What would you put on your résumé to impress a future employer? Maybe your experience as a leader, or gross sales goals you met? How about your educational background, or a list of prestigious roles you’ve had over the years? All of these might catch the eye of the hiring team. Recently, though, I saw a résumé with an interesting sentence that piqued my curiosity. After studying it for a while, I can say that it made an indelible impression on me. Under the heading “Skills”, the applicant had written, “I am easy to work with.”
In a culture where we are often concerned exclusively about ourselves—looking to our own advantage, well-being, pleasure or profit, without regard for others, this was a refreshingly self-less sentence. It reflects the New Testament command for Christians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). “I am easy to work with” caused me to think about some ways this might be lived-out practically in life and work. How can we be easy to work with?
Be flexible. Recent research found that nearly ¾ of all businesses have faced restructuring in the last five years.[1] Change is often hard to adapt to, but it is everywhere. Flexibility is the ability to bend without breaking. It means you are able to accommodate others without sacrificing important values or responsibilities. Flexible people find ways to make a given situation or scenario work. Instead of complaining about change, they adapt to it. Flexible people step in to help when others are overloaded. They suggest ways to get something done instead of reasons it can’t be done. And they focus on accomplishing objectives versus comfort in their own feelings or emotions.
Be timely. Managing time well is the mark of a professional. Timely people start tasks early and tackle the most difficult items on their list first. They set limits for what they will say yes to and prioritize the day to meet deadlines and stay productive. They set reasonable time limits and focus versus multitask. And timely people are on-time—from traveling to meetings to work demands, they don’t show up late.
Timely people also value the time of others. They stick to a schedule, minimize meetings and delegate tasks that others can do. Realizing their responsibilities also impact others, they strive to maximize their time so that others are not waiting on them or forced to work extra hours because of their delays or missed deadlines. Scientists tell us that we have a tendency to overestimate what can be completed in a given timeframe. This is called “planning fallacy”.[2] Most people over-promise. Timely people are more realistic. They under-promise and over-deliver.
Be generous. Be generous is more than giving money to charity or those in need. Generosity is a mindset that puts others first and tends to share resources versus horde. Generous people give time to others. They readily share knowledge and information. Generous people are also confident, knowing that being willing and able to share benefits the whole organization. They are generous instead of holding back for their own sense of self-importance.
Generous people are also giving of encouragement and empowerment. They want others to take pride in their work and grow in their ambition. Generous people share credit. They think of next steps and suggest ways for everyone to benefit on the way to the goal. They enjoy collaborating with others and will take on the role of mentor in order to pass along experience and insight. They’ll also assume responsibility for failure and look for ways to push the team forward.
Be hospitable. People who are easy to work with are welcoming to guests and strangers. They aim to be friendly, congenial and sociable. They enjoy introducing people and building relational connections. They treat others with grace and kindness and offer help when needed. Hospitable people are warmhearted—they genuinely desire friendship and good relations with all those around them. Romans 12:17-18 instructs, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” The hospitable person looks for the best traits in each person and focuses on positive interaction. They avoid drama in life and work.
The Bible tells faith-centered leaders to live as optimists. This confidence is a spiritual character trait based on our trust in God. Joshua 1:9 promises, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed...”