The 5 Minute Personality Test An Industrial Organizational Psychology Personality Profile

History/Background This test was designed by industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists to help determine how different personality types and groups would be most efficient in the workplace They designated that there are four “styles” (Based on animals) that encompass a person’s natural inclinations, strengths and weaknesses. It also helps indicate which types or styles work best together and how to best motivate different types of people in a task-oriented environment

Directions On the paper there are 10 horizontal lines with four words on each line (one in each of 4 columns) In each line put the number “4” next to the word that best describes you in that line; a “3” next to the word that the describe the next best’ a “2” to the next best word and a “1” by the word that least describes you. When you have finished you need to total up the words by COLUMN

How to Read Your Results Each Letter (L, O, G, B) stands for a particular personality types. The column with the highest score is you dominant personality type, while the column with the 2nd highest score is you sub-dominant type L=Lions/Leaders O=Otters/Influence G=Golden Retrievers=Loyalty B=Beavers=Industrious

The Animal Spectrum

Understanding and Valuing a Lion Lions are Leaders. They are usually the bosses at work (Or at least think they are!) They are decisive, bottom-line folks who are observers, not watchers or listeners . They love to solve problems They are usually individualists who love to seek new adventures and opportunities Lions are confident and self-reliant. They take charge in group settings. Their aggressive tone/behavior can sometimes cause problems with others

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Lion Natural Strengths Natural Weaknesses Decisive Goal Oriented Achievement Driven Gets Results Risk Taker Takes Initiative Self-Starter Persistent Efficient Competitive Driven to complete tasks efficiently and effectively Impatient Blunt Demanding Poor Listener Impulsive Projects > People Insensitive “Runs Over” others who try to speak Fears inactivity or relaxation Quickly bored by routines or mechanics

What Lion’s Need: Basic Disposition: Fast-paced, task oriented Motivated By: Results, challenge, action, power, credit for achievement Time Management: Focus on NOW instead of distant future, Get a lot done in less time than peers, Hate wasting time. Get straight to the point Communication Style: Great at initiating, not good at listening Decision Making: Impulsive, Results-focused, needs few facts to make a decision When Under Pressure: Takes command, becomes autocratic Greatest Needs: Results, Variety, New Challenges, Solve problems, Direct answers Greatest Desires: Freedom, Authority, Variety, Difficult Assignments, Opportunity for advancement

Understanding an Otter Otters are excitable, fun-seeking, cheerleader types who love to talk! They’re great at motivating others and need to be in an environment where they can talk and have a vote on major decisions. They have an outgoing nature and make great “networkers” Otters can be very loving and encouraging UNLESS they are under pressure-they tend to use their verbal skills to attack. They have a strong desire to be liked and enjoy being the center of attention. Otters are often attentive to style, clothes and “flash”. They are the life of any party and most people enjoy being around them

Strengths and Weaknesses of an Otter Natural Strengths Natural Weaknesses Enthusiastic Optimistic Good Communicator Emotional/Passionate Motivational/Inspirational Outgoing Personable Dramatic Fun-Loving Unrealistic Not detail-oriented Disorganized Impulsive Listens to “feelings” above “logic” Reactive Can be too Talkative Easily excitable

What Otters Need Basic Disposition: Fast-paced, people-oriented Motivated By: Recognition, Approval from others Time Management: Focus on the future and have a tendency to rush to the next exciting thing Communication Style: Enthusiastic and stimulating, often one-way; but can inspire and motivate others Decision Making: Intuitive and fast. Makes a lot of “right calls’ and a lot of wrong ones When Under Pressure: ATTACKS. Often more concerned with popularity than achieving tangible results Greatest Needs: Social activities and recognition. Activities that are fun, and freedom from details Greatest Desires: Prestige, friendly relationships, opportunity to help and motivate others, opportunities to share ideas verbally

Understanding a Beaver Beavers have a strong need to do things right and “by the book”. They are great at providing quality control in an office or any field that require accuracy (accounting, engineering etc…) Because rules, consistency and high standards are so important to Beavers, they are often frustrated with others who do not share these same characteristics. Beavers have a strong need to maintaining high (and sometimes unrealistic) standards that can short-circuit their ability to express warmth in a relationship

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Beaver Natural Strengths Natural Weaknesses Accurate Analytical Detail-oriented Thorough Industrious Orderly Methodical High Standards Intuitive Controlled Too hard on self Too critical on others Perfectionist Overly Cautious Won’t make decisions without all the facts Too Picky Overly sensitive

What Beavers Need Basic Disposition: Slow paced, task oriented Motivated By: The desire to be right and maintain quality Time Management: Beavers tend to work slowly to make sure they are accurate Communication Style: Beavers are good listeners, communicate details and are usually diplomatic Decision Making: Avoids making decisions; needs lots of information before they will make a decision When Under Pressure: Tries to avoid pressure/tense situations. They can ignore deadlines Greatest Needs: Security, gradual change and time to adjust to it Greatest Desires: Clearly defined tasks, stability, security, low risk, tasks that require precision and planning

Understanding a Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are LOYAL above all else. They’re so loyal that they can absorb the most emotional pain and punishment in a relationship and still stay committed. They are great listeners, incredibly empathetic, and warm encouragers. However, they tend to be such “pleasers” that they can have great difficulty being assertive in a situation or relationship when it is needed

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Golden Retriever Natural Strengths Natural Weaknesses Patient Easy-Going Team Player Stable Empathetic Compassionate Sensitive to others Loyal People> Projects Dependable Reliable Supportive Agreeable Indecisive Over accommodating May sacrifice results for the sake of harmony Slow to initiate Avoids confrontation Tends to hold grudges and remember hurts inflicted by others Fears change/instability

What Golden Retrievers Need Basic Disposition: Slow paced, people oriented Motivated By: Desire for good relationships and appreciation of others Time Management: Focus on the present and devote lots of time to helping others and building relationships Communication Style: Two-way communicator, great listener and provides empathetic response Decision Making: Makes decisions slowly, wants input from others and often yields to the input When Under Pressure: Gives in to the opinions, wishes and ideas of others. Often too tolerant Greatest Needs: Security, gradual change and time to adjust to it. A conflict-free environment Greatest Desires: Quality friendships security, consistent environment, a relaxed, friendly environment, freedom to work at own pace