A SIMPLER ALTERNATIVE

FOR WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT

TO PREDICT BEHAVIOR
The Big
Five
person
ality
traits
identify
five
broad
dimensi
ons of
personality. Based on observation, not just theory, they are used in the workplace
primarily to explain and predict behavior.
While not all researchers agree on the naming of the traits, a vast array of research
over the past decades has substantiated the existence of these five factors:
4 E - Extroversion: This dimension includes characteristics such as excitability,
sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness and high amounts of emotional
expressiveness. These people seek out stimulation and the company of other
people.
4 A - Agreeableness: This personality dimension includes attributes such as
trust, altruism, kindness, affection and other "prosocial behaviors. These
people are compassionate and cooperative.
4 C - Conscientiousness: Common features of this dimension include high
levels of thoughtfulness, with good impulse control and goal-directed
behaviors. Those high in conscientiousness tend to be organized and mindful
of details, are dutiful and aim for achievement.
4 N - Neuroticism: Individuals high in this dimension tend to experience
emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, vulnerability and
sadness. These people also tend toward anger and depression.
4 O - Openness (to experience): This trait features characteristics such as
imagination and insight, and those high in this trait also tend to have a broad
range of interests. These people appreciate art and adventure. They are
imaginative and curious.
The following grid will provide you with a quick overview of these personality
traits:
Neuroticis
m
Extroversi
on
Openne
ss
Agreeablen
ess
Conscientiousn
ess


Anxiety


Warmth Fantasy Trust Competence

Angry
hostility

Gregariousn
ess
Aestheti
cs
Straight-
forwardness
Order
Depression

Assertivenes
s

Feelings Altruism Dutifulness

Self-
consciousn
ess


Activity Actions Compliance
Achievement
Striving
Impulsiven
ess
Excitement-
seeking
Ideas

Modesty

Self Discipline
Vulnerabilit
y
Positive
Emotions

Values
Tender-
mindedness
Deliberation


The Value of the Big Five
To You as a Manager
These personality types appear to be more easily identifiable in people than
some of the other personality type models and may be more useful for that
reason. Behavior predictability jumps out at you!
As with the other methods of personality typing and profiling, this is another
tool you can use to put together the right mix of personality types when
building a team, selecting the right people for a particular project, identifying
team members who are ready for additional responsibility and/or promotion,
choose a team member to deal directly with a difficult customer, etc.
Are the Big Five Measurable?
There is a website that offers a Big Five test and gives you a thorough analysis
of the results. And its free so you can have everyone on your team take the
test. The downside is they ask you some pesky demographic questions before
you can submit the test.
Return to PERSONALITY TYPE Irom BIG-FIVE