Skip to content

Lisa Dunbar, CEO

Self-monitoring Psychology 101: Finding a Balance Between Adaptability and Authenticity

self monitoring psychology

Imagine yourself at a job interview, and the interviewer asks you this question: “At our organization, we rely on daily, in-person meetings to check in on tasks and progress. How does that align with your style?”  The truth? You prefer asynchronous, email check-ins to daily, in-person meetings.  So, how do you respond?  Do you say that style works for you because you need the job and you are willing to adapt to the new situation? Or do you answer honestly and say that is the opposite of what you prefer?  Your response in this situation speaks to a subtle yet… Read More »Self-monitoring Psychology 101: Finding a Balance Between Adaptability and Authenticity

Is Personality Nature or Nurture: Understanding the Layers of Personality

image of coworkers collaborating, representing the concept of whether personality is shaped by nature or nurture

“Does nature or nurture determine your personality?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the personality assessment industry.  To answer that question, let’s talk about cake. If we whisked only eggs and flour together, can we call it cake? No, because there’s still a lot missing—butter, spices, milk, and flavors. These ingredients are mixed together to give us a full representation of the cake, and many of them add to the full cake experience.  It’s the same with your personality.  Based on experience and research, we believe it’s incredibly helpful, yet incomplete to define personality based on a… Read More »Is Personality Nature or Nurture: Understanding the Layers of Personality

Are Big Five Tests Worth It? Honest Review of Cost and ROI

A group of co workers

One major consideration before investing in a new tool for your business is the return on investment (ROI). It can be easier to determine the ROI on tangible assets like upgrading equipment or a new automated marketing system.  But what about personality assessments?  When used correctly, personality assessments can help you improve workplace culture, leading to lower turnover rates and higher retention. It can also be instrumental in the hiring process and pairing the right person in the right position.   One option to consider is the WorkPlace Big Five Profileᵀᴹ. The Big Five (also known as the Five-Factor Model of personality)… Read More »Are Big Five Tests Worth It? Honest Review of Cost and ROI

7 Big CEO Succession Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

image representing coworkers thinking about assessment tools for leadership roles

When Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985, the company’s once-thriving profit margins took a nosedive. Within a year, Apple found itself on the brink of insolvency, losing over a billion dollars. When Jobs returned, he swiftly turned the company’s fortunes around, implementing a robust management structure and cultural norms that still define Apple today. As another expert put it, Jobs had to “revamp” the company.  The cost of failed CEO succession is simply too great to ignore. We’re talking nearly a trillion dollars annually for the S&P 1500 alone. Yet companies often make critical mistakes in CEO succession planning, from… Read More »7 Big CEO Succession Planning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Can You Really Change Your Personality? Understanding the Three Factors That Can Shift Your Personality

Everyone remembers Bill Murray’s character, Phil Connors, in the movie “Groundhog Day”. Phil finds himself trapped in a time loop; he’s forced to relive the same day – February 2 – repeatedly. Over the course of the time loop, and movie, Phil transforms from self-centered and cynical into a more empathetic and proactive person, ultimately making a life decision that Phil, at the beginning of the story, would probably have never made. Although life is never like it is in the movies, there’s a larger question at play – do our personalities change over time? Or even – do we… Read More »Can You Really Change Your Personality? Understanding the Three Factors That Can Shift Your Personality

Leadership Superpowers: Connection & Well-Being

Leadership is not for the faint of heart. It beckons you to grow and stretch in ways that are unknown until you are in the thick of it and question whether you’re really doing it right.  Leaders have a far greater impact on the well-being

One Thing No One Wants to Talk About: Boredom

It can happen to all of us at some point in our careers. Sometimes, there’s just no spark in our workday. We can be quick to call it burnout. But it might be boredom. I’ve been there. In my case, it was a new job at the beginning of my career. I wanted to contribute and have interesting work, but first, I needed to learn the boring-to-me administrative ropes of the role before I was sent off for training. In the training program, I knew I’d learn the exciting elements that represented learning, growth, and the accomplishment of being a professional. I needed patience. In the meantime, I was bored.

Make Engagement Personal

Organizations are facing unprecedented challenges in finding talent. Once people are hired, the next hurdle is ensuring that they stay, are interested in their work, and contribute to organizational goals. In other words, organizations need to keep employees engaged.