routinely late to work, does not take deadlines seriously.
15. Does not ask for help.
If you have had employees with habits like these, I’m sure you will agree that they are nearly impossible to change. I say nearly, because anyone can change if they want to badly enough. However, the best solution is to avoid hiring people like this in the first place. The best way to avoid these problems is to assign and evaluate tasks as part of the interview process. For instance, in your initial telephone interview, ask applicants to send you a resume and cover letter. Evaluate their performance. Did they listen to your request carefully; did they follow your instructions completely; did they get the materials to you on time; did they take your request seriously; did they do a careful and complete job; did they give you more than you expected? Their performance in completing tasks you assign during the interview process will be the best indicator of how they will perform on the job. Be creative in the tasks you assign. Ask applicants to visit your web site and prepare a list of changes they would like to see to make the web site better. When you interview in person , ask applicants to halter a horse, drive a tractor, or hook up a horse trailer. Don’t worry if they don’t have the skill. Skills can be taught. You are evaluating attitude. Sometimes a simple admission by an applicant that they don’t know how to do your task can be the best attitude. Be careful to assign the same tasks to all applicants, so you will be able to compare applicants easily, and so you will not appear to be discriminating illegally.
