Personality is not destiny but it has a strong influence on our experiences, reactions, preferences and behavior. Personality traits are long-term and enduring patterns of behavior that affect us consistently over time, and consistently in a wide range of circumstances. Our traits are our factory settings. They’re difficult or impossible to change, but we can […]
Credentials are Over-Rated: Hire for Skills
There is a critical shortage of people in the labor force with the “right” credentials. Many job descriptions list a four-year degree requirement when that’s not at all necessary for success on the job. At the same time, hiring managers can’t be certain that even candidates with elite credentials in fact have the skills and […]
Cognitive Dissonance: Keys to Understanding Irrational Behavior
Cognitive dissonance is a phenomenon that has been extensively studied by social psychologists. It is widely recognized as a powerful force that influences human behavior and decision-making, often below our level of awareness. It refers to the discomfort we feel when confronted with information or ideas that contradict our own existing attitudes, beliefs, or values. […]
Quiet Quitting…Really? (Here’s a Better Strategy)
Quiet quitting is a term to describe the strategy of just doing the bare minimum needed to get by on your job. Whether it’s a real thing or a media thing remains to be seen, but a recent McKinsey study about current difficulties in hiring found that the three top reasons people leave their jobs […]
quiet quitting, scott adams, success strategyThe Trait of Complexity
The trait of Complexity is one of the Big Five personality factors. It is sometimes known as Openness to Experience. It is related intellectual curiosity, openness to information, independence of thought and the ability to keep long term objectives in mind. People with high scores on this trait describe themselves as strategic, free-thinking, dogged, imaginative, […]
complexity, openness to experienceThe Trait of Agreeableness
Agreeableness is one of the major Big Five personality factors. People scoring high on Agreeableness are likely to try to get along with others and to maintain harmonious relationships. They display emotional warmth and supportive social interactions. They may have difficulties making tough decisions regarding people. They don’t like conflict. They are typically approachable and […]
Behavioral Control: Conscientiousness
Behavioral Control is one of the major Big Five personality factors. It is often referred to as conscientiousness, and is a good predictor of successful performance in most jobs. This dimension is related to discipline, focus, tenacity and organization. People with high scores on this trait typically control their expressions of feeling and emotion and […]
Emotional Reactivity
Of the five major personality factors, emotional reactivity is most closely associated with psychological health and well-being. This factor has been identified by many researchers as, e.g., anxiety, neuroticism or emotionality. It reflects the tendency to be tense, anxious, easily upset or high strung. However, the eTest personality inventory was normed on a well adjusted […]
Extraversion
Extraversion is a well-researched primary personality factor. This is usually the first dimension that arises from statistical research, called factor analysis, on most personality inventories. At the most basic level, it is seen as an orientation towards the external world of people, things, events, etc., or toward the internal world of thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc. […]
extraversion; big five; personality traitsBad Behavior in the Workplace
As we navigate the transition from pandemic work adjustments to whatever the “new normal” may be, we’re all dealing with a little extra uncertainty and change. The additional effort necessary to handle this change can add stress and can potentially lead to more irritability, shortness, or rudeness in our interactions at work. Are these kinds […]
Bad behavior in the workplace, no asshole rule