A 63-year-old CEO reveals the top 3 warning signs she observes in employees: 'No one wants to be near them.'

Deryl McKissack is no stranger to spotting toxic traits.

In 1990, McKissack, 63, founded and currently leads McKissack & McKissack, a construction firm based in Washington D.C. Despite starting with only $1,000 from her savings, the company faced challenges in its early years due to difficulties in finding the right employees.

According to CNBC Make It, her company's $25 million annual revenue can be attributed to discovering the right talent.

When evaluating her current talent or hiring employees, McKissack says these three red flags stand out the most.

People who lack integrity

Trust is crucial for every boss, according to McKissack. Employees who lack integrity can cause problems, especially when they are managers who fail to give their teams proper recognition.

If someone is consistently saying "I did this" without acknowledging their team's contributions, it sets off alarm bells in McKissack's head.

Heidi K. Gardner, a professional leadership advisor and distinguished fellow at Harvard Law School, also emphasizes the importance of integrity in the workplace. Gardner believes that passing off other people's work as one's own is unethical and sends a negative message about respect for colleagues.

""The inability to recognize the value that others bring to their own success is a major red flag for me, as it hinders collaboration," she stated."

People who are hard to be around

In any industry, most teams require individuals who can effectively collaborate with others. However, this can be challenging when team members dislike each other or vice versa.

"If I don't enjoy being around my employees, it's likely that clients won't want to be around them either," McKissack remarks.

In April, self-made millionaire and entrepreneur Steve Adcock told Make It that having a warm, inviting personality at work can potentially help you advance in your career beyond your skills and qualifications.

"Intelligence may not always be the key to success, as Adcock pointed out. I have observed this throughout my career, working with many intelligent individuals. However, the smartest people in the office did not always receive the raises and promotions."

People who don't live up to the company mantra

McKissack's business mantra is "humble, hungry, smart," which she learned from Patrick Lencioni's book, "The Ideal Team Player."

"Our unquenchable thirst for achievement is fueled by humility, which motivates us to prioritize the collective good. We also place a high importance on emotional intelligence because it is the foundation of strong connections."

Embodying humility, hunger, and smartness transformed McKissack's workforce into a group of individuals committed to the same mission, instead of one with low employee engagement, according to her.

According to Lencioni's book, the "three virtues" of successful team players are teamwork, trust, and conflict resolution.

"I repeatedly questioned why I was stagnant despite being stagnant for years, as stated by McKissack. However, it was when I decided to expand our mission beyond just building structures to improving humanity that we began to undergo significant changes."

To stop worrying about money, enroll in CNBC's online course, Financial Wellness: Be Happier, Wealthier & More Financially Secure. We'll teach you the psychology of money, stress management, and healthy financial habits. Plus, use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount through September 2, 2024. Start today!

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.