Pandemic study shows agreeable employees more valued at work.

Pandemic study shows agreeable employees more valued at work.

The Power of Agreeableness in the Workplace

Workplace

In the wake of the pandemic, the dynamics of the workplace have undergone a transformation. A recent study conducted by academics from the University of London has shed light on the increasing value placed on employees who exhibit high levels of agreeableness. The study, titled “Kill chaos with kindness,” explored the impact of the Big Five personality traits – neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness – on team performance.

Over a period of ten years, the researchers observed and analyzed the behavior of more than 3,500 individuals working together on various group tasks. Participants responded to 242 questions to assess the extent of each personality trait they possessed. While the first four traits consistently influenced team performance, agreeableness had previously shown a non-significant and erratic relationship.

However, through the use of a sophisticated computer model to predict the outcomes of personality traits, the researchers found that agreeableness may be a vital factor in fostering teamwork and organizational performance in a post-pandemic world. This groundbreaking discovery challenges the notion that agreeableness is mostly irrelevant to task completion, which had been commonly held in previous research.

According to Randall Peterson, professor of organizational behavior at the London School of Business and co-author of the study, the past emphasis on individual accomplishments may have overshadowed the value of agreeable individuals. Peterson explains, “The basic truth is if you have one competitive person and one cooperative person, the competitive person will always win. However, two cooperative people will outperform two competitive people every time.”

These findings have caught the attention of managers, who now recognize the importance of cooperation and agreeableness in the workplace. Peterson notes that “people are endorsing cooperation and agreeableness much more than they did pre-pandemic.” The global health crisis has highlighted the significance of even-tempered, cooperative team members, as opposed to the star-struck individuals who prioritize personal recognition.

In today’s world, characterized by ongoing change and uncertainty, the star system is proving to be inadequate. The pandemic has driven home the value of individuals who can navigate challenges with a cooperative mindset and foster a harmonious working environment. The study’s co-author suggests that “the world we live in is increasingly reminding us that the star system is not going to work for us anymore.”

In conclusion, the University of London study on agreeableness in the workplace offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of teams and organizations. With increasing recognition of the power of cooperation and agreeableness, employers are now appreciating individuals who exhibit these traits. In a world marked by uncertainty, the ability to maintain a cooperative mindset and contribute positively to team dynamics has become a highly valuable skill.