The Dark Side: What Executive Assessments Should Tell You About a Leader's Derailers
Derailers are strengths that, when overused, become liabilities. For example, confidence can become arrogance when overused. High standards can become perfectionism. A highly analytical individual can be slow to act. A highly relational person can be conflict-avoidant. A highly resilient person may be unwilling to adapt to changing circumstances. Unfortunately, in interview settings, strengths often come through quite clearly. However, derailers are much more difficult to spot.
Using Psychometrics to Enhance the Executive Search Process
Many executive search firms pride themselves on moving fast. Promising a shortlist of candidates in a matter of weeks. Asking hiring teams to “trust the process,” citing gut feelings and decades in the industry to provide recommendations on which person is the best candidate for the role. This is all valuable, but it can leave some important insights on the table.