Apr 19, 2021 09:22 AM EDT By Ernest Hamilton, UniversityHerald Reporter

There are multiple ways to gather information about your employees, and many different kinds of data points you should know. For example, talent management is made a little easier with digital programs, while it's normal for companies to run background checks and study prospective employees' educational backgrounds, as well as their previous experience, before deciding who to hire.

These are important points to consider, but you're leaving a lot on the table if you stop there. By knowing more in-depth things about your employees, you can harness their natural talents in your business and ensure the tasks they tackle match their strengths.

Their Stance on Work-Life Balance

A lot of assumptions are made between employers and employees when it comes to work-life balance. Many employees operate under the assumption that management wishes they would put in more hours, while management may or may not have these assumptions. Either way, it puts stress on the employees that is often unnecessary.

It's much better to get to know your employees' stance on work-life balance. Are they adamant that their work day ends as soon as they clock out? Do they pride themselves on being a workaholic?

After you know the answers to these kinds of questions, you can modify how you interact with your employees. For example, you may wait to speak to an employee who values family time until they arrive at work the next morning, while you may send a quick email to an employee who likes to catch up on messages before bed.

Introverted or Extroverted

Do you know what it means to be introverted or extroverted? It may not be what you think.

Being extroverted means a lot more than being outgoing, and being introverted doesn't necessarily mean being shy. Instead, introverted people gain energy by being alone, while extroverted people get energy when surrounded by others.

When you know this about your employees, you can plan better. For example, an introverted team member may enjoy working on a PowerPoint presentation alone, but would appreciate it if a more extroverted member of the team helped them lead the meeting.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is something that can technically be taught, but it's much easier to find those employees who have the natural ability to focus on the details. Do you know which employees on your team are able to pick up on mistakes in a lengthy contract or cover all of the points of your service in detail when talking to a customer?

Keep in mind that there are many ways employees can be detail oriented! A few skills where employees can shine include:

• Organizational skills

• Time management skills

• Analytical skills

• Observational skills

• Active listening skills

Not sure who is detail oriented? Pay closer attention to your interactions for a few days. Are emails always grammatically correct? Is there an employee that never has work returned to him because it's already stellar? Those people are the ones who are likely to be the most detail oriented on your team.

Personal Interests

Personal interests are one of those things you might talk about with your employees and coworkers over a glass of wine after work, but they are more than just a point of interest. When you know the kinds of things your employees like to do in their spare time, you can give them tasks that they might actually enjoy doing.

For example, an employee who likes to paint might have an eye for helping you choose a new logo, while an employee who likes to play video games may be a great strategic planner, making them the perfect choice when planning events for a conference.

Management Style Preferences

There are many different leadership styles. You probably lean towards one or two, but do you know what kind of leader your employees need? Don't be afraid to ask!

Chances are, you'll find that employees aren't a fan of an autocratic style where you tell them what to do without their input. Instead, you may discover that one employee prefers a pacesetting style where you're right there with them, while another may like a laissez-faire boss who just leaves them alone to complete their tasks.

Knowing this can help you match employees up with the right manager, and it can help you tweak how you manage each member of your team.

Knowing someone's education and experience isn't enough! Get to know them a little bit better in other areas and you can harness their natural talents in the workplace.

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