“What is Taoti looking for in an employee?”
“What am I being evaluated on?”
“How do I get ahead here?”
These are the most common questions we get, not just from job applicants, but from employees as well.
To answer that question, I penned a blog back in 2018. Here it is, 2025, coming up on Taoti’s 30th anniversary. I was chatting with one of our longest-tenured employees the other day, and we were contemplating the question: what’s driven our success over the years?
We looked back on the things that really moved the needle for our agency over the past three decades. There’s a lot of things (scrappiness, hustle, and plenty of good luck in there.) But we concluded that more than anything else, there have been a few notable employees that seem to have a different perspective on their jobs. They care like it’s their own business. They are intrinsically motivated to push the company forward beyond just getting through the day-to-day tasks. These people are the game changers that make the agency thrive.
So how do we find and retain more of these overachievers? And how do we cultivate a culture that breeds more needle movers?
To answer that question: In 2025, Taoti launched an employee profit-sharing bonus program. With a twist. Instead of spreading the proverbial peanut butter too thinly across the whole team, we decided to celebrate and recognize those top performers who consistently go above and beyond and really embody what it means to be a Taotian. We also hope this program provides that little bit of extra incentive for those on the cusp of that top tier. Regardless, with real money on the line, it felt like the perfect time to dust off this blog and re-answer the question: “What does it take to be a top performer at Taoti?”
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Taotians (2025 Edition)
1. Sweat the Small Stuff (a.k.a. Have Good Corporate Hygiene)
It’s not flashy, but it’s foundational. The small, important habits (like showing up on time, naming files the right way, logging time consistently, not storing files locally, following workflows, etc.) are what keep us operating smoothly as a team. These are the little things that make us efficient and keep us organized. Doing things “your way” might feel faster in the moment, but it creates chaos down the line. When everyone leans into these shared practices, we’re not just “checking boxes.” We’re fostering the Taoti way. It’s how the clarity, consistency, and teamwork make it easier for us all to focus on the big, needle-moving stuff.
2. Work Smarter and Harder
There’s no substitute for a strong work ethic. That means putting your head down, putting in the hours, and getting deliverables delivered. But the real impact comes when that effort is paired with efficiency. If a 10-hour task gets wrapped up in 5, and the extra time is put back into other work, that’s twice the progress. That balance of hustle and smarts is how momentum builds and how we (and you!) get ahead.
3. Be Master of Your Domain
At the end of the day, being truly effective comes from mastering your craft. When you operate at a truly expert level, you’re not just getting the work done—you’re pushing boundaries, sparking innovation, and offering the kind of thought leadership that sets you apart.
4. Above and Beyond-ism
Doing your job really well is the baseline expectation. It’s why we hired you. What sets people apart are those moments of going further: rolling up sleeves, getting scrappy, keeping that can-do, one-way-or-another mindset, and finding ways around roadblocks instead of waiting for someone else to clear the path. That’s the spirit that elevates good work into great impact.
5. Lean In
Some team members show up, do their work, and wrap up the day. That’s valuable, and we need people who perform like that. But others lean in with a more proactive approach. They look beyond the immediate task to the bigger objective (the “need behind the need”), and in doing so, they not only deliver on what’s asked, but also uncover better ways to approach future work. That’s how we outgrow the growing pains and truly push our own needle forward.
6. Bring the Energy
This one doesn’t get enough attention, but it matters just as much as the rest. You can do great work, but if it stays quiet in your own corner, the impact is limited. What really moves us forward are those who bring energy and passion into the mix. We want people who share their enthusiasm, lift up the team, and help shape our culture from the inside out. Positive energy doesn’t just add to our success, it multiplies it.
7. Lead!
Building on number 6, leadership is not the same as management. In fact, some of the strongest leadership often comes from the bottom of the corporate org chart. True leaders have insight and opinions and bring ideas forward with conviction. They have the confidence to stick their necks out and champion their cause while inspiring others to get on board. Your ability to do this has nothing to do with whether someone reports to you or not. It has everything to do with giving a shit, being passionate, and rallying others around better ways of doing things.
If these values resonate with you, maybe you should be on team Taoti? Check out our careers page or drop us a line!
