Behavioral Assessment Tools: Fun, Not Fearful

It’s been our experience that, initially, some folks are a bit hesitant or afraid to take a personality assessment.  Their primary concern is usually worrying about how they will “look” to their boss, or prospective employer.  However, it’s also been my experience that once I have an opportunity to talk with these individuals, their perception turns from suspicious and fearful, to viewing the tool as valuable and fun.  It’s fun for team members to share their results with each other, with their manager, and even with their family!  It’s also fun for me, talking to our clients and helping them to better understand not only themselves, but to show them how to “diagnose” what makes others “tick” as well.

I often have people tell me that the results are “scary”, “spooky”, “spot on”…some also wonder who in their family I’ve been talking to!  Certainly, our assessment, the ECI Behavioral Insight^® not only helps our clients to increase employee productivity and reduce turnover, it is also a valuable tool to team building, coaching, and personal development.  Personally, being a service-motivated individual, I like talking to people about their assessment results, helping them to understand not only what drives their own behavior, but also giving them insight into how to meet their “opposite style” halfway.  For example, it’s fun to hear the “light bulb go on” in a manager’s voice as they relay a story about themselves working with a particular staff member and that they can now pinpoint where the style difference is likely occurring, and how they can change their approach with the individual moving forward.

Remember, when looking at or talking about someone’s personality, there is no “good” or “bad”, we’re simply looking at differences in styles.  Understanding your personality style preferences, and how you relate to others whose style is similar and different from your own, will strengthen your relationships, enhance skills, and increase confidence.