Last month I took an online personality assessment, a few hundred true-false questions. According to the write-up I received from the psychologist, the Hogan Personality Inventory "... measures the 'bright side' of personality—those behaviors others see on a day-to-day basis." The Hogan Development Survey, on the other hand, highlights "dark side" traits that appear under high-stress conditions, when placed in a leadership position, etc. My HDS results, sorted from "high" to low":

• Very High

Cautious - worried about being criticized, reluctant to try new things (true, I fret over my mistakes ... I'm working on "letting go" more) * Imaginative - tendency to act in interesting, unusual, eccentric ways (guilty as charged!)

* High

Leisurely - independence, stubbornness, procrastinating tendencies (yep, I put things off) * Reserved - lacking interest in or awareness of others' feelings, indifference (I hope this isn't true, but maybe I seem that way at times)

* Average

Dutiful - pleasantness, agreeability (ok)

* Low

Colorful - dramatic, engaging, attention-seeking (this should be low in a bureaucrat, no?) * Bold - assertive, self-promoting (I am rather shy and risk averse when possible) * Excitable - moodiness, inconsistency, emotional explosiveness (avoiding drama is definitely a goal of mine)

* Very Low

Skeptical - cynicism, lack of trust, sensitive to criticism (yes, I'm optimistic and trusting by nature) * Diligent - conscientious, perfectionistic, hard to please (the low side of this trait is being relaxed and flexible, which I do value) * Mischievous - charming, impulsive, excitement-seeking (either I'm really responsible and respectful, or I have learned to fake it!)

Like the HPI, the HDS results seem reasonable but not terribly surprising. It reminds me of the Strengthsfinder survey I took a few years ago—or of the Chinese astrological characteristics of a Dragon: dignified, magnanimous, good-hearted, active, fun, happy, protective, versatile, eloquent, ...

^z - 2010-04-18