CEOs share 3 toxic traits they don't want in their employees: 'Don’t need people to tell me...'

According to the business leaders, as an employee, not voicing your opinions can make you seem fake and untrustworthy. (Representational image: Unsplash)

Toxic employees can drain the productivity of a workplace while bringing down the morale of other employees. That's why most business leaders know of at least one toxic trait they they don't want in their employees.

For billionaire serial entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge Mark Cuban, responding with a "yes" to everything your boss says, even when you don’t agree with them is a red flag. In a MasterClass course, he said that when looking for new partners or employees, Cuban keeps an eye out for candidates who “complement” his skill set but are not afraid to speak up when they disagree with him.

Not voicing your opinions can make you seem fake and untrustworthy.

“I don’t need people to tell me yes,” Mark Cuban said. “I can tell myself yes ... I need people who are going to challenge conventional wisdom and challenge me, and when they think I’ve done something wrong, say, ‘I think you think you’re making a mistake here, and this is why.’”

Tom Gimbel, CEO of staffing and recruiting firm LaSalle Network, said that employees acting like they are owed a promotion or a raise an instant red flag.

″[People who say] ‘I’m only going to do what’s in my job description, I’m not going the extra mile, I’m not going to commit time to this’ and expect to be rewarded” aren’t the kind of employees he would like to have in his company, Gimbel told CNBC Make It.

He added that doing so makes the employees look like they think they are “above” their peers.

"Promotions often hinge more on the quality of your work, the strength of your workplace relationships, and your track record of moving the company forward," said, adding that if you see that your colleagues “do more” than you, find a passion project or creative ways to contribute on the job to help you stay competitive.

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but not owning up to your mistakes is a big "no" for Talia Fox, CEO of executive consulting firm KUSI Global. Speaking to CNBC Make It, she said, “Owning your mistakes and having a high level of integrity is so critical... Just show up and have some honesty around it.”

Passing the blame is both manipulative and mean, Fox added. Instead, she recommended apologising and doing the work to make it right.