Withholding:
This is really a Bias scale" that measures a person's
tendency to give reasonable or realistic responses versus
a "distorted" response. High scores suggest a person
may be withholding data about him/herself and may be exaggerating
the positive aspects (socially desirable) of their behavior.
Low scores can indicate a self-critical approach. Hence,
high and low scores cause one to interpret the data either
up or down.
Conscientious:
Focusing on your job is important but some people are so
focused and conscientious that they become perfectionists
and drive other people crazy. Hence, this can be good and
bad. Commitment to one's work is important for success but "too great
a focus" can lead to perfectionist tendencies. That is,
you work hard but cannot accomplish a reasonable amount of
work because your style "forces you to do every task" in
a near perfect fashion.
Achievement:
People who are achievement oriented usually are better performers.
They are serious about their work and "drive themselves"
to achieve and do well. However, there is also a downside
where they can be so achievement oriented that they run over
others, cannot work in teams and make the lives of others
difficult (e.g., destructively competitive). In addition,
some people "pull out all the stops" to achieve
their goals and may take advantage of others, cut corners
for faster results or even "bend the truth" in
an effort to look impressive to their superiors.
Organized:
This is another trait that is positive in moderate amounts
but potentially negative when carried to extremes. Compulsive
people are organized, usually like structure and/or rules,
strive to make their work efficient and seek a personal sense
of control in their activities.
You want to identify people who exhibit
what is commonly called a work-ethic or a sense of
job responsibility. Such people usually have a strong
sense of duty and commitment, are usually ambitious
and invest in their job and are conscientious about
doing a good job (not because others are watching
but because they take pride in what they do). They
exhibit a sense of integrity and?do what they say
they will do? They are not manipulative. They are
often well organized. This can be taken too far, however,
causing them to become rigid and inflexible.
Manipulative:
This is a continuum running from forthright and too
blunt to clever and potentially manipulative. A moderate
score is good but this depends on the position and
culture. Greater bluntness can be truthfulness but
can also be crass. Lesser bluntness can be political
sensitivity but also greater "looking out for one's own needs." This
variable can influence the appearance of work ethic
(e.g., Lows may be too naive. Moderate is okay. Highs
may be too deceitful/clever).
Integrity:
Integrity implies trust but it can also work
as a "brake on achievement" where a person who
wants to get ahead and beat out the competition "slows
down" because he/she feels that it is important
to do it in an ethical and reasonable fashion.
Ultimately, a superior has to count on not only
a subordinate doing the job but also doing the
job well and using good judgment. The person with
integrity knows how to compromise the sheer volume
of work with a quality and ethical job.
Work Ethic:
A Sense of duty where one takes his/her responsibilities
and commitments seriously as opposed to a
more casual approach where, "I'll do what I can but when
my shift is over, I am out of here." People with
a strong work ethic (may be ambitious or not) take
their job seriously and find it difficult to work
in a more casual or informal ("when I get to
it") fashion.
Work
Ethic - Integrity:
