Often when managers are interviewing candidates, they identify a prominent personality trait, talent, or behavior that largely defines who the person is. And they sometimes wonder if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that the individual appears to be hard-wired with the particular quality.
- “She’s really assertive and likes to take charge of projects rather than follow someone else’s lead. Is that good or bad?”
- “He seems like a total perfectionist. Is that good or bad?”
- “She comes across as pretty introverted and kind of a loner. Is that good or bad?”
- “He’s very creative and likes to come up with his own ways of doing things. Is that good or bad?”
And when they approach me wanting my input on these questions, my response is pretty much always the same: “It depends on the job.”
Is assertiveness good? Certainly, if the job requires the person to exert influence and push for results. Not so much if it’s a role where someone else already calls the shots and is used to issuing directives and having them followed without question.
Is perfectionism bad? Not if the individual is going to be doing a job where mistakes are unacceptable. For example, if I needed brain surgery, I’d be thrilled to hear my surgeon described as a perfectionist. But if the position requires the employee to take risks and try lots of new things that may or may not pan out, perfectionism can be an anchor that holds the individual back.
What about sociability? It’s good if the job is best done by someone who is outgoing and can interact frequently with all different types of people. Not so good if she’ll be sitting in a cubicle for 7 or 8 hours a day crunching numbers and analyzing data, because she’ll go stir crazy from the lack of connection to others.
and, finally,
Is it good or bad that someone chafes at following established methods? Only if your company’s way is the only way and he just needs to sit down, shut up, and follow standard operating procedures. Otherwise it’s great if you’re looking for someone to break away from the status quo and create an entirely new, outside-the-box, way of doing something.
Do you see the pattern here? Personality traits and talents, in and of themselves, are never good or bad. The very trait that can undermine your success in one job can be the thing that makes you a standout in another. The trick, if you’re the hiring manager, is making sure you understand the position you’re trying to fill well enough to identify what you need vs. what you don’t in the individual you’d like to bring on board.
If you can do that, it’s all good.
Have you ever found yourself in a “good or bad” dilemma? Please tell us about your experience here.
Share and Enjoy:
|
|
