The unicorn and going the extra mile

'Unicorn' employees do not only excel at what they do, but they also break out of their job descriptions to help a business thrive. Is this modern, mythical creature something to be aspired to or a dangerous perfectionist?

Unicorns are trending. They're everywhere from dating memes to Instagram beauty tutorials, so it's been only a matter of time before the terminology infiltrated the workplace. The term 'unicorn employees', describe members of staff who outshine the members of their team. Ann Werner, a psychologist, explains this phenomenon. "Like their mythical name suggests, they're the most difficult employees to find, if finding at all" She further implies that unicorn employees have the following traits :

They go the extra mile, are strategic about their own role and how it relates to the big picture and are able to focus on detail and accurate implementation. When the going gets tough, they stick it out and work through it. Unicorn employees are also considerate, passionate about their work, loyal to their teams and management, respectful of all levels of hierarchy and they achieve their goals. You may have seen one in action or maybe you are one. Every employer wants to hire one.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed in your workplace, here are some tips: Don't shy away from pitching in on a major marketing campaign, by helping brainstorm catchy tweets. Protect your wellbeing. Don't feel pressured. This can lead to burnout. Do mental aerobics!! Be willing to stretch beyond the parameters of a reasonable job description. Do not be afraid of failure, enjoy your job. Avoid being made a jack of all trades. Upskilling is a necessary feature of the modern workplace, but be wary of being assigned tasks that aren't relevant to your career growth.

Every employer hopes to bag themselves a unicorn, but a better idea is to focus on nurturing current staff. A great manager could develop a whole team of top performers if they take the time to recognize what makes individuals thrive. Developing confidence through appropriate mentorship can go a long way to nurturing not the mythical unicorn, but rather a dedicated, diligent and realistic individuals. These employees are extremely valuable and should be be looked after if the company is going to be successful.

Sources : Ryan Holmes, founder of hootsuite, Jane Taylor Cooke, Ann Werner, organizational psychologist. Pixabay.