Chapter 2

Individual differences exert a profound effect on job performance and behavior.

Key sources of individual differences on the job are personality, mental ability, values, and emotional intelligence.

An example of individual differences is the ability to concentrate on work.

Personality

Refers to persistent and enduring behavior patterns and tend to be expressed in a wide variety of situations.

8 Major Personality Traits and Factors

1. Neuroticism (emotional stability)2. Extraversion (need for social stimulation)3. Openness to Experience (curious)4. Agreeableness (courteous and friendly)5. Conscientiousness (reliable)6. Self-monitoring (saying what people want

to hear)7. Risk taking and thrill seeking8. Optimism

Conscientiousness

The trait most consistently related to success on the job.

Organization Self-restraint Persistence Goal orientation

When might it interfere with job success?

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

Gathering Information

Sensation type people Prefer routine and order Search for precise details

Intuitive type people Prefer overall perspective Dislike routine Prefer to look for possibilities

Evaluating Information

Feeling type people Need to conform to wishes of others

Thinking type people Rely on reason and intellect to problem solve Downplay emotion

Careers and the Four Problem Solving StylesSensation/ThinkingDecisive, dependable, alert todetailsAccountingBookkeepingComputer ProgrammingManufacturing Tech.

Sensation/FeelingPractical, analytical, methodical, conscientiousSupervisionSellingNegotiating

Intuitive/ThinkingCreative, progressive, PerceptiveSystems designLaw, paralegal workMiddle management

Intuitive/FeelingColorful, people-oriented,HelpfulCustomer serviceBusiness CommunicationHuman resources

Intelligence

The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.

Traditional Intelligence

Verbal comprehension Word fluency Numerical acuity Spatial perception Memory Perceptual speed Inductive reasoning

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Analytical School smart—can do math, language,

problem solving Creative

Imaginative—can combine things in novel ways

Practical Common sense, wisdom, street smarts

—can adapt environment to suit his/her needs

Multiple Intelligence Theory

Linguistic Logical-mathematical Musical Spatial Bodily/kinesthetic Intrapersonal Interpersonal Naturalist

Emotional Intelligence

Refers to qualities such as understanding one’s feelings, empathy for others, and regulation of emotion to enhance living.

Four Factors of Emotional Intelligence

1. Self-awareness2. Self-management3. Social awareness4. Relationship

management

Value Definition

The importance a person attaches to something

Ethics

Moral choices a person makes

Value Stereotypes

Baby Boomers 1946-64

Generation X1961-80

Generation Y1981-2002

Tolerates teams but values independent

work

Teamwork very important

Teamwork very important

Strong career orientation

Strives for work/family balance

but will work long hours for now

Strives for work/family balance

Seeks long-termemployment

Will accept long-term job if situation

is right

Each job is a stepping stone to a better job in another company.

Uses technology as necessary tool Techno-savvy Techno-savvy

Favors diplomacyCandid in

conversationUltracandid in conversation

Clarifying Your Values

Self-Assessment Quiz 2-3 Rank the values in order 1-20. Most important value = 1 Least important value =20 Write your own value for “Other”

Person-role conflict

When the demands made by the organization (or boss) clash with the values of the worker

Example: worker is told to portray competitor’s product as poor, when worker knows the product is very good

Example: worker leaves weight-loss company because they mislead clients into believing weight loss will be permanent

Values

Intangible, abstract

Many values are a question of opinion, not a right vs. wrong statement

Try to respect differences in values as a powerful way to avoid conflict.