Stop Wasting Money on Personality Tests - Do This Instead
Ever done a personality test?
Remember the name of it?
Remember the result?
Didn’t think so.
Why?
The truth is, most personality tests, aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.
We answer a few multi-choice questions about ourselves, get a list of statements which summarise our personality, and a label for our type, and then...
Well.
Nothing.
In the Information Age, getting data is not our problem. Applying it, is.
We find the framework, get our label, maybe even learn the characteristics of a few other profiles. But then the process stops. We don’t actually do anything with the information.
We simply don’t have the toolbox, or the motivation, to apply what we’ve just learned.
Which leads me to another question, is there a better way to do things?
Yes, I think so.
To me, there are 3 parts to getting the most out of a behavioural assessment or personality test.
The tool
The teacher
The application
Firstly, lets talk about the tool. Personally, I use DISC. I won’t get into why I use DISC, as that’s another post in itself, but needless to say, it’s well regarded.
Secondly, I make sure that every client who is administered a DISC assessment is de-briefed thoroughly, and is equipped with the tools to identify other profiles (not just their own) and adjust their communication accordingly.
Lastly, and as above, a good assessment, and a good de-brief aren’t enough. You need to apply what you’ve learned, and speak the language consistently.
I always make sure my clients understand the value of using behavioural profiles in their organisation: Hiring the right people, less headaches with existing staff, improved conversion rates, and increased profits, to name a few. Finally, once the motivation is established, you need to ensure you’re speaking the language daily with your team, and that the concepts are re-visited regularly.
In summary. Pick a well-regarded assessment, match it with a well-regarded human, put it into practice.
As always, if you need help, shout out.
Marcus