Several years ago, I engaged in an online survey called StrengthFinders. My employer thought that, perhaps, if we got to know each other's strengths, we might focus less on each other's weaknesses and thus, play up to those strengths of each team member and figure out how to best "play nice." We were then asked to post each others' strengths on our desks so that when we became entrenched in a conversation or embattled in a discussion we would already be familiar with how each of us would potentially react.

Later on, with another company, I was subjected to a Meyers Briggs "revelation," the test to beat all other personality tests. Am I an introvert? Ummm, no. Didn't need a test for that. Intuitive - always follow my "gut." I think way too much and value feelings too little, tell me something I don't know. And I generally perceive too much. It's in my nature, I suppose..., And how dare Jung call me irrational.

DISC also scales people down and determines whether or not they are good for one thing or another... Like a letter determines who we are. I have a friend who just interviewed for a new position. His interview lasted for an hour and a half. Always a good sign. He left with a very good feeling. There was even talk of a potential promotion not too far down the road. I asked him how the Hiring Manager left it with him. "Well, I have to take this personality test, to see if I am suitable..." The DISC test, really? Interview went well, experience matches necessary requirements, no need to relocate, knows the business, gets along well with HM..., but the company requires a test that will magically plot his personality out in lines on a graph so determination can be made whether he is dominant or maybe he is an influencer, which would be good, since he is a salesman.

I guess I am not really sure how I feel about these tests and their use. I have taken the three mentioned here and interestingly enough, much like astrology, I found enough truth to buy them hook, line and sinker. As a matter of fact, this last weekend, I took the StrengthFinders test again - seven years later after I took the first one, to see if anything had changed... Surprise! My core strengths had changed. The two years that separated my first Meyers Briggs from the second, also showed differences in who I appear to be.

What does it prove? Just that we are an evolving people and nailing someone into a pigeon hole shortchanges opportunities on both sides. Along with the sunrise, differences occur each day - don't need a test for that, either.

© by rayannethorn