Hiring…
You’re at that point, but choosing the right employees for the right job can be a daunting task for any organisation. Hiring the wrong person for a position can lead to a range of problems, including low productivity, decreased morale, and a negative impact on team dynamics.
In order to make the best hiring decisions, it's essential to have a thorough understanding of both the job requirements and the personalities, strengths, and problem-solving methods of potential employees.
Plus, if you know the natural strengths and weaknesses of your employees, you can put them to work best suited to them and utilise their skills the best. Only what every boss wants.
So how to find out the natural strengths and weaknesses of your employees?
This is where the top 4 tools for understanding employees come in. In this article, we'll explore these tools and how they can help you make informed hiring decisions and improve overall organisational success. By using these tools, you'll gain valuable insights into the individuals you are considering for a position and how they will fit within your team and company culture.
These are mostly forms of personality tests, but they do differ and there is a lot of the tests out there. This is the ones we use and love:
PS: Do you know yourself? Do you know how you function and why? These tests are not only for your employees, they can be very revealing to you as well, so keep an open mind and go learn something about yourself as well.
Tool 1: Kolbe test
The Kolbe Test is a tool designed to measure an individual's natural problem-solving method, also known as their "modus operandi." It's based on the belief that everyone has a unique way of approaching and solving problems, and that this natural method can be harnessed to improve their performance in the workplace.
This is (as they say) the only assessment measuring how people take action.
Maybe that’s a sales pitch, but Kolbe test really tells you a lot about how you (or your employees) take action. It is particularly great for determining the roles people in your company should fill (or vet people for an open role).
The Kolbe Test consists of a series of questions that assess an individual's instincts and tendencies when faced with problems. The results of the test are used to create a profile that highlights the individual's strengths and weaknesses in different areas of problem-solving.
The benefits of using the Kolbe Test for employee understanding are numerous. Firstly, it provides valuable information for hiring and placement decisions. By understanding an individual's natural problem-solving method, you can ensure they are placed in a role that aligns with their strengths and provides an optimal environment for success. Secondly, it can improve team dynamics by highlighting the different problem-solving approaches of team members and encouraging collaboration. Lastly, it can also be used for personal development and growth, as individuals can gain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses and work to improve upon them.
Tool 2: MBTI
https://www.16personalities.com/
One of the most popular personality tests, Myers-Brigs Type Indicator is based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types and measures how individuals perceive and process information, as well as how they make decisions and interact with the world around them.
The MBTI test consists of a series of questions that assess an individual's preferences in four areas: extraversion vs. introversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, and judging vs. perceiving. Based on the results of the test, individuals are assigned a personality type, such as ISTJ or ENFP.
There are 16 total personality types on the MBTI scale and they are quite descriptive of the person. You can find out how to pair employees in teams, how to communicate with people and how to create culture that fits you, your company and your employees… or the other way around.
The MBTI is an accurate assessment and a great tool to use when you want to get to know yourself and others.
Tool 3: DiSC
The DiSC model of behavior was originally proposed by William Moulton Marston, a physiological psychologist with a Ph.D. from Harvard. His 1928 book, Emotions of Normal People, established the theories that were later expanded by many others.
The DiSC Assessment is a tool designed to measure an individual's personality and behavior style. It's based on the theory that individuals have a dominant behavior style that can be classified into four categories: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
Like other personality assessment tools, it consists of questions that asses the individual’s tendencies and preferences in different situations. The results of the test are used to create a profile that highlights the individual's dominant behavior style and provides insight into their communication, motivation, and decision-making patterns.
It is a great way to discern people who are eligible for more responsibility (leadership roles) from the ones who are better workers.
Tool 4: StrengthsFinder (now CliftonStrengths)
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths
Like you might have figured out from the title, this assessment focuses on finding the strengths in people. It's based on the belief that individuals perform best and are most fulfilled when they are using their natural talents and strengths. I share that belief.
Most tools identify areas you (or your employees) excel at, but StrengthsFinder explains it a bit better. The results of the test are used to identify the individual's top five strengths and provide a personalized report with actionable insights for development and growth.
Conclusion
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, it's essential for organizations to have a deep understanding of their employees. The tools discussed in this article - Kolbe Test, MBTI, DiSC Assessment and StrengthsFinder - are all designed to provide valuable insights into employee behavior, personality, and performance.
I am a bit of a geek when it comes to knowing the psyche…. so I used all of these (and a bunch of others). Just so there is no misunderstanding, you don’t need ALL of these tools…
You need to know yourself and you do need to find out who is the best fit for your company and the work position, but in most cases, one of these tools will be enough to give you a great deal of insight. Just pick one, test it on yourself and if you like the data, use it as a tool to build a better company. Any other use is a hobby (like I have) 😀.
Now go and use this knowledge!