We’ve all heard the expression, ‘to work like a dog,’ but what does it really mean? And, is working like a dog always a good thing?
When someone has a high degree of diligence, they will work tirelessly to complete any job set in front of them, and they will do it right. No cutting corners, no skimping on quality – the task will be completed perfectly, on time, and they will go the extra mile. They ‘work like a dog’ to do the best job possible each and every time.
So, naturally, you want an entire staff of highly diligent people to work for you, right? After all, they will do a great job every time! Not so fast. While we will detail the positives of this personality type, let’s first start with the cons.
The cons of a highly diligent employee
While you certainly want someone who is willing to go the extra mile and work to the best of their ability, a high level of diligence is not always a good thing. Here are some of the cons you might notice with this kind of individual:
- They become obsessive about details- This obsession can have its positives, of course, but someone who is too pedantic about details can actually throw a spanner into the works. You might find that they hinder your progress by insisting everything must be ‘perfect’ before you head to the next phase. In fact, sometimes people with very high diligence are referred to as “obsessive compulsive” in nature.
- They don’t always think outside the box – People with high degrees of diligence can often get hung up on exact definitions, and lack a sense of divergent and creative thinking. Problem solving can be a challenge.
- They struggle to make quick decisions – Do you work in a high stress, fast paced industry that requires quick decisions about a wide array of topics? You probably don’t want to have a highly diligent person in a role where they are in charge of these decisions, as they struggle to be decisive.
The pros of a highly diligent employee
From the list above, you might think ‘working like a dog’ is purely a negative trait, but that simply isn’t the case. Here are the pros:
- You can count on them – If you assign them a task, they will do it to the best of their ability and it will be delivered on time. If you work in an industry that is very time-sensitive, this can be a real boon.
- They make excellent ‘right hand men/women’ – While you may not want them leading the troops, they are excellent as a vice president or a ‘go to’ point person. As a support system by your side, a highly diligent employee can be a lifesaver.
- They set a good example for others – If you need to set an example and show your employees the way that certain things should be done, you can partner them with your highly diligent employees so they can learn best practices.