The Most Important Quality in an Employee (boss vs mentor)

I was speaking to one of my business clients the other day (CEO of a company of about 70 people) in regard to what qualities to hire for in an employee and we came up with “the hunger to learn and grow”.In Inquiry Leadership we see ourselves not so much as a boss but a mentor, someone who wants to share her or his skills and knowledge. Personally, as a mentor and teacher there is nothing I value more than someone who is hungry to learn and grow, it gets me excited.As a boss you want someone to follow instructions, do what they are told.As a mentor you want someone who is bugging you to learn more, who comes to you with questions, who is always trying to perfect and refine their ability and results.An employee who is hungry will help you grow as a leader.As a boss you are using top down energy, you have to keep asserting and directing.As a mentor you are being pushed along by the eagerness of your employees, you are sharing your skills and they are valued and received, put into action.If you are getting ready to hire in your organization find someone who is hungry and eager to learn. Test for it, ask questions to discover it, select for it, there is no more valuable asset you can have in your business. Someday they will have the potential to replace you so you can take yourself to the next level; they may allow you to retire or buy you out.If you are not hiring right now you should be. Always be looking for more able, eager, hungry people, they are the gold that will make for a great and thriving business.