What is Your Genius? by James Ryan, Lotus Development

What is Your Genius? by James Ryan, Lotus Development

Many managers are familiar with personality assessments used in hiring or coaching employees. The vast majority of these assessments measure behavior. Knowing a person’s behavioral style is important. It unleashes vast opportunities to maximize the potential our our associates.  I use DISC Index to measure behavior. Many are familiar with the DISC profiles. They are easy to remember and we can sometimes easily peg someone as a D, I, S, or C based on observing their behavior. Myers-Briggs is another well-know behavioral assessment.

A much less well-known model is the Attribute Index bases on the work by  Dr. Robert Hartman .  I’m proud to be affiliated with Jay Niblick of Innermetrix and co-author of What’s Your Genius.  He has developed a unique assessment tool based one the work of Dr. Robert Hartman.

In contrast to the behavioral assessments, the Attribute Index reveals our decision-making styles.  Then we apply that style to our external world and our internal self.  Hartman broke down these styles into three realms:

1. The Extrinsic Dimension: The Extrinsic is concerned with practicality and doing. Tactically oriented, the pure extrinsic focuses on doing SOMETHING without consideration of the effect on people or the big picture. We might call this the Hand Dimension, characterized by the old saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s playthings.”

2. The Intrinsic Dimension: This is the Heart Dimension.  Guided by our hearts and empathy for a person’s or object’s true essence or uniqueness.

3. The Systemic Dimension: This is the Head Dimension. This dimension is concerned with ideas, thoughts, structure, procedures,  While they tend to see things in black or white, yes or no, they are also very effective at planning and measurement.

By measuring specific attributes – rather than behaviors – we uncover maximizers and potential blind spots. Armed with this knowledge managers can assign roles and duties more effectively. Self-knowledge allows us to build in support or seek development to compensate for our blind spots.

Hand, Heart or Head? Which one do you prefer and how do you maximize that strength?