Four On The Floor: The basic traits of human quality

I had the pleasure of getting into a conversation with a local business man right down the street from me. We happened to just be shooting the breeze about his lack of time to go anywhere else, but at his place of business. He was hoping that would change soon, because  he was going to be hiring someone to come in and work some hours, and would have to train them before he felt comfortable just leaving for a night out with his wife. We started to talk about the aspects and traits of quality people. We managed to create a list of just four strong characteristics that he or anyone would be looking for to train or deal with. He stated that if a person had just those four valuable traits, then that was good enough for him to work with. Not 20 traits, not even 10 traits. Just 4 simple things that make a person worthy of not only effort, but make them a worthy individual period. as I walked home, I thought back on our conversation, and about those 4 traits that he was looking for, and I realized that those traits are not just traits that one envisions someone having for a business, or job prospect, but those traits are universal in what we should strive to be, and expect from the people we associate with. Too many times we as people accept behavior from other people that is substandard to just acceptable behavior. No one has to be a saint, or perfect, but have a raised bar for what you will accept out of people you deal with. In my conversation with the gentleman, the consensus between both of us was that if you apply these traits to yourself, and expect them from others, then your tolerance for nonsense will be lowered, and your situations around you just might be better, because you are dealing with a better range of behavioral nuances. Now these traits are not the end all be all of good human quality, but if one has these traits then it makes it easier for everything else to fall into place.

1) Reliability:
As it applies to work, reliability means just showing up on time every day. But surprisingly some folks have a hard time with that one thing. If one can't show up every day on time, then all else can't possibly matter, because that is a basic requirement for having a job. I have overheard people who are habitually late say things like, "But I've been here on time for a week straight". The usual response to that, I am happy to say is, "So what..That's what you're supposed to do..Do you want a medal?"
As reliability applies to regular life, all anyone asks is that someone does what they say they are going to do. And if they can't for some reason, then say that also. Being reliable means being consistent in what you say in conjunction with what you do. If you follow through with doing what you say, then there is no issue with questionable behavior. We are all sometimes walking contradictions with ourselves, but there are people who are just unreliable, and completely the opposite of what their actions indicate. If one changes their mind, then one has the right to do that, but then be honest enough to say that also. If you say that you will be somewhere that someone expects, then either be there, or call, and say that you can't for whatever reason. Don't leave people to twist n the wind. Be a person that someone can count on. It's not as big a burden as one thinks, and the reward is the respect bestowed upon you for your reliability.

2) Trustworthy:
Obviously a thief is not trustworthy, but neither is someone who does things for the sheer reason of what they can get out of it. They will milk something for all it's worth, and then abandon it for another situation that crops up, where they feel they can benefit. Of course the reality is that most people don't do things just all of the time, and 100%  out of the goodness of their heart, but there is a difference between people who do give part of themselves to a situation, or people, and an outright taker, who latches onto things for the reason of taking advantage. The only thing trustworthy means is that a person is aware that whatever situation or job that they are in, is interconnected with something else important, and if they do not participate in the connection with care, and responsibility, then the consequences could be awful. That simple philosophy applies in life, and work. When one is trustworthy, people will give you responsibilities, and know that you actually care about them. Plain and simple.

3) Inquisitive:
It's all right to not know something. It's not all right to not ask. No one is the holder of all knowledge, and everyone will make mistakes. That is how one learns and grows. But too many people don't ask something that they don't know the answers to. Especially on a job, where your performance depends upon knowledge of something, but it is perfectly fine to say, "Can you please explain this. I don't know...." Gaining knowledge requires asking questions, especially to those that know more than you about something. There are some things you can't learn in books, and those things usually are in other peoples' heads. So being inquisitive is a very strong trait although some people see it as weak. In my opinion there really aren't that many stupid questions. But there are millions of questions stupidly unasked. So be inquisitive, and learn. Most people appreciate someone who wants to know, because a thorough knowledge particularly in jobs means more efficiency. But again...That applies to life also.

4) Personable: 
In layman's terms...Be nice. I am constantly amazed at just how many people have an incredible inability to just be nice to people. Some people unfortunately are just plain miserable bastards, who seem to have one goal..To make everyone else around them miserable. Whether you are having a bad day or not, there is no excuse to be nasty to someone. Life is hard enough to negotiate through for all, but someone encountering niceness just makes the burden a tad easier. Being personable just makes dealing with people easier on both ends because when people don't feel threatened, they will reciprocate with kindness also. It's just a win/win. But those who make misery, and confrontation their agenda, wind up as people that no one wants to deal with. The ironic thing is that the person who exhibits these traits will say that they dislike people greatly, because they feel that people "Suck" or "People are miserable". so they take their anger and issues out on people. How wrong is that? Just be nice. It doesn't cost anything, and actually makes life easier, because you will see that people are in the same boat as you in some respects.

Now as I've said, these are not the end all be all of traits, but they are certainly a great foundation for a quality human being. I stop in this business often, and this gentleman always says something that sparks good conversation. I think that we as human beings have so much to offer one another in ideas, reforming thought processes, and just growth in general. Good quality human beings are sometimes unfortunately hard to find, but they are out there. Just make sure they have four on the floor. With those four traits....Like the Beatles said, "We can work it out." Sounds very simple, and it is not rocket science. but believe me, finding those with four on the floor can be as disheartening as trying to learn rocket science. But keep trying..They are out there, and worth it.