Three Traits of The Most Valuable Team Members

When Something Isn’t Clicking—Start Here

Every leader has been there.

You’re coaching an employee, giving feedback, offering support—but something isn’t clicking.

You start wondering: 📌 Where is the real gap? 📌 Why aren’t they making progress? 📌 Am I missing something?

When leaders ask me how to identify the issue, I encourage them to start with these three questions:

1. Are they curious?

2. Are they coachable?

3. Are they courageous?

Because in my experience, the most valuable team members—the ones who grow, thrive, and contribute at the highest level—aren’t just skilled. They have the right mindset.

Let’s break it down.

Curious Employees Are Problem Solvers

Curiosity isn’t just about asking great questions—it’s about seeking deeper understanding and finding solutions others might overlook.

📌 They consider multiple perspectives before jumping to conclusions.

📌 They explore different possible solutions instead of just reacting to problems.

📌 They ask great questions that challenge assumptions and uncover new insights.

Why it matters: Curious employees don’t just identify problems—they actively work to solve them.

How to cultivate curiosity in your team: ✔ Model curiosity—Instead of giving answers, ask: "What do you think?"

✔ Encourage "What if?" thinking—Give space for unconventional solutions.

✔ Recognize great questions, not just great answers—Curiosity fuels innovation.

Coachable Employees Take Ownership (Not Excuses)

Coachability isn’t just about being open to feedback—it’s about taking ownership without excuses or over-explaining.

📌 They don’t get defensive when receiving feedback.

📌 They don’t overexplain or justify their decisions—they listen, learn, and apply.

📌 They follow through on changes, proving they’re adaptable and growth-minded.

Why it matters: Coachable employees build trust quickly because leaders and peers know they’ll take feedback seriously and act on it.

How to foster coachability in your team:

✔ Give feedback regularly, not just in formal reviews.

✔ Recognize adaptability—Praise when someone takes action on feedback.

✔ Create a low-ego culture—Frame mistakes as learning moments, not failures.

Courageous Employees Effect Change

Courage isn’t just about taking risks—it’s about being willing to sit with discomfort, challenge the status quo, and persist through uncertainty.

📌 They don’t avoid hard conversations.

📌 They don’t back down from new challenges—even if they’re unsure of success.

📌 They tolerate discomfort during problem-solving instead of retreating to the familiar.

Why it matters: Courageous employees develop resilience—the ability to navigate setbacks, keep learning, and push forward when others hesitate.

How to build courage in your team:

✔ Create psychological safety—Make it safe to ask questions and challenge ideas.

✔ Encourage experimentation—Small, calculated risks build confidence.

✔ Celebrate effort, not just success—Normalize learning from failure.

Why These Three Traits Matter More Than Skill

When employees lack curiosity, coachability, or courage, growth stalls.

Without curiosity, they don’t explore beyond their immediate role.

Without coachability, they resist feedback and stay stagnant.

Without courage, they hesitate, hold back, and avoid risk.

And when teams lack these traits, innovation slows, engagement dips, and leadership potential goes untapped.

That’s why the most valuable employees—the ones who grow, lead, and create impact—aren’t just skilled. They bring the right mindset.

Your Leadership Gift: Three Questions to Tap Into These Traits

Here’s one simple question for each trait that you can ask your employees—at work or in life—to bring out curiosity, coachability, and courage.

💬 Curiosity: "What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?"

🪴 Coachability: "What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever received?"

🦁 Courage: "When was the last time you did something before you felt ready?"

Great teams start with great conversations. Try these questions and see where they take you.