 In order to work in such a complex and important industry, mission critical operators need to have certain personality traits. These traits form the basis of a mission critical mindset and a firm foundation for a career in industry. So what makes a good MCO? A good MCO is accountable. An employee who is responsible and capable of explaining their actions to someone is invaluable. In mission critical operations, it is sometimes necessary to keep logs, complete reports, and sometimes even document things that do not go as planned in order to avoid it happening again. Whatever the task, a successful mission critical employee completes these records thoroughly, precisely, and in a timely manner. A good MCO is adaptable. A successful mission critical operator is one who is capable of adjusting to changing conditions. Being flexible and cooperative in any situation that arises can make everyone's job easier and help some mission critical organization keep operating. A good MCO is a communicator. An effective mission critical operator is also an effective communicator. Effective communicators not only get their point across, but are also active listeners. Their use of both verbal and non-verbal communications helps those around them to avoid confusion and miscommunication while helping with productivity, morale, and team building. When seconds count, effective communications are critical. A good MCO is proactive. Thoughtful employees who are prepared for possible problems and stressful situations are necessary in the mission critical environment. A mission critical operator who has already begun thinking about potential scenarios is well prepared and calm while working to prevent outages, accidents, and other recurrences. A good MCO is rational. Someone who is logical and reasonable is an asset to a mission critical organization. An employee capable of working with good judgment and possessing an ability to sort out information given to them to determine what is pertinent and important is a valuable asset. A good MCO is self-motivated. In a mission critical environment, those in management do not always have the time to push the employees that work under them toward the goal or objective. It is preferable to hire mission critical operators who are motivated to move forward and meet objectives out of their own personal desire to succeed. As you can see, being a good mission critical operator requires a special person. With the right technical skills and a good mission critical mindset, you can go far as an MCO.