The Importance Of Pleasing Personality At Work

“Must have a pleasing personality ” has been a timeless butt of jokes when it comes to job application requirements.

We always see this in want ads, after all the technical requirements are mentioned, or alone by itself written on a paper posted in front of dubious establishments in streets flooded with blinking lights. In the latter case, the meaning is radically different from the requirements of most businesses.

But in all seriousness, personality is one of the biggest factors taken into consideration by human resource managers, not only in hiring applicants, but also in making decisions involving employees. An employee with excellent communication skills might be assigned with field works that involve transacting with other companies and clients. A meticulous employee might be promoted as a supervisor. But a quiet and blank employee might be stuck in the same job for how many years without the chance of seeing any light in a higher position. Beyond skills, they assign people who have the right personality for the right job because they understand that it will take more than skills to create a well-performing team.

Let me discuss a few points on how the term “pleasing personality” is usually defined by the management of reputable companies:

Good business etiquette. Having good business etiquette means knowing and practicing the right manners at the right time and occasion. Take note this is in the professional context. What is proper in informal settings may be offensive in a business gathering. A person with good business etiquette gives a very fine impression.

Communicates properly. An employee with pleasing personality is one who can deliver his/her thoughts clearly while observing respect and boundaries. Most of the managers I have met told me that they want their relationship with their employees on a level that lets them talk with each other about a few personal matters, how they feel about the project, and other matters, but still not reaching that too personal level. An employee with pleasing personality has the courage to speak comfortably with the boss, but also observes limits.

Contributes solutions. A manager has enough problems to have another employees judging their actions or adding to their problems. An employee with pleasing personality is one who contributes solutions for the company. Rather than complaining about what is unfair, he or she tries to understand first the reason behind the decision, and looks for a way to mediate both sides of the company. He/she is also someone who knows how to choose the appropriate time before talking with the bosses about their problems.

Well-groomed. Personality is not just about what you do, it’s also how you look like. An employee with pleasing personality is someone who dresses properly, with teeth brushed, clothes ironed, and body odor eradicated. What does being well-groomed have to do with having a pleasing personality? This is because it reflects how responsible and clean the person is. Being well-groomed means that the person always wants to be presentable when around anyone he/she meets. Aside from being bathed every day, he/she knows the proper attire to complement his/her body type and color. Here’s a quick tip: horizontal stripes to make you wider, vertical to make you thinner. Light and vibrant make you look cheerful and dark colors make you more formal. Try what best fits your personality!

Cheerful. Finally, an employee with pleasing personality is one who keeps the fun alive in the office—smiling in the face of stress and keeps going at it, doing better every single day at work. He or she is someone who does not take problems from home to the office, and does not take office problems personally. Welcoming new employees warmly and accommodating co-workers properly are part of his or her attributes. Individuals with pleasing personality are those who will always remain in the office even if the company has to lay off a few workers. They easily become the office favorites because of this trait, and that is because it goes a long way. Who wants to deal with a grumpy receptionist or a sad sales-man? No one does. That’s why a smile will always do big for a company.

Looks may be a plus factor but it is not the main component of what pleasing personality means for most companies in the business world. In essence, it is what makes a person likable not only by customers but also by the people within the company. A pleasing personality is like the grease that eases the friction of everyday work life and that is why it is often a standard requirement.

*Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. C-6, Sunday, August 9, 2015. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.