As most would agree after staggering painfully away from a seven-course meal, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The same is true for decision-making and leadership in the business world. A world inhabited by billions of George Washingtons would be almost as tiresome as a world full of Mother Theresas. Some bosses or clients respond best to a written booklet of information, while others prefer a personal summary with three briefly described options. As a placement company, we deal in a commodity that spends more time at the office than anywhere else, so the right fit is critical, and that fit goes far beyond educational background and experience.
Experts typically categorize individuals within four dominant styles.
Each personality assessment group assigns a different name to the categories, but the general descriptions are quite similar. The Expressive person values applause, likes to minimize effort and needs a climate that inspires his or her goals. Strong points include being animated, convincing, spontaneous and lively, while weaknesses include struggles with self discipline, forgetfulness, brassy boisterousness and a tendency to want the credit. The Supporter values attention, relationships and feelings. Strong qualities include a submissive and reserved nature, friendliness, a sense of balance and tolerance.