Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share.

This may seem like an unusual or even inappropriate trait, and I want to be clear from this first sentence that I am not suggesting sensitivity in the emotional or psychological sense. A sensitive associate is not to be confused with a touchy one. I don’t mean someone who is easily set off, offended, or who must be handled with extreme care.

A sensitive employee is one who can discern and respond to subtlety. They “get it” quickly and clearly.

My father taught me, and I passed it on to my own children, that the way to make yourself invaluable to an employer is to quickly discover what is important to them and never disappoint them. Find out their hot buttons, and do everything you can to avoid pushing them. Instead, if they have areas and issues they prefer over others, meet them.

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