Traits - Interpretations Flashcards
1
Q
Optimism (OP) - what it means when LOW
A
- Tends to expect that things will not work out to their
favor and is therefore more
likely to have contingency
plans in place. - Sees the downside of
things, can identify potential
problems. - Can be a helpful in high
stake situations where the
cost of errors is very high
and preparing for the worst
case is preferred. - May spend more time
thinking about past failures
than successes. - Has a hard time getting over
setbacks. Focu
2
Q
Optimism (OP) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Takes a positive outlook
regarding most situations. - Remains positive even when
facing disappointment. - Looks forward to
opportunities and future
challenges. - Likely to be satisfied with
life. - Is excited about what lies
ahead including challenges. - Consistently sees
opportunities in challenges,
remaining positive and
upbeat, even in difficult
situations. - Gets past disappointments
and looks forward to things. - Unlikely to attribute failure
to personal characteristics
3
Q
Situational Self-Awareness (SS) - what it means when LOW
A
- Can be less aware of own
emotions and reactions
and how they affect
behavior, judgments and
the demands of changing
situations. - Tends to rely on the same
style and approach in
various situations. - Can overgeneralize or fail to
consider the unique aspects
of a situation. - Tends to focus on past or
future events rather than
the present moment. - May not take the time,
or have the insight, to
recognize and respond to
own thoughts or feelings in
a mindful way
4
Q
Situational Self-Awareness (SS) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Is attuned to their own
thoughts, perceptions and
feelings and understands
how to self-regulate. - Tends to focus on the
present moment rather than
let their mind wander to the
past or future. - Is perceptive of situational
cues and adjusts behavior
accordingly. - Recognizes the need for
different approaches in
different situations. - Adapts own behavior and
style to suit circumstances. - Accepts their internal states,
feelings, thoughts and
emotions non-judgmentally.
5
Q
Composure (CP) - what it means when LOW
A
- Tends to freely express
how they feel in the
moment (e.g., anger or
great excitement) and react
emotionally to a range of
situations. - Can exhibit an “open book”
style when working with
others. - May use emotional
transparency to inspire or
energize teams. - Seems to take comments
and criticism personally.
This may cause others to be
reluctant to say things that
might trigger a reaction. - Frequently displays
emotions in ways that
may be inappropriate or
disproportionate to the
situation.
6
Q
Composure (CP) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Tends to be calm, poised
and maintains composure
even under stressful or
challenging times. - Responds well to pressure
and is likely to work through
difficult situations without
showing anger or irritation. - Tends to appear composed,
and calm, seldom
expressing strong emotions
(positive or negative)
or reacting in ways that
detract from focusing on
the job at hand. - Can be difficult to read.
Is not prone to emotional
outbursts, but may also not
show enthusiasm, either. - Is likely viewed by others as
steadfast and professional
at all times.
7
Q
Credibility (CR) - what it means when LOW
A
- May ‘oversell’ capabilities.
- May make commitments
which are too ‘optimistic’
and are difficult to honor. - Perceives commitments as
more ‘flexible’ depending
on the situation at hand and
as result may appear less
consistent in meeting them.
8
Q
Credibility (CR) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Can be counted on to follow
through on commitments;
even when circumstances
indicate a change in
direction. - May at times appear as rigid
in following through on
what they say they will do. - May be very honest and
direct in their approach. - Maintains confidences
shared by others.
9
Q
Confidence (CF) - what it means when LOW
A
- May be reluctant to take a
stand due to self-doubt. - Relies on conventional
wisdom rather than own
insights. - Has little confidence in own
skills and abilities. - May regularly expect
failure, feel discouraged
and attribute failures to bad
luck.
10
Q
Confidence (CF) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Has a high level of
confidence in own abilities
and skills regardless of the
situation. - Believes anything can be
accomplished if the desire
and drive are there. - May believe they can
overcome just about any
obstacle and are willing
to take on unfamiliar
assignments. - Is confident that their future
is in their hands.
11
Q
Need for Achievement (NA) - what it means when LOW
A
- Tend not to work
energetically to exceed
expectations. - Set individual standards
that may not meet others’
expectations. - Be less motivated by
competition. - May not seek out difficult
challenges. - Set boundaries on
discretionary efforts. - Prefers to remain in a
comfort zone. - May respond more to
intrinsic than extrinsic goals.
12
Q
Need for Achievement (NA) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Sets high standards to
achieve goals. - Pursues tasks with energy
and drive despite obstacles
and setbacks. - Has a strong track record as
a high performer. - Pushes self and help others
to achieve results
13
Q
Persistence (PE) - what it means when LOW
A
- Be driven more by short term goals or more
immediate demands. - May change course in the
face of obstacles. - Takes a more spontaneous
approach to setting and
pursuing goals.
14
Q
Persistence (PE) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Stays committed when
faced with adversity. - Perseveres in pursuit of
long-term goals. - Stays composed and
forward-thinking despite
setbacks. - Is driven by a strong sense
of purpose.
15
Q
Affiliation (AF) - what it means when LOW
A
- May not seek assistance
when working on a
challenging task. - Most proud of individual
accomplishments. - Does their best work when
working autonomously. - Communicates most
effectively with only one
or a few key, trusted
colleagues.
16
Q
Affiliation (AF) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Has a strong team
orientation. - Cooperates with others to
achieve shared objectives. - Considers others’ interests
as well as their own. - Partners with others to get
work done. - Gives credit for team
accomplis
17
Q
Humility (HU) - what it means when LOW
A
- May find it difficult to admit
when wrong. - Tends to boast about own
accomplishments and
successes. - May be reluctant to admit
not having the knowledge
or answers.
18
Q
Humility (HU) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Appreciates the importance
and value of other people. - Tends to be open and
honest about own mistakes. - Appears modest and
unassuming
19
Q
Trust (TR) - what it means when LOW
A
- Tends to approach people
with some skepticism or
suspicion. - May be less willing to accept
other people at their word. - Questions others’ motives
and believe that most
people have hidden
agendas
20
Q
Trust (TR) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Expects that others will
be open, honest and treat
people fairly. - Maintains good intentions
when approaching others. - Finds it easy to trust others
and will give them the
benefit of the doubt. - Interacts with others in:
honest and straightforward
fashion.
21
Q
Openness to Difference (OD) - what it means when LOW
A
- May dedicate less time to
understand how different
people think and operate. - Gives more credence to
the contributions of those
similar to themselves. - Considers that others
should draw similar
conclusions. - May experience conflict
when working with people
whose cultures, values and
perspectives may differ
from own.
22
Q
Openness to Difference (OD) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Embraces new experiences.
- Finds it easy to develop
relationships with people
who have a range of
different personalities, views
and perspectives. - Seeks to learn from other’s
perspectives and cultural
backgrounds. - Prefers to work in a diverse
environment, where they
find ideas that differ from
their own to be intriguing
and engaging.
23
Q
Focus (FO) - what it means when LOW
A
- Prefers to focus on the big
picture rather than spending
time focusing on what they
consider minor details. - May, at times, underestimate
the complexity of issues and
the importance of details. - May miss checking for
errors or assume that a
process is in place to catch
them. - Is comfortable with
compromise or settling for
less-than-perfect. Focuses
more on the big picture
and/or getting results,
ignoring details and their
importance. - May rely on others to take
care of the details down the
road.
24
Q
Focus (FO) - what it means when HIGH
A
- Is meticulous and thorough
in their work. - Tends to focus on accuracy,
ensuring that every single
detail is attended to and
that work is completed
without errors. - Strives for perfection,
thorough planning and
flawless execution. - Will address all details, even
when they may not be an
important part of the work. - May spend too much time
on checking for detail
or perfecting their work,
when ‘good enough’ would
suffice.
25
**Curiosity (CU)** - what it means when LOW
* Is likely to take issues at
face value without deeper
questioning.
* May oversimplify potentially
complex or novel problems.
* Defaults to the tried and
tested.
* Seeks out common sources
of information.
* Prefers conventional
solutions and sees the
connections that others
typically make.
* Is likely to look at common
sources of information
rather than explore new and
alternative sources.
* Is unlikely to seek out or
consider novel approaches.
* May believe that looking at
ideas from too many angles
or introducing new ways of
problem solving confuses
the issue.
* Tends to have a strong point
of view regarding how to
solve problems.
26
**Curiosity (CU)** - what it means when HIGH
* Looks beyond face value.
* Tends to draw upon many
(and sometimes disparate)
sources of information to
solve a problem.
* Thrives on complexity.
* Is highly flexible in thinking
and intellectually curious.
* Considers multiple
perspectives when weighing
options or interpreting
information.
* Tends to seek and identify
patterns in data.
* Typically seeks new and
unusual connections and
insights.
* Is likely to be energized
by work that allows for
creativity and invention.
* Is open to exploring
multiple alternatives
and perspectives to get
the whole picture when
considering a problem.
* Approaches problems in an
open, creative way.
* Gathers information to
pursue a deep and broad
understanding.
27
**Adaptability (AD)** - what it means when LOW
* Tends to stick to known
approaches that have
worked in the past.
* Enjoys solving problems
where known solutions are
applicable and where tried
and tested methods can be
relied upon.
* Likes established
procedures, but may
seem rigid, inflexible,
and unwilling to try new
approaches.
* May impose existing
approaches too quickly as a
means to limiting surprises
and change.
* When required to deal with
unanticipated issues, new
situations or new methods,
may require more time than
most to adjust.
* Prefers status quo and
predictability and therefore
gravitates toward situations
where change is unlikely
28
**Adaptability (AD)** - what it means when HIGH
* Likes a new challenge.
* Is flexible and adaptable.
* Actively and continuously
considers alternate ways of
doing things.
* Prefers variety over routine
and readily adapts to
unfamiliar situations.
* Alters approach or schedule
as needed to meet
changing requirements.
* Thinks on their feet and
readily accepts last-minute
changes.
* Welcomes experimentation
and questions the status quo.
* Is open to new ways of
doing things, likes variety
and the opportunity to try
new methods.
* Is willing to change approach
when asked or when
circumstances require it.
29
**Risk-Taking (RI)** - what it means when LOW
* May prefer conservative,
prudent and familiar
approaches.
* Does not typically seek risky
assignments.
* Good at identifying things
that could go wrong.
* May help minimize risk
through careful analysis and
preparation.
* May miss opportunities due
to their careful approach.
* Not likely to take risks
without sufficient
information.
* Less willing to champion an
unpopular idea or solution.
* Prefers caution and security
over possibility of greater
reward.
* May be uncomfortable with
the possibility of failure
and prefers activities with
stronger probability of a
favorable outcome.
30
**Risk-Taking (RI)** - what it means when HIGH
* Not afraid to fail.
* Prefers success over
security.
* Is willing to consider but
not be deterred by public
scrutiny.
* Willing to stand alone
and take responsibility for
successes and failures.
* Willing to take risks to
potentially receive higher
returns.
* Is drawn to high-stakes,
high-profile and high-visibility opportunities with potential for high reward (turnaround or
entrepreneurial situations).
* Enjoys taking chances and
will occasionally make risky
decisions.
31
**Tolerance of Ambiguity (TA)** - what it means when LOW
* Seeks conclusive
information before making a
decision.
* Prefers to finish projects
before moving on.
* Has a high need for
predictability, structure,
certainty, and clarity.
* May feel stressed and
anxious in ambiguous
situations.
* May procrastinate making
decisions in uncertain
conditions.
* May appear stubborn and
unwilling to move on if there
is no clear path ahead.
* Can find it uncomfortable
to work on projects where
their role is not clearly
defined, expectations are
not clear, and resources and
plans are not specified.
32
**Tolerance of Ambiguity (TA)** - what it means when HIGH
* Willing to experiment.
* Willing to move forward
despite uncertainty.
* Flexible, adaptable, and
willing to “shift gears”
* Can remain productive in
uncertainty.
* Is unflappable in volatile
and unpredictable settings,
seeing these as an
opportunity to create new
solutions.
* Relishes the challenge of
bringing order to chaos.
* Can be highly productive
despite the lack of a clear
view of the future.
* In uncertain situations, is
able to marshal necessary
resources and provide
direction to keep things
moving ahead.
33
**Empathy (EM)** - what it means when LOW
* Takes a rational view of
situations.
* Less perceptive to social
cues and how those cues
affect the emotions and
reactions of others.
* Less focused on navigating
social complexity.
* May appear to be “all
business” when interacting
with others.
* May get caught off guard
by others’ reactions to
events or statements.
* May not know the best way
to show compassion.
* May respond
inappropriately to situations.
34
**Empathy (EM)** - what it means when HIGH
* Gives others the benefit of
the doubt.
* Able to see things from
another’s perspective.
* Show insight and
understanding even
for those who are less
respected or liked.
* Is willing to help others.
* Comfortable discussing or
examining feelings.
* Perceived by others as nonjudgmental.
35
**Assertiveness (AS)** - what it means when LOW
* Less inclined to tell others
what to do and impose their
own goals or direction.
* Is natural in a follower role
and can be a great team
player.
* Chooses to step back rather
than interfere with the
group process.
* Is happy to leave decision
making to others.
* May be perceived as
passive, tentative or
indecisive.
* May not step into a
leader role unless there is
significant pressure from
others to do so.
36
**Assertiveness (AS)** - what it means when HIGH
* Can be counted on to
proactively take on
leadership roles.
* Believes they should be in
control.
* Enjoys having authority over
others.
* Not afraid to take charge,
give clear direction and step
in to remove obstacles as
needed.
* Does not hesitate to make
decisions or delegate
appropriately.
* Seen by others as decisive
and sometimes aggressive.
37
**Sociability (SO)** - what it means when LOW
* Reserved - less comfortable
in new social settings.
* Relies on fewer, deeper
relationships as opposed
to a broad social network
Seems reserved or formal.
* May be more task focused
when interacting with
people.
* Likely to find social
interaction draining and
needs time to recharge after
social events.
* Devotes little time to small
talk.
38
**Sociability (SO)** - what it means when HIGH
* Exhibits warm, friendly
welcoming behavior.
* Calls upon a variety of
tactics for relationship
building.
* Is able to adjust his or her
style depending on the
situation or person.
* Shows interest in others, ask
questions. Makes others feel
at ease quickly.
* Is energized by meeting new
people and being involved
in social interactions.
* Likely to have a broad
network of contacts.
39
**Influence (IN)** - what it means when LOW
* Not view feelings and values
as relevant data points.
* May lack confidence in
ability to articulate an
argument.
* May not adjust rationale to
fit the audience.
* May lean on authority, rather
than persuasion, to move
people to action.
* Acts as if the right point of
view is self-evident.
* Too easily swayed or lack
strong opinions.
40
**Influence (IN)** - what it means when HIGH
* Use a variety of tactics to
influence others.
* Viewed as persuasive
* Finds points of agreement
or synergy.
* Wins concessions without
straining relationships.
* Argues with flexibility.
* Understands individual
values, needs and goals and
uses this understanding to
persuade.
* Uses skills to motivate
others to do what they
would like them to do. Can
be seen as inspirational.
