Am I impatient or am I action-oriented?
Am I impulsive or am I an expedient decision-maker?
Most of us have relatively consistent character traits. However, the environments in which we operate vary.
When we’re aligned with our environment our character traits are assets. When we’re not aligned, they’re liabilities.
The next time you interview someone, ask them to name one or two of their character traits.
Present them with situations in which their traits could be a liability.
How would they manage those situations?
What would they do to increase their likelihood of success?
The next time you’re asked about your strengths and weaknesses try answering in the same way. It usually sparks a far more enlightening conversation!
Hi Steve!
It's funny you should say that because my original approach to this was self awareness + situational awareness.
You are so right - if you're not clear on your traits, biases, etc., it's going to be impossible to navigate situations accurately.
Ann
Posted by: ann michael | October 11, 2007 at 08:36 AM
Ann, thanks for highlighting the environment/asset-liability relationship.
Your post also implies the importance of having an accurate self-awareness. Without taking the time to discover one's strengths, weaknesses, and the best contexts for both, a person can be talented and never land in a place that will help fulfill their potential.
Keep writing...
Posted by: Steve Roesler | October 11, 2007 at 01:53 AM
Good Morning, Liz!
I actually enjoy doing this when I'm being interviewed. You get to learn a lot about what the interviewer thinks is important - which implies a bit about the culture of the organization as well. Fun stuff!
Posted by: ann michael | October 10, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Excellent advice. It makes wish I had an interview -- just for the fun of the conversation.
Posted by: Liz Strauss | October 10, 2007 at 05:06 AM