The Amazing Value of Learning More About Yourself

I've long been fascinated with assessments -- personality and ability. It probably stems from my original career dream of being a sports statistician.

A friend of mine (a coach), offered to do some pro bono coaching for me -- and part of her proposal was for me to take the "Predictive Index" (PI) - which is, apparently, a well-respected indicator.

As I mentioned, I *love* assessments -- especially those that generate truly authentic results from seemingly unrelated questions. This assessment did exactly that!

The PI has (evidently) two components: the first is the personality assessment, which is what I truly found fascinating. Using just two simple questions ("how do you see yourself and how do others see you?") it generated a truly comprehensive (and scarily accurate!) report.

For example: My "type" is a controller (which is an extremely unfortunate name). My traits are that I'm moderately independent, confident, analytical, introspective. I'm very driven, diligent and reserved. At work, I'm proactive.

Here is my summary:

Chris is a self-disciplined, conscientious person who will develop a high degree of expertise and skill in a specialized job. He has the drive to get things done right and in accordance with established standards of accuracy and quality.

He is an analytical person who respects traditional organizational values. Reserved, serious, and thoughtful about everything to be done, is a no-nonsense worker who worries about getting things exactly right.

He is never superficial, and will make sure that they know what they’re talking about before speaking. His work will meet very high, specific quality standards.

He is capable of exercising ingenuity in problem-solving within the limits of specialized expertise and training.

He will be factual, sincere, detailed, and impatient to get on with the task at hand. His primary focus is the efficient completion of the task, and solving any problems in the way. He thinks things through and communicates when they have something substantive and proven to say about the work.

Christopher strives to make sure that things get done right, and is often placed in positions of control and trust. He has a sense of urgency and works and functions, in general, at a faster-than-average pace, making decisions quickly as long as they are the kind of decisions that can be made in support of accepted policies.

And, to that, I simply say "Wow." That completely encapsulated me, from two simple questions. My mind was blown.

The report goes on to provide my "influencing style" as well as management strategies (for managing me) - which basically are summarized as "give him clear instructions and let him go!" It further breaks down a personal development chart into four indicators/traits (dominance -- how much one needs to control; extraversion -- the need for social interaction; patience -- the need for stability; and formality -- the need to conform/follow rules) -- and each of those charts has a strengths/weaknesses and self-coaching tips. It's a wealth of information.

Interestingly, my coach also was surprised by my cognitive assessment -- she said, apparently, most people don't finish the assessment (50 questions). I actually completed 48, and I got (I believe) 44 correct (which, evidently places me in the 99th percentile).

My coach then expressed her surprise that I hadn't been hired yet. I explained that -- sadly -- hires aren't made on your skills and abilities.

But, what this did for me was amazing. Last week, I was asked to complete a similar assessment for a company (not PI, but a different vendor) and the confidence I had from this experience was tremendously uplifting. I ran through the assessment; and felt great afterwards (and, so far, they're still interested in speaking with me -- so that's good!)

In the meantime - I'd recommend everyone take a personality assessment (and, a good one -- not ones from Buzzfeed like "which hobbit are you?" as amusing as those are!); because the information may be eye-opening.